I have a 1999 bayou 220 that I finally have to put new front tires on. What is a good method to break the beads and get the new tires to seal the bead? Really don't want to pay a tire shop to do it. Bad enough I can't find any used tires,going to have to spend more money than I paid for the machine for tires ($100) .

 

Not sure on easiest way to break bead but I used a few tire irons and some soapy spray, working around the rim, pry the bead down as much as possible, spray some soapy water on that spot and move over a few inches and repeat. Eventually it broke free.

Same on the other side.

Then spoon the tire off, keeping the bead area sprayed down. Probably some good youtube videos on the subject.

Also, replace the valve stems while you have access to them.

And, buff or sand the rim sealing surface smooth otherwise you may have a bead leak after seating.

On my GMC truck I broke tire beads by removing wheel and placing the bead under the wheel rotor and lowering the jack slowly until the bead broke but have to be very careful not to damage rim. I actually took a 2x6 and cut a partial circle out which was the same shape as the rim and placed that between the rotor and tire to spread the load on the tire.

 

i Fully Understand your desire to save money. BUT you may be money ahead spending the $10 at the tire shop. Through the years we have knocked off and replaced tires many times and it can be a real pain in the ***! Especially when your makeshift tire tool slips and tares into the bead of the new tire LOL.

P.S. You got a photo of that $100 machine?

 

I change tires on all my personal ATVs, and the the ones I rebuild. It is a lot of work, even with the right tools.

That said, it is Very Difficult to unseat the tire from the bead on ATV wheels. There is a big lip in there, which keeps the tire on the wheel, even when you drive on it with no pressure in the tire.

I bought a Bead-Buster tool, which grabs the rim of the wheel, and pushes on the tire sidewall very close to the rim. Usually I need this tool to break the bead. I agree with MrSummit that the sealing area of the wheel must be clean and undamaged for a good seal. If it is steel, I will sand off any rust and paint it. If aluminum, I will remove any gouges caused by over-zealous tire mounters. Sometimes, I will put Slime on the tire bead when mounting to help seal the rim.

If you go to a tire shop without experience with ATV tires, they are often unable to break the bead on ATV wheels/tires, due to the softness of the sidewall. Automotive tire machines are powerful, but often do not work.

 

Sorry for the slow reply. I ended up just taking the tires to the tire shop. Funny thing is our outdoor power specialty atv/utv/motorcycle shop didn't even have a machine to change tires. $20 later, two new tires on rims!! here's a picture as you requested:

 

Sweet. The photo looks like home...