Old, Stiff, Cracked, Unpliable, etc, etc...would not be pried off the rim with tire irons, heat it up with a heat gun til it smoked to get it more pliable, plenty of soapy water. Had to pinch the tire with a clamp to get it to move toward the opposite side bead. I must be doing this wrong.
I finally had to cut the bead to get the tire off the rim, is there a better way?

Me? I just take it to my mate who I play cricket with and who has his own tyre fitting business. Free removal and fitment of the new tyre whilst I chat to his dad about old bikes and his days racing back in South Africa/Zimbabwe (he moved over here to the UK a long while back).

I had to do the same for removing the original tires from my CT2, just so stiff from all those years on the bike.

Same here, I cut old tires off. I don't worry about the tubes, new tires get new tubes and rim strips. I use a box cutter type knife with good sharp blade. Cut the side wall around the tire both sides. Usually the bead that's left comes off pretty easy. If not there's the bolt cutters. To me this saves a lot of wear and tear on rims.

Whoa. For second there I thought I was reading another Birthday Card.

I was able to change the front but gave up and took the rear into the local shop. $38 for new tube and mount and balance. Seemed like a good deal after an hour of knuckle busting!