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That's a front tire. Change a back tire and come back and tell us how that went.
I did the rear on my wifes 2022 Heritage today and it was a piece of cake, but the pulley had to be removed (no biggie). Removing the rotor would have given me the ability to use the locking bar, but I chose to just use the strap that they include for changing tires on spoke wheels.
10,564 miles, Could have got more miles, but she wore the center flat and it's nearly to the wear bars.
I just got a Rabaconda tire changer last week. I have the stock rims from my 2013 Electra Glide with bald tires on them so I decided to remove them first as a trial. They were both American Elites and went smooth. Then I moved on to my rear wheel on my 2018 Limited. It had the Harley branded Dunlop on it and I had some trouble getting it started. I had to use a pipe over the 16" tire iron to get enough leverage to start the tire but once started there was no problem. Mounting the new American Elite went smooth too. It is a bit on the expensive side but I like to be able to change tires on my schedule instead of trying to fit in an appointment somewhere else. Since this doesn't need to be bolted down the the floor, I was able to put it away in its bag and store it on a shelf. The storage bag is a little smaller than the storage bag for an easy up canopy that I have. I'm happy with the purchase.
I've had a No-Mar Jr Pro manual tire changer for over 10 years. I purchased a Rabaconda about six months ago since I was curious about this new manual tire machine. Tried it for the first time yesterday. First impression. I didn't like it. I was working on a 17" HD Ultra front tire with dual spoke mount rotors. Not sure what I may have been doing incorrectly, but the rotors seem to hit the machine. I believe the magnetic blocks need to be slightly taller. The rotors on this wheel also have those chrome caps on the floating hardware fasteners. Did a quick Google search, and I wasn't able to find any video of a HD front wheel with spoke mount rotors with a tire being mounted/dismounted on a Rabaconda. Can someone tell me what I may have been doing incorrectly and/or point me to a video?
Wow, now this is great customer support!
I called the Rabaconda customer service number and spoke with someone that was aware of the exact problem I was having. The engineers have been working on a solution and they are going to send me free of charge some type of block that has an adjustable height. They are still testing and trying to figure out how to market this new block. Do they just include it with every kit or sell it as an accessory.
Last edited by LQQK_OUT; Jul 9, 2024 at 11:24 AM.
Reason: Contacted Rabaconda, an update
I've had a No-Mar Jr Pro manual tire changer for over 10 years. I purchased a Rabaconda about six months ago since I was curious about this new manual tire machine. Tried it for the first time yesterday. First impression. I didn't like it. I was working on a 17" HD Ultra front tire with dual spoke mount rotors. Not sure what I may have been doing incorrectly, but the rotors seem to hit the machine. I believe the magnetic blocks need to be slightly taller. The rotors on this wheel also have those chrome caps on the floating hardware fasteners. Did a quick Google search, and I wasn't able to find any video of a HD front wheel with spoke mount rotors with a tire being mounted/dismounted on a Rabaconda. Can someone tell me what I may have been doing incorrectly and/or point me to a video?
Wow, now this is great customer support!
I called the Rabaconda customer service number and spoke with someone that was aware of the exact problem I was having. The engineers have been working on a solution and they are going to send me free of charge some type of block that has an adjustable height. They are still testing and trying to figure out how to market this new block. Do they just include it with every kit or sell it as an accessory.
I've had a No-Mar Jr Pro manual tire changer for over 10 years. I purchased a Rabaconda about six months ago since I was curious about this new manual tire machine. Tried it for the first time yesterday. First impression. I didn't like it. I was working on a 17" HD Ultra front tire with dual spoke mount rotors. Not sure what I may have been doing incorrectly, but the rotors seem to hit the machine. I believe the magnetic blocks need to be slightly taller. The rotors on this wheel also have those chrome caps on the floating hardware fasteners. Did a quick Google search, and I wasn't able to find any video of a HD front wheel with spoke mount rotors with a tire being mounted/dismounted on a Rabaconda. Can someone tell me what I may have been doing incorrectly and/or point me to a video?
Wow, now this is great customer support!
I called the Rabaconda customer service number and spoke with someone that was aware of the exact problem I was having. The engineers have been working on a solution and they are going to send me free of charge some type of block that has an adjustable height. They are still testing and trying to figure out how to market this new block. Do they just include it with every kit or sell it as an accessory.
They sent me those spacer blocks, and they cured the problem I was having.
It's easy enough to dig mine out and get some pics for you, so here you go.
These are the spacer blocks. The ones they sent me are not adjustable height, but work very well. The slip onto the downtube of the stand, then you tighten them into place.
Another thing I did was get a longer tire iron. Mine is 24" and I got it from Amazon. The additional leverage makes it substantially easier to get the tire over the rim of the wheel when you are on that step of the tire removal process.
Here's the link, but I don't see the 24" version anymore. I guess you would need to decide between the 20 and 28 inch.
I bought one... I set it up, and used it once on a cast wheel that had the rotors removed, because I was replacing them.
Looking at it, it sure looked like the height of those blocks would not clear the brake rotor (or belt drive sprocket, I forget which one) if I hadn't removed them for replacement..
Additionally, I have two bikes with spoke wheels. I am not thrilled with their method of wrapping a strap around one spoke, to take all the pressure of holding the wheel in place while mounting/dismounting a stiff tire (I use American Elites).
I decided to save to get a pneumatic tire changer, that clamps on the rim itself, to hold it in place..
I was hesitant to sell my Rabaconda tire changer, because I didn't want to burden anyone with a piece of equipment that I found substandard...
I think I'll contact Rabaconda for a set of those new adjustable blocks. Then I can sell this thing with a clear conscience...
It just doesn't give me confidence on my spoked wheels...
I've done a couple and it worked fine. If the tool is properly used there is very little stress placed on the spoke. It took me 3 or 4 tire changes to get to the "properly used" level. The trick is to use lots of the grease that include in the kit.
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