Dumb question, maybe you experts can tell me how to easily, if you can, remove the stock rubber from the rims of a Sportsman and put on new stuff. I don't feel like hauling them into the tire shop to have it done on a machine. But if I really have to, I will. Any recommendations?

 

Easily? By hand?

Not in the cards, man; especially if you're inexperienced.

My suggestion: take 'em to the shop; don't be too surprised if the rims are slightly bent in the operation if a machine is used.

Tree Farmer

 

It is worth the $ to have a tire store mount your new tires! It can really be a bitch without a tire machine.

 

It is worth the $ to have a tire store mount your new tires! It can really be a bitch without a tire machine.

 

It really depends on the tire. I took my stock tires off and installed Vamps on my stock wheels using a $30 manual tire changer from Northern Tools (formerly Northern Hydraulics). The Vamps are such a tough, heavy tire I expected a real fight and it wasn’t bad at all. Then I removed the Vamps and tried to install Kenda Bear Claws, a much lighter, softer tire, and almost destroyed a rear rim before giving up and taking them to the tire store.

One tip, make sure the tires are warm, even hot before you try changing them by hand. And I wouldn’t attempt it without the aid of some kind of changing tool, and I don’t mean just tire “spoons.”

 

It is worth the $ to have a tire store mount your new tires! It can really be a bitch without a tire machine.

 

It is worth the $ to have a tire store mount your new tires! It can really be a bitch without a tire machine.

 

Swac, I am too cheeeeep to have a tire store do it. I have a tire iron that comes down and has an oversized u bend at the bottom. It is a regular tire iron, that any tire shop would have. I soap up the bead and put the foot of the iron next to but not touching the rim. I then hit the tire iron at the U bend with an 8 pound sledge. I also wear gloves, as this will sometimes sting your bare hand. The new tire irons have sharp corners on the foot end. Be sure to round them off with a file or grinder, because the sharp edges will chip the paint of the wheel. I have never had this fail. Sometimes you may have to hit it more than once, just move 1/2 inch to the side and hit it again. Even if it does not look like you are gaining, you will be. I wish I had a picture of the iron, but if you Go to a tire shop, there is only 1 bar that has a place to hit and a foot to go under the rim to push the bead off. Dave

 

i was told buy a mec. that it was like trying to pull your bottom lip over your head if you tryed to take them off by hand.

 

Hey, I tried pulling my bottom lift over my head, everything was okay until I ran into my ears. I think there going in to the shop for sure. I don't want to mess up a new set of rims. Jeez I wish Polaris would outfit their SP 500 with 12" rear rims, that way I wouldn't have to hunt all over the country for a set of 12-7" 4/156 rims that I finally found at Dycorp for a reasonable price. Anyone else have any ideas or recommendations where to get Polaris rear rims...
The fronts are fine, their 12" stock, but them rears, aargh, 10"....