Lets talk tire changing machines
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 575
Likes: 3
From: Maryland
I don't think it's anything to be bothered about. Everybody has their own DIY threshold of what they want to do themselves. Plus, if you have access to a good local shop, it's not a bad idea to throw them some easy work when you can. For me, it's all part of my hobby activities.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,358
Likes: 220
From: Dallas
I bought the No-Mar Classic tire changer and it was awesome. I used to track sport bikes so I was swapping tires pretty regularly and it more than paid for itself. After moving on from that and over to cruisers I didn't have any need for it and sold it for close to damn near what I bought it for. I figure for how long it takes to use up a set of cruiser tires I'll just pay a shop to do it. But if you are gonna buy one the No-Mar gets my vote.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,494
From: Decatur, Alabama
I've got the Cycle Hill tire changer. To better break down beads, I put 4x4 pieces of wood under the tire. This tire changer holds a rim fairly well and won't scratch it. However; I have trouble getting a new tire on from about the 2/3rds mark. I leave my disc brake rotor on when I change tires and this makes it hard to lever the bead over the rim because the lever is up kind of high. I solved the problem by buying a couple of tire spoons. Now the last little bit goes over super easy. I also use a couple of Harbor Freight wooden clamps to clamp the tire down in the bead well (Make them look like giant clothespins).
It's pretty handy for holding a tire and breaking down the bead but for levering the bead onto the rim, not so much. Spoons are much nicer.
If you don't have a Rockwell Jawhorse, get one of them too. You can clamp a tire in it and shine your spokes up real nice without bending over. I clean mine with a shoe lace dipped in a solution of Comet and water.
carl
It's pretty handy for holding a tire and breaking down the bead but for levering the bead onto the rim, not so much. Spoons are much nicer.
If you don't have a Rockwell Jawhorse, get one of them too. You can clamp a tire in it and shine your spokes up real nice without bending over. I clean mine with a shoe lace dipped in a solution of Comet and water.
carl
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 13,456
Likes: 10,452
From: Sunshine State
I don't think it's anything to be bothered about. Everybody has their own DIY threshold of what they want to do themselves. Plus, if you have access to a good local shop, it's not a bad idea to throw them some easy work when you can. For me, it's all part of my hobby activities.
I have to wonder where you're comin from. Good for you that you break your tires down, I always thought much easier to grab the indy's help unless I was out on the road and had no choice but to do it myself. The other side is, why wouldn't you just ride to the indy for the tire change unless you were in a major overhaul of the scoot and wanted tires? I'm guessin you're setup with a full blown shop which wouldn't be applicable for most in here.
Try to concentrate on offerin input to those in need of it, and less to those that offer same thng unless they're dead wrong.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 575
Likes: 3
From: Maryland
Huh? Op original post said, 'I really don't want to take wheel and tire to dealer or indy as I don't think that's right'.
I have to wonder where you're comin from. Good for you that you break your tires down, I always thought much easier to grab the indy's help unless I was out on the road and had no choice but to do it myself. The other side is, why wouldn't you just ride to the indy for the tire change unless you were in a major overhaul of the scoot and wanted tires? I'm guessin you're setup with a full blown shop which wouldn't be applicable for most in here.
Try to concentrate on offerin input to those in need of it, and less to those that offer same thng unless they're dead wrong.
I have to wonder where you're comin from. Good for you that you break your tires down, I always thought much easier to grab the indy's help unless I was out on the road and had no choice but to do it myself. The other side is, why wouldn't you just ride to the indy for the tire change unless you were in a major overhaul of the scoot and wanted tires? I'm guessin you're setup with a full blown shop which wouldn't be applicable for most in here.
Try to concentrate on offerin input to those in need of it, and less to those that offer same thng unless they're dead wrong.
I'm sure not going to tell someone what to concentrate on, or whether or not they should change their own tires, it's their choice.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,384
Likes: 1,776
From: Central Texas
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,097
Likes: 4,676
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
That's a big reason I got the tire machine, got to where my wrists and back would hurt bad trying to wrestle tires with tire irons on a wheel on the floor. Easy with the changer, but I figure it's just giving me a few more years. Get so bad I can't even use that, probably be about the end of riding days anyway. I suppose it's some kind of obsession, wanting to do my own tires so much.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 198
Likes: 17
From: Central Coast California
Back in the late 70's and 80's I changed my Gold Wing tires with tire irons on the floor of my shop. Time consuming but doable.
Got out of motorcycling for a few years.
Now I'm back and still prefer to do all my own work. But a couple of years ago I bought the No-Mar Pro tire changer. A little pricy, yes. But I'm a tool nut and don't care if it ever pays for itself.
So far I've changed a few tires for friends and the rear on my Sportster. Easiest I've ever had it. Also bought the Marc Parnes balancer. Frankly I don't trust anyone else to be as careful with maintenance on my stuff as I am.
Got out of motorcycling for a few years.
Now I'm back and still prefer to do all my own work. But a couple of years ago I bought the No-Mar Pro tire changer. A little pricy, yes. But I'm a tool nut and don't care if it ever pays for itself.
So far I've changed a few tires for friends and the rear on my Sportster. Easiest I've ever had it. Also bought the Marc Parnes balancer. Frankly I don't trust anyone else to be as careful with maintenance on my stuff as I am.