Modern Vespa

The last time I had my tires changed, the kid who did it made a mess of my wheel rims. What tool do I need to get to break the tire bead so that this doesn't happen again?

Are there any other specific tools I should get so that tire changes are easier?

http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/bead-breaker/motorcycle-tire-bead-breaker.htm

I used wood clamps called quick clamps, it was a lot of work, but I got them off.

I just found this Motorcycle Tire Bead Breaker at http://www.stopngo.com/motorcycle.asp and am assuming it will work ... right? It says it works on tires that are 160 and smaller.

I have used the bead breaker from RiderWearHouse for my last two scooter tire changes and many motorcycle tire changes, it works well.
http://www.aerostich.com/prevent-or-repair/tire-repair/tire-repair-tools/beadbrakr-kit.html

This one is intended as a carry along bead breaker for the Iron Butt riders out there, and it might be a lower cost option. I have not used it myself.
http://www.aerostich.com/prevent-or-repair/tire-repair/bead-popper.html

You will need a way to protect the rim after the bead is broken when you are using the tire irons (the bigger the better) to remove the tire from rim.
http://www.aerostich.com/prevent-or-repair/tire-repair/tire-repair-tools/plastic-rim-saver.html

Tire-Slick Bead Lube http://www.tireslick.com/page12.html makes this process much easier.

I just walk the bead off. It takes a little doing, but with a good pair of boots, you can walk the bead off with no damage to the wheels and no damage to your feet.
Then, with a set of Teflon tipped tire irons, you can remove the tire, without marring the wheels.
Installation is a snap with a dab of tire soap around the bead.

I change my own tires and one of the main reasons is the problem that you are having with careless workers who scratch & bugger up your rims. I use the Harbor Freight portable tire changer that has a built-in bead breaker. It is easy to use and very efficient.
Here's a link to a thread that shows my setup:
Harbor Freight Tire Changer/Motorcycle Tire Adapter (Post 718407)

*If you only want to use the bead breaker part of the changer, the basic machine is only $60 + freight. Here's the link: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=34542

The rim is most likely getting scratched from a tire iron when mounting rather than from breaking the bead. Even if you broke the bead for him you may still see the same result. he should be using rim savers, nylon lip covers that take the leverage so your powdercoat stays fresh and clean.

Is a rim saver a separate item that fits on the rim, or a cover for the tire iron? Can they be purchased? Do they go by some other name (a quick Google search didn't yield much)?

perfect tool for the job. may i suggest you get 2-3 as it will make breaking the bead easy putting them about 30 degrees apart then tightening them alittle each.

the best tool for the job is a no-mar tire changer. http://www.nomartirechanger.com/products/1

you can also get a balancer from them

This looks nearly identical to the model we use in the shop, but a different brand.

Here's ours:

http://www.cyclehilltirechanger.com/

It's very durable. Made in the USA, and very reasonably priced.

Here is a picture of the rim-savers I was referring to earlier:



They fit over the lip and protect against prying. The tire changer I mentioned above has nylon tips on everything that actually touches the wheel, so they're not necessary. Rim savers help when using tire irons like these:

Thanks for the explanation. What I'm concerned about is protecting reflective wheel stripes when tires are being changed. It looks like rim savers are the ticket.

Years ago, I went to purchase a used car tire at this junk tire shop and the owner / operator used a novel technique to SEAL the bead on the tire when he mounted it. He poured a little gas in the tire and dropped a match inside and POW, the explosion sealed the bead.

I went back a month later with my neighbor who was looking to purchased a tire and we found that the ENTIRE STRIP MALL HAD BURNED FLAT. Somebody mentioned that it started in the tire shop and they couldn't put it out.

Recently, I was at another small tire shop and told the story. The old man working there said he could top that one. Evidently there was a cousin of the owner of a tire shop years ago that was extremely lazy. He took twice as long to change tires and do anything. Did everything SITTING DOWN. Owner got pissed and took all the stools and chairs out of the shop. But that didn't stop him. He started sitting on tires to do his work.
One day, he was sitting on a huge truck tire and filling it with air at the same time. Well the bead popped and grabbed his balls......................................

OUCH!!!! He was formerly a Baritone, now sings Soprano????

While vacationing in Mexico, I had a flat and the guys in a garage outside of Vallarta, made the same bead seal using gasoline. Scared the crap out of me, but it really worked.

Thanks very much Drew, I think I am going to place an order for the tire changer as well as for two new rims. I think I will have my used ones re-sprayed and will keep them as spares so that when I have to swap the tires out, I won't have a lot of down time and will always have mounted tires on hand.

I use a Harbor freight Mini tire changer.
But in a pinch I have used my shop vice or a C clamp to break a bead.
A length of scrap wood aids in breaking the opposite bead while not maring the rim.