| Author | Message | ||
     Adrian_8 |
Since I go thru so many tires on the ULY I have been thinking out getting my own tire change "machine"..of course a manual type...and a balancer. I figure I can save about $100 each set by DIY...anyone know a good tire change machine and balancer? | ||
| Teeps |
I've only used a pneumatic coats machine (have access at work to one) to change tires on my Uly. Sure beats the tire spoons and a barrel! Either of the below will be several steps up from spoons & barrel. And from various reports I've read the No-Mar is by far the better of the two. http://www.nomartirechanger.com/06ClassicModel.htm l or http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem. taf?itemnumber=42927 This is what we have at work: http://www.wikco.com/RC-100.html (Message edited by teeps on April 06, 2007) | ||
| Stevenknapp |
The harbor freight can't do the Buell rear wheel. It won't take the wheel with the pully down. W/ the pully up it's hard to get the bar in the right spot to get the wheel off... | ||
| Milo_h |
I'll be following this thread for sure. Been looking at tire machines myself (manual type). I did find a balancer that is top notch. http://www.pbase.com/rodneff/balancer_misc I'm very happy with it. Peace Milo | ||
| Chadhargis |
A friend of my has the NoMar pro model. I throw him a few bucks for the use of his equipment and wheel weights and have to say it's pretty easy to use. First time is a bear, then you learn where to put the NoMar veggie oil based spooge and the world is good. He's got a princely sum in his compressor, balancer (and proper axle for the Buell), NoMar machine, and all the little misc tools. So I'm more than happy to toss him a $20 for the use of his stuff. Why take up room in my garage.  | ||
| Adrian_8 |
The Pro model is $1,200..that is one serious tire changer..The cheapest is $600.00 I then would break even after 17 tire changes. I am being charged $35.00 per tire.. | ||
| Chris_in_tn |
The Harbor Freight unit will work for the rear wheel, I have used it twice. The No Mar is a better unit, however much more expensive. | ||
| Stevenknapp |
The Harbor Freight unit will work for the rear wheel, I have used it twice. Tell me more about how this worked for you? I couldn't get the clamp/arms on the rear... | ||
| Paul56 |
The Harbor Freight version will do the rear, but it's a bear. An assistant is necessary, although I'll be experimenting with some mods to make it easier next time. I've done it drive side up with the gear on (hard to work around) and gear off (hard to get gear off). It is not the ideal setup by any means. | ||
| Ulywife |
Webethumpin purchased the NoMar and we collectively have changed about 4 tires. It is easy to use and has left no marks on the wheels. While it may be more expensive than the Harbor Freight, it is the better tire changer from everything we've read here on BadWeb. | ||
| Rhinowerx |
I've had a Coats 220 (manual) since 10/2004  I've since retro fitted it with the NoMar wheel lock and bead breaker. With no less than 3 bikes in the garage at any one time, buying my tyres online, it's saved me a bunch of cash. I use the Marc Paynes balancer Cheers -Jack | ||
| Daveymac |
Tell me more about how this worked for you? I couldn't get the clamp/arms on the rear... Steve, I have Mitch's Mojo-Lever http://mywebpages.comcast.net/prestondrake/mojoweb .htm Are you trying to use the bar that came with HF tire changer? I found it useless. Or is it that the wheel wont fit or hold secure in the changer? I have yet to change a Uly tire. (Message edited by daveymac on April 07, 2007) | ||
| Stevenknapp |
Or is it that the wheel wont fit or hold secure in the changer? Bingo! With the pulley down, it won't fit (the coats does, if you look at Jack's pictures). With the pulley up the bar can't swing at the right angle (I bent the tip on Mitch's lever). Removing the pulley is an option, but the stock bolts are in there TIGHT and the service manual says to replace the bolts on each R&R. My friend who I went in halves with on the changer and balancer (Marc Parnes as well) is going to fabricate some different jaws for the H-F to clear the pulley. | ||
| Paochow |
You guys and your fancy tire changing machines. All you need is about six rim protectors, three tire irons, 5 gallon bucket, old towel, soapy water spray, and a few 2X4's with a truck bumper(bead breaker). I've found the Uly tires are easier to change than dirt bike tires, except for the 616's needing 1oz of weight to balance. It would take me almost as long to set up a changer as it would to manually change the tire. Granted if I had the space to leave one up permanently, it would be a different story. I do need to buy a balancer though, as I've been borrowing my friend's every change. | ||
| Daveymac |
I found this, looking I'll bet they will adapt to HF changer.  They can be purchase at Wikco.com http://www.wikco.com/index.htm I don't have any way to make these my self, So 79.00 is an easy fix for a stupid problem. | ||
| Stevenknapp |
Daveymac, you going to try those? If so, let me know how they work out. | ||
| Daveymac |
I just got around to ordering those clamps from Wikco. Im a gambling Man  So for 79.00 bucks Im going to give it a try. I'll report back when I got a answer. | ||
| Bearly |
I wish I hadn't WASTED my money on a Harbor Freight machine. I looked good and was cheap. I bought a Mojo Lever from Mitch Patrie for 90 bucks (a nice piece)and a Mark Parnes balancer (which works very well). I tried and tried to get the right type of rubber or protection material to stop that Harbor Freight (made in China) machine to stop scratching my practice wheel but just couldn't get it work. You can see the machine flexing when turning the big screw to close the third clamp. Gluing pieces of rubber on the sharp metal rim clamps didn't work as they would slide off. I tried to cut pieces of inner tube and stretch it over the clamps but the would get punctured by the pressure. So I bit the bullet and ordered the NoMar Professional model tire changer. I have a slightly bent Lighting wheel (Thanks to the bride hitting a house) that I have been practicing on. What a difference!  This machine is build like a tank. Heat treated and Case hardened steel frame and arms. Nothing metal touches or gets close to the painted surfaces of your wheel. Ingenious hand clamps to push the tire down into the relief valley of wheel to aid in removal, are non breakable plastic.  With the optional rim clamp set (these are included in the "Ultra" package) Buell rims have plenty of room for the big belt pulley under the wheel as you take the tire off from above. The wheel I had didn't have the brake rotor or the pulley installed but you can see how much room is under the wheel when clamped into the machine.  The bead breaker is powerful and also has a non marring surface. Breaking the bead on the Lightning wheel was effortless. Although my Marc Parnes Balancer worked very very well. The NoMar static balancer is hight quality and has the same great finish was the tire machines do. The Optional Nesting cones for the balancer, put the right tools in your hands for just about any wheel. One thing nice for me is that it also does car tires. The company has told me that it will not change my EMT tires on the car. This is apparently because the EMT's are very hard to bead break. All other car tire are very easy to do I suspect with this machine. The training videos on NoMar's site suggest that car tires are simpler to change when compared to bike tires. (I've just ordered a new set for the trailblazer!) The machine is expensive but with all the money I could have saved by not throwing it away on the cheap stuff first, would have save me a bundle. So, if you all are in the area(and I'm not out riding, or working), bring by your Buell Wheels and I'll change them. It would be a hoot. :-) (Message edited by bearly on October 13, 2007) |
