Tire Changer
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,813
Likes: 6
From: Rio Grande Valley-Texas
Here is the changer, balancer and floor press. Its a standard 30 ton shop press and I use soft 2x4 blocks to protect the rims. Have been thinking about making some out of UHMW but haven't gotten around to it yet. It is a 2 person operation when breaking the bead. I hold the tire/rim and have my daughter pump the jack, works like a charm. Mojo Lever to mount/dismount!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
My experiences closely follow Nerider2. You will need the tire changer and MC-wheel adapter, as well as rubber lube (e.g., RuGlide), some cut-up plastic containers (milk, soda, etc.) and/or rim protectors to protect the rims, tire irons for MC's, and stick-on weights. The HF MC adapter is usually $60 but goes on sale periodically for about $40, so if you aren't in a hurry keep watching the sale catalogs. The tire changer also goes on sale fairly frequently.
We also bought the Marc Parnes balancer and Mitch Patrie's Mojolever. The latter isn't essential but with its nylon tips makes the job easier by not requiring you to use the cut-up plastic sections as much.
Here is a good tutorial on changing MC tires.
We got four guys together and bought this stuff collectively, which means you'll pay for your share after the first tire change. Buy the tire from Ron Ayers or some other discount on-line outfit and you won't go back to the dealer for tires.
We also bought the Marc Parnes balancer and Mitch Patrie's Mojolever. The latter isn't essential but with its nylon tips makes the job easier by not requiring you to use the cut-up plastic sections as much.
Here is a good tutorial on changing MC tires.
We got four guys together and bought this stuff collectively, which means you'll pay for your share after the first tire change. Buy the tire from Ron Ayers or some other discount on-line outfit and you won't go back to the dealer for tires.
Last edited by iclick; Feb 15, 2009 at 03:20 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 7
From: Daytona, Fla.
There is a fellow name Mitch who makes a really trick set of nylon pieces that cover the clamps of the HF unit so they don't scratch your wheels. He also makes a great bar for removing and installing the tire also with nylon ends. I've been using it for years and it is really slick. If you need any help with changing tires or balancing let me know. I've done hundreds of them 
Here are some links to Mitch's parts: Bar HF Covers
Marc
Here are some links to Mitch's parts: Bar HF Covers
Marc
I tried a Nomar bar before the Mojobar. Not too successful. Probably should try to sell it......<shrug>
Anyway, Harbor Freight to break the bead/hold the wheel, Mojobar to mount/demount, & your balancer! What more could you need?......
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
We use rim protectors. Ours came from Dennis Kirk and you'll need three, so order two packs of two. You might be able to find these locally at a shop that caters to dirt bikes.
Yes, they've worked fine for us.
We bought the Mojolever, described in my last post, but haven't had a chance to use it yet. In the past we generally just used tire irons, which isn't difficult if you have a helper and RuGlide. Don't even try to mount a tire without lubricant! To protect the rim we use the cut-up plastic pieces between the rim and the tire irons.
There is a learning curve to doing this and the first time will be full of rough going, but in time you'll get into a groove on it. For any serious biker who changes a tire at least once per year should invest in his/her own tire-changing equipment, and going in with a group of guys is the best option, IMO. This way you do it more often and remain fresh on the procedure, as otherwise you'll forget a lot of the details. Working with tires is sort of like wrestling, as you're dealing with an object that doesn't want to be mounted on the rim and you must persuade it to do otherwise. It's kind of fun, actually, as you feel like you've accomplished something.
Before investing in the equipment we attended a tire-changing "party" at a friend's house. He is located in another town nearby, but not close enough to use his stuff routinely, so we attended a session and took photos. That helped a lot when we first got started. The tutorial link I posted earlier is good and I can send the photos to anyone who's interested.
...does it still grip the wheel enough to keep from sliding around?
are you using spoons instead of a bar?
There is a learning curve to doing this and the first time will be full of rough going, but in time you'll get into a groove on it. For any serious biker who changes a tire at least once per year should invest in his/her own tire-changing equipment, and going in with a group of guys is the best option, IMO. This way you do it more often and remain fresh on the procedure, as otherwise you'll forget a lot of the details. Working with tires is sort of like wrestling, as you're dealing with an object that doesn't want to be mounted on the rim and you must persuade it to do otherwise. It's kind of fun, actually, as you feel like you've accomplished something.
Before investing in the equipment we attended a tire-changing "party" at a friend's house. He is located in another town nearby, but not close enough to use his stuff routinely, so we attended a session and took photos. That helped a lot when we first got started. The tutorial link I posted earlier is good and I can send the photos to anyone who's interested.
Last edited by iclick; Feb 15, 2009 at 02:52 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Jinks, help me here. I haven't mounted a front tire in a while, so is it necessary to remove both brake rotors? I can't remember and I'll need to change my front tire in the next six months or so. The last front tire we changed was on a WG which only had one rotor and nobody can remember if we removed that single rotor.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: s.w. wisconsin
thanks everyone,
i already have 2 rim protectors that i purchased with the axle torque tool. figures that i should have ordered another pair. lol i will get another pair when i order tires. iclick, i already had that link book marked, but i thank you for it, lots of info there.
in my warm garage i do not have studs available but the pic using the press has given me several ideas.
thanks to everyone. thats why i love this place. all you have to do is ask.
i already have 2 rim protectors that i purchased with the axle torque tool. figures that i should have ordered another pair. lol i will get another pair when i order tires. iclick, i already had that link book marked, but i thank you for it
, lots of info there.in my warm garage i do not have studs available but the pic using the press has given me several ideas.
thanks to everyone. thats why i love this place. all you have to do is ask.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 7
From: Daytona, Fla.
Jinks, help me here. I haven't mounted a front tire in a while, so is it necessary to remove both brake rotors? I can't remember and I'll need to change my front tire in the next six months or so. The last front tire we changed was on a WG which only had one rotor and nobody can remember if we removed that single rotor.
Before I bought the Harbor Freight rig I did 'em on the floor with a square frame made from lumber. Made it wide enough to support the wheel at the rim & tall enough to keep rotors & pulleys off the floor. Covered it with old carpet to keep from scratchin' the rims (chrome). Did the tire removal with tire irons, rim protectors, & sweat. Put the new tire back on with a big rubber mallet.
As long as you don't put any serious side pressure on the rotors you'll be ok. If you can't get it in your changer, or have to put a lot of pressure on a rotor, take it off.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,813
Likes: 6
From: Rio Grande Valley-Texas
I don't have to remove either front rotors but do have to remove the rear pulley. The rotors will clear but have to remove the pulley to use the mojo lever. I tried with spoons but found it was still easier to remove the pulley anyway.
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