Tire changer recomentations.

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 11:53 pm

I recently picked up a few set of tires for my wifes FZ6 and a few sets for my K1200S.
I just got a set mounted and the shop charged me $110 to mount and balance 2 tires..(bastards!)

So now I am thinking for a couple hundred bux I could probably get a semi decent set up, so I can do it myself.

Do you guys have any remomendations?

Thanks in advance
Randy.. Very Happy

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 12:09 am

Hi Randy:

You'd be surprised (I was) how quickly and easily you can do it with a set of levers and some rim protectors. I can change and balance (I purchased an expensive static balancer) two tires in less time than the 40 minutes it takes me to drive the wheel down to the bike shop and back - 80 minutes if I have to leave the wheels there and come back to pick up. And, it gives me a chance to inspect and clean the rim between tire mounts. Saving the $100 is just icing on the proverbial cake.

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 12:45 am

Like Bucko said it's not bad to do it yourself. The only hard part is breaking the bead.
I made a bead breaker out of pressure treated lumber, powered by a small wind-up bottle jack
3 spoons, a couple of rim protectors, a bottle of windex and you're on your way.

I like the Mark Parnes balancer, about $90 but it's well worth is. 1/4 ounce stick-on weights do the trick.

With a bit of practice you'll be doing them quickly in no time.

Good luck!

Toonces

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 2:50 am

Was that $110 on the bike or did you bring just the wheels in? At or shop its $60 per tire installed on bike, or $30 if you bring in the wheel,

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 9:02 am

Harbor freight has a cheap balancer that works well. $50 Harbor freight has tire spoons as well for $10. They also sell a contraption to break beads on mc tires but I've never tried it.

I use 6" c-clamps to break the bead, and pieces of old leather (shoe or jacket) as a guard to protect the rims while I spoon them on and off.

Small diameter is the hardest..My buddy Jim has a 130/80-16 on the rear of his 750C and that was difficult.

Motion pro just came out with these and they look good to me

Breaking the bead is the most challenging part in my eyes.

I agree with Toonces assessment....I've also used contraptions to break a bead.

http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/partno/08-0546/?gclid=CLXvvark_b0CFWuhOgod8jwA0g

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 12:40 pm

This is the way I did it:

Bead breaker off ebay for like $80 delivered:

Balancer from Hazard Fraught for under $40:

Some levers/spoons (Motion pro for free when I bought other stuff at Bike Bandit or Comp Acc, I don't remember which), stick on weights, and rim protectors (section of fuel line sliced lengthwise) and you are in business.

Steve

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 2:32 pm

Thanks guys, I've never tried so I guess it is time.. Very Happy

twotiresteve wrote:

Was that $110 on the bike or did you bring just the wheels in? At or shop its $60 per tire installed on bike, or $30 if you bring in the wheel,

Two tires off of the bike..two new tires that I bought at a close out sale.
They charged $99/hour and 1/2 hour per wheel..even though it only took them 1/2 and hour to do both..
Needless to say, I won't be going back.

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 5:06 pm

I just hold the wheel vertically by the ends of the axle to ballence them. Roll the axle back and and forth to break any friction and the heavy point of the wheel drops to bottom. C clamp to break the bead and a couple of motion pro levers and rim protectors.

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 6:10 pm

cycle gear $30 per tire mount and balance off the bike.

I have a HF bead breaker & balancer using a pair of good jack stands.

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 6:50 pm

I have the HF bead breaker and it works fine, but I like the looks of SteveG's a lot more and think I'll get one in the near future. The HF balancer is very decent, but if you buy one, there's at least a 50/50 chance that the rod will be bent. The goofballs in their shipping department pack it in such a way that it happens more time than not. Read the reviews and you'll see what I mean. Of course mine was bent when I opened the box. I ended up just buying a short piece of rod at Home Depot since chances were good that all the others ones at HF were bent too.

If you like making your own tools, then check this one out - it's pretty cool and I'm sure you can do with with steel instead if you preferred:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztYmUgGBObk

I just wish the guy in the video wore a longer shirt. Puke

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 8:30 pm

Ha! thats awesome. I do happen to have a few 2X6's and some ready rod kicking around.

Thanks again, guys.
looks like I will be able to get away cheaper than I thought.

I was actualy looking at one of these, though I don't think it would handle a 17" rim (says 16.5 max)

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Multi-Tire-Changer-4-to16-5-Motorcycle-GoCart-Trailer-Bike-ATV-Car-Truck-/281307104633?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item417f35c579

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 10:51 pm

tomk1960 wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztYmUgGBObk

That's how I do mine, just not so elaborate. Long 2x4 under deck, short 2x4, one end on bead, one end under long 2x4, press down. Very Happy

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 10:54 pm

SteveG wrote:

Balancer from Hazard Fraught for under $40:

That's the one that I have. it works great!

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 11:18 pm

CowTownBiomed wrote:

Ha! thats awesome. I do happen to have a few 2X6's and some ready rod kicking around.

Thanks again, guys.
looks like I will be able to get away cheaper than I thought.

I was actualy looking at one of these, though I don't think it would handle a 17" rim (says 16.5 max)

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Multi-Tire-Changer-4-to16-5-Motorcycle-GoCart-Trailer-Bike-ATV-Car-Truck-/281307104633?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item417f35c579

I was dreaming about this type also, but I couldn't find one in my price range that handles 19" wheels. With this one I couldn't do any of my 18 or 19 inch old school stuff.

Steve

Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 12:17 am

I think it would be a good start though.
A couple of peices of 1" square tubing, a few inches longer would be all it needs to fit larger rims..

Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 7:48 pm

tomk1960 wrote:

I have the HF bead breaker and it works fine,

My kid just picked up a GS500F as a starter/first bike. It's a fun little twin thats decent looking and not crazy powerful for the new rider.

Anyway, needed some new tires and I've always been an old school C clamp and tire iron kinda guy.

But since I need to change at least 3 sets of tires in short order I figured what the hell, for 20 bucks even if it does one set it's probably worth it.

I was pleasantly surprised this morning when it worked exactly as advertised. Broke the beads without issue or bending or breaking the tool.

$20 and 2 thumbs up. I've got CBF and CBX tires OTW so hopefully it will least a little longer.

HF tools are so cheap I usually purchased them as a throw away. As long as they meet the immediate need I'm satisfied.

I have a HF ball joint remover I swear I cranked up to about 500k PSI on a stuck ball joint. I thought for sure it was going to shatter and shower me with shrapnel when it exploded. Nope, the ball joint sounded like a rifle shot when it finally let go but the tool worked and survived.

Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 8:40 pm

CB1100F wrote:

I have a HF ball joint remover I swear I cranked up to about 500k PSI on a stuck ball joint. I thought for sure it was going to shatter and shower me with shrapnel when it exploded. Nope, the ball joint sounded like a rifle shot when it finally let go but the tool worked and survived.

I have one of those cheap HF ball joint presses that I tried to use on my Cherokee. It didn't shatter but it did bend. I had to go rent a real press to do the job (using a 4 foot 3/4in drive Johnson bar). I've been looking for a way to bend my cheapo press back into it's original shape so that I can at least use it to press out U joints which require less pressure.

Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 11:19 pm

Randy, you probably have your K1200S tires mounted by now, but I'll throw out another HF recommendation for you to consider down the line. I got a used Harbor Freight portable tire changer and [color=] [/color]Motorcycle tire changer attachment for about $60 (less than half of their list, but they can be gotten on sale). Bolted it to my garage floor. I then got [color=] [/color]Mojo Blocks, nylon blocks that bolt to the motorcycle adapter; they keep your wheels from touching any metal; and a [color=] [/color]Mojo Lever; total cost was less than $200. I padded the bead breaker spoon and the base of the changer where the wheel rests during bead breaking with some duct tape that I renew occasionally. Works slick as a charm. I've done more than a dozen sets of tires, from my bikes, my boys' bikes, and friends bikes, so it has well paid for itself.

Some folks I know bolt the changer to a 4-foot by 4-foot sheet of 3/4-inch plywood so they can move it around.

If I wanted something a little more substantial, I'd look at a Cycle Hill package for about $365. Or one of the more expensive No-Mar packages if I felt really flush.

Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 11:45 pm

I don't want to start a big to do here but all you need is a bead breaker to make the job easier. As for balancing I use dyna beads in my bikes. The wheel will never go out of balance for the life of the tire. Please just one thing. If you haven't tried them don't knock'em. I brought this up on another forum once and it started ww3.

Posted: Sat May 17, 2014 4:25 pm

NoMar Pro in my shop. Excellent quality for about a grand delivered. Included balancer, spoons, yellow thing, lubricant, weights, etc.

Posted: Tue May 05, 2015 6:07 pm

CB1100F wrote:

tomk1960 wrote:

I have the HF bead breaker and it works fine,

My kid just picked up a GS500F as a starter/first bike. It's a fun little twin thats decent looking and not crazy powerful for the new rider.

Anyway, needed some new tires and I've always been an old school C clamp and tire iron kinda guy.

But since I need to change at least 3 sets of tires in short order I figured what the hell, for 20 bucks even if it does one set it's probably worth it.

I was pleasantly surprised this morning when it worked exactly as advertised. Broke the beads without issue or bending or breaking the tool.

$20 and 2 thumbs up. I've got CBF and CBX tires OTW so hopefully it will least a little longer.

HF tools are so cheap I usually purchased them as a throw away. As long as they meet the immediate need I'm satisfied.

I have a HF ball joint remover I swear I cranked up to about 500k PSI on a stuck ball joint. I thought for sure it was going to shatter and shower me with shrapnel when it exploded. Nope, the ball joint sounded like a rifle shot when it finally let go but the tool worked and survived.

Ok, a year and 14 more tires later this thing still works great. I'm not even sure who all these kids are. Apparently the word "there's this old guy that will help you change tires" got out among the friends of friends.

The HF tire balancer works just as well.

Definelty 5 stars.

Posted: Sun May 10, 2015 2:19 pm

+1 on the NoMar. I bought a Classic (I think). A little pricey. Changed several bike tires, and several std car tires w/o problem. Do not recommend for low profile car tires. Changed four 17-inch low profile off my daughter's Tib. I believe I would take them to a shop next time. Of course, having another person to help would have helped too.

Posted: Sun May 10, 2015 4:04 pm

psychodad wrote:

+1 on the NoMar. I bought a Classic (I think). A little pricey. Changed several bike tires, and several std car tires w/o problem. Do not recommend for low profile car tires. Changed four 17-inch low profile off my daughter's Tib. I believe I would take them to a shop next time. Of course, having another person to help would have helped too.

The pro one will apparently do low profile tires on up to I think 24" wheels. I'm looking at a No Mar myself once the garage gets finished.

Posted: Sun May 10, 2015 9:08 pm

I have the HF balancer, and it works good......
But it is especially handy for painting wheels as well..... Wink

Jebby

Posted: Sun May 10, 2015 9:11 pm

Jebbysan wrote:

I have the HF balancer, and it works good......

Pfft. Dynabeads beat playing with a balancer, any day. I've been using them in my last few tires.

Posted: Wed May 13, 2015 9:16 pm

How messy is it when you change the tire with the beads in there?

Posted: Sat May 16, 2015 11:14 am

The Mark Parnes balancer is a very nice tool, but closer to $100.

Dynabeads are right up there with snake oil and witchcraft. You
would be better off waving your dick at a tire to balance it than
adding dynabeads. It's simply physically impossible for some little
balls to magically find the light spot on your tire and just hang out
there to provide balance.

Pardon the strong opinion but I'm allergic to bullshit.

Toonces

Posted: Sat May 16, 2015 11:55 am

toonces wrote:

Dynabeads are right up there with snake oil and witchcraft. You
would be better off waving your dick at a tire to balance it than
adding dynabeads. It's simply physically impossible for some little
balls to magically find the light spot on your tire and just hang out
there to provide balance.

Pardon the strong opinion but I'm allergic to bullshit.

Toonces

Well, tens of thousands of miles (3 or 4 rear tires, at least) have proven to me otherwise. They work, plain and simple. If I put the wheels/tires on a balancer, they show a noticeably heavy side at the valve stem. (Metal, 85 degree bent stems, are pretty heavy) And there's simply no tire shake at any reasonable (or, as many on the Northeast rides can attest, unreasonable) speeds. I had Dynabeads in my tires when we hit the NY Safety Track a few rides ago.

As for "physically impossible", it actually physics that makes it work.

CowTownBiomed wrote:

How messy is it when you change the tire with the beads in there?

I've only ever had a very small amount spill out when changing the tire. If you're really worried, it's easy enough to stick the end of a shopvac in once you've got one tire bead off, and vacuum them out. But most of them have stayed in the tire carcass when I've levered the tire off anyway.

Posted: Sat May 16, 2015 3:45 pm

OK, then please explain the physics. The physics I'm accustomed to say that you have to form a "couple" by adding weight opposite from the heavy side. On a static balancer, the center of the heaviest half settles to the bottom.This is because by definition there's 180 degrees of wheel and tire above the spindle and 180 below. If you turn the wheel by 90 degrees, this same heavy spot applies a torque (technically a "moment") to the wheel. Because it's at 90 degrees, the lever arm component of the torque is at its greatest and the moment is maximized.

Now with the wheel again at 90 degrees from settled, add 1/4 ounceof weight at a time exactly opposite the heavy spot until the wheel no longer tries to settle. Now you've applied an equal but opposite torque to cancel the original torque.

Everyone's opinion on these "magic bb's" working is by the "seat of the pants". Plenty of tires are close enough to neutral balance as mounted, without any weight, to feel "fine" while riding. This does not mean the magical dynabeads are doing anything.

If anyone can show a real world demonstration of balancing a tire by adding beads, I'll buy you a case of beer.

OK, going riding now,

Toonces

Posted: Sat May 16, 2015 4:04 pm

toonces wrote:

OK, then please explain the physics. The physics I'm accustomed to say that you have to form a "couple" by adding weight opposite from the heavy side. On a static balancer, the center of the heaviest half settles to the bottom.This is because by definition there's 180 degrees of wheel and tire above the spindle and 180 below. If you turn the wheel by 90 degrees, this same heavy spot applies a torque (technically a "moment") to the wheel. Because it's at 90 degrees, the lever arm component of the torque is at its greatest and the moment is maximized.

Now with the wheel again at 90 degrees from settled, add 1/4 ounceof weight at a time exactly opposite the heavy spot until the wheel no longer tries to settle. Now you've applied an equal but opposite torque to cancel the original torque.

Everyone's opinion on these "magic bb's" working is by the "seat of the pants". Plenty of tires are close enough to neutral balance as mounted, without any weight, to feel "fine" while riding. This does not mean the magical dynabeads are doing anything.

If anyone can show a real world demonstration of balancing a tire by adding beads, I'll buy you a case of beer.

OK, going riding now,

Toonces

Not taking a side, but I would take the beer if this counts?

Link

Also, I would expect water to do the same thing in the video above. Should be easy enough to try.