Hi 76Barnfind, Changing tires is a lot of hard work. Yes they fit very tight. Correct tire irons are a must. Rim locks (tyre security bolt as Triumph calls them) make the job even tougher. Taking to shop is fine if you don't want to do it. Why not pay to have someone do it, nothing wrong with that. I was talking to fellow at cycle gear he'd never done an old Triumph before. The old guys knew how to do them though.
Have shop balance rear wheel while they have it. Insist they do. May be extra charge. Balancing both wheels really calms bike at higher speeds 60-70 mph+. Depending on how far out of balance it is makes a huge difference on highway. I know shop manual says rear balance isn't needed. I don't agree with that. Front defiantly needs good
balance.
I've done a lot of Triumph tires. Every time I do one, I learn something to make it easier. With some practice, not big deal, even though it's hard work.
Genuine Motion Pro tire irons are my irons of choice. Having correct irons make a huge difference. 2 sets are most helpful. At least a 2nd long black one. Polish both ends well to make them very smooth. Cut corners off of plastic oil bottles to make pads to protect rims so irons don't mar them.
Motion Pro Assorted Tire Irons - Cycle Gear
Mark valve stem hole so you don't put lock or stem in wrong hole.
Here's how I take out rim locks. Put PVC tube 1" or 1-1/4" on rim to hold bead up. Reach in with curved iron & push opposite bead down. Or reach around use small iron to hold bead back against far rim side. Push lock into tire. Reach into tire with 2 fingers & lift out lock. It will work through the gap if you wiggle it right. Going back in is opposite. Going in with new tire is harder as new tire beads really want to stay flat together. This can also be used to easily install valve stem into rim. Install nuts on lock bolts & valve stem a few turns only at this time.
Use a bright flashlight going on. Look at tire bead/rim area. You must be able to see iron will not pinch tube. There is no excuse to pinch tube. Look & verify tube is not getting pinched.
Use plenty of lube. Keep far side of tire bead in drop center where spokes are. There is no reason to over stretch tire & tear a bead. Start last side of tire opposite valve stem. Work evenly side to side towards valve stem. Finish at valve stem. The rim locks keep pushed into tire. Tube will easily compress to allow this. The tire bead will fit in drop center next to shaft of rim lock as you go. Put a little more air in tube to move beads to rim. Verify tube is not trapped in tire bead/rim interface. Verify valve stem is straight & true out of rim. Again push bolt of rim lock forcing lock into tire. Finally fill tube fully to bead tire. Verify bead looks fully seated both sides. Let most the air out. Yet again push rim lock inwards. Let it pop out. Verify bolt is straight showing lock is centered over beads. Now run nuts down. We never want nuts to center locks or stems. You want those centered before you tighten nuts. When all looks good, final tighten nuts.
Leap frog your irons going back on. Just a little at a time. An inch or so especially as you get around far enough for bead to start getting tight. I hold irons with my knees. I like to work on blanket spread out on lawn. Easier on your knees. An assistant to help hold irons as you go is very helpful.
Slightly inflate tube before installing tube. How much?? It takes some experiments depending on tire size. I'll post photo to give a clue. You want it just hold its shape.
Practice makes perfect. Tip on tight fitting tires like Roadriders use spray furniture polish as lube. I use Pledge as that's what my wife buys. I don't know that brand matters. I've never seen Roadrider tire slip from using polish. They may never bead up without the polish. I have real tire mounting lube. Didn't help. Needed Pledge to bead it. Even then took 55#. K70s fit much easier. Normal tire lube from tire shop works well.
Next tire I'll get some better photos. I'll try to video it.
Some put rim strip over rim locks. I've never done that. Factory never did that. It might work better?
Don