Motorcycle tire adapter search

[Kep]

I bought a Harbor Freight portable tire changer and need the motorcycle tire adapter. I have searched on-line and can't find one. HF has dis-continued them. Anyone know where I can find one.I can build one myself..but just don't have the time !

[F6BANGER]

Too bad you're not closer, Id let you use mine.

[quexpress]

I bought a Harbor Freight portable tire changer and need the motorcycle tire adapter. I have searched on-line and can't find one. HF has dis-continued them. Anyone know where I can find one.I can build one myself..but just don't have the time !

You do not need one! 

I have removed mine quite a while ago and inserted a 3/4-inch rod vertically in the middle of the bottom portion. It sticks out approximately one foot. I can now walk around my tire changer when removing and installing tires. IMHO it is now set up in a much more useful and easy way to use.

When I'm done, I simply remove the rod, and place it on a shelf ... until I need to change tires again. 

[saddlesore]

I bought a Harbor Freight portable tire changer and need the motorcycle tire adapter. I have searched on-line and can't find one. HF has dis-continued them. Anyone know where I can find one.I can build one myself..but just don't have the time !

You do not need one! 

I have removed mine quite a while ago and inserted a 3/4-inch rod vertically in the middle of the bottom portion. It sticks out approximately one foot. I can now walk around my tire changer when removing and installing tires. IMHO it is now set up in a much more useful and easy way to use.

When I'm done, I simply remove the rod, and place it on a shelf ... until I need to change tires again. 

Now that's a good idea! The darn support post gets in the way. Any slippage and you end up starting again.   
How long is your rod? ................. You know what I mean!!

[Art708]

How long is your rod? ................. You know what I mean!!

    Huh uh...this aint' right.   

[quexpress]

Now that's a good idea! The darn support post gets in the way. Any slippage and you end up starting again. 

Yup! That's why I prefer to get rid of it and insert a 3-foot rod in the middle.

How long is your rod? ................. You know what I mean!!

LOL
It's approximately 3 feet. Looks like this.



I will need to take pics and make a write up this spring or summer. My HF tire changer now has many mods ... to make things easier for an ole guy like me. 

Note: Fred Harmon has many mods similar to what I have done to mine.

http://www.pbase.com/fredharmon/tirechange

[saddlesore]

Looks like you still need the motorcycle adapter for the wheel clamp. You can get by without the upright from the adapter but your picture shows the clamp.
I still like the rod without the support idea.

[quexpress]

Looks like you still need the motorcycle adapter for the wheel clamp. You can get by without the upright from the adapter but your picture shows the clamp.
I still like the rod without the support idea.

What wheel clamp are you talking about? The pic shows a vertical pipe in the middle of the wheel, a tire iron laying on the wheel/tire, and a Mojo Lever used to install/remove tires.

[saddlesore]

Looks like you still need the motorcycle adapter for the wheel clamp. You can get by without the upright from the adapter but your picture shows the clamp.
I still like the rod without the support idea.

What wheel clamp are you talking about? The pic shows a vertical pipe in the middle of the wheel, a tire iron laying on the wheel/tire, and a Mojo Lever used to install/remove tires.

The two tubes sticking out in the front are two of three tubes that have the clamps on them.  That is part of the motorcycle adapter.  The original tire changer for cars just has the pole in the center and a screw down clamp to hold the tire.   
If you go to the link above you can get a better idea of the entire set up.

[quexpress]

The two tubes sticking out in the front are two of three tubes that have the clamps on them.  That is part of the motorcycle adapter.  The original tire changer for cars just has the pole in the center and a screw down clamp to hold the tire.   
If you go to the link above you can get a better idea of the entire set up.

Oops! You're right! It has been so long ... that I had forgotten about that. Senile moment I guess ... sorry about that. 

[saddlesore]

  I'm glad you posted that link.  I like the ideas for rim savers.  Also strapping the wheel to keep it from slipping.
  I'm not so sure about using silicone on the bead for lubrication. I'd hate to see the tire spin on the wheel during braking.
  In the mean time we haven't helped Kep find an adapter.  We'll have to work on that.

[quexpress]

  I'm glad you posted that link.  I like the ideas for rim savers. 

These Mojo Block rim protectors work real well... have them on my tire changer ... along with the Mojo Lever which helps A LOT!

Also strapping the wheel to keep it from slipping.

It helps. I forget if it was on his site or another that I picked that up .. but now use the strap for each tire change.

Use of the small wooden blocks also helps a lot!

I have also added the Yellow Thing to my tire changer accessories. It is VERY handy to have when installing tires. It prevents the tire bead from creeping when mounting the top bead.

http://www.nomartirechanger.com/product_p/ac-yellowthing.htm

  I'm not so sure about using silicone on the bead for lubrication. I'd hate to see the tire spin on the wheel during braking.

I agree with you ... and use tire changing lube ... or whatever it is called.

In the mean time we haven't helped Kep find an adapter.  We'll have to work on that.

Yes

[saddlesore]

Kep, I found one on e-bay.  They wanted $999.99  And that was just for the adapter.

I didn't think you'd be interested in that.  Something there was screwed up!

[quexpress]

I would also keep an eye on Craigslist. 

[Kep]

Yes , I saw the one on e-bay and called them..they said they are out of them and did that to keep from selling them until they can find another source ???? Why not just "un-list" it till you do ? I found out that our auto shop at school has a pneumatic motorcycle tire changer!!!!!!.so I lugged all my stuff up there and changed it !! Rough perk to have !haha. Thanks for the input..if they ever do become available I'll still get one..much easier to do things at home in the comfort of my own garage. Well , back to rebuilding my final drive , got it stripped down to the case..just waiting on Fed Ex to bring "Christmas" !!

[quexpress]

There are more than a few motorcycle tire changer attachments on Craigslist. See:

http://bham.craigslist.org/pts/3556728934.html

http://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/3562102485.html