HF Tire Changer - not in the cards...

[Walküre]

Well, I finally decided that I would pop for a HF Tire Changer, and mod it to suit my needs. Since the nearest one is over 90 miles away, I probably should have called first....but NOOOOO, not me!!

Had ONE in stock, but was missing the upright bar. I was so pissed, I didn't even get my free meter, or screwdrivers, that I had a coupon for. Nor did I pick up the jack stands, or lights...or anything ELSE I was going to pick up while there.

Going to make my own. I liked the TireStripper, but they say they have sold out, and don't plan on making any more!! Soooo..looks like I will be building my own, based on the TireStripper. It is the one in this link:

http://www.tirestripper.com/MainAssembly.html

I haven't found ANYbody willing to put my DS on the Valk rim, so figure it will pay for itself, in quick order, especially if I build it myself! I've seen the No-Mar bar, but at $100, I think I can fab my own, what with the Delrin and stuff I have laying around. I was just hoping to save some time, with the HF one.

On another note, Pep Boys has a set of 2-ton jack stands, on sale for $19.95, normally $24.95. Perfect for under the crash bars, to stand the Valk up, so I can get the motorcycle lift under it...

R

[MarkT]

I've had the HF changer w/ motorcycle attachment for years and have changed many tires with it.  FYI I never use the overhead bar assembly.  Maybe it's just that it's not needed with Valk, Gold Wing, and Magna rims.  Maybe there are bike rims that need it, but I haven't changed tires with them.  Fred Harmon has a page showing how to use the HF changer with wing rims, and even has the overhead bar showing in some pics, but I don't see that he really needs it either.  See http://www.pbase.com/fredharmon/tirechange  Maybe you could pick up the changer and have them send you the overhead part when they get it, if it's on BO.

[fudgie]

When are you going to Ft Wayne again? Once you get thru Huntington, there is a small town of Roanoke. 2 gas stations on the west and a stop light. 2 miles post this is the Biker Stop on the west side of the road. A mile before St Rd 114, another stop light. Its a small run HD mechanic. He does my tires all the time. $40-50 he will have it on. I tip to since he has trouble with the CT in mounting. To soft he says. Trapper is a good guy. Drop it off one day you are going to Ft Wayne and pick it up the same day, usually. If you cant let me know. I can take it to him and/or pick it up. Then on your next trip I'll give it to you. You know how winters get. 

[JetDriver]

I've seen the No-Mar bar, but at $100, I think I can fab my own, what with the Delrin and stuff I have laying around. I was just hoping to save some time, with the HF one.

As far as tire removal bars, there's a couple more to choose from.  Consider yourself lucky you didn't get the bar from HF- it will do the job, but will severely scratch your rims!  In addition to No-Mar, there's one called MoJo.    http://home.comcast.net/~prestondrake/mojoweb.htm    I bought mine from a guy who makes them from scratch and sells them for $87 including shipping.     http://no-scufftiretool.com/Pictures.html  I'm very happy with it.

As far as HF, check their website.  You may be able to find it there.  If you can't find either the MC attachment, or the changer itself, call their toll-free # and get them to help you find it.  If I remember right, they have their regular HF site, then they have another HFUSA site.  Even if you get their changer, don't use their tire changer bar- fab your own or get one that doesn't scratch.

[Sneaky Snake]

I just changed my rear tire with my home made apparatus.  I started with the idea of "jkozloski"  http://www.jkozloski.com/tires.htm  from the Shoptalk forum here.  Thank You to JKozloski!  I used a '67 14" Ford steel wheel for the base and a 3/4" all thread for the axle/fulcrum.  I like the one that you posted and may modify mine to adapt the base like that one.  As far as tire irons I used the ones in the following pics and just taped the ends w/ 3 layers of duct tape.  I used the tool from my HF car tire changer for removal but the other end for installing didn't look like it would work.  For removal i used a 2" piece of 3/8" fuel line split, soaped over the edge of the rim and under the HF tool.  

Installing the tire was by hand for the back sidewall - with lots of soapy water but the front side required prying the last 6-8 inches on with the taped tire irons.

Here's some pics:

The Ford wheel bolted via the all thread to the 2x6 base.




Breaking the tire down.


The tools used


The finished apparatus


Chris

[JetDriver]

A suggestion I saw, but have not tried, is to use a dish soap bottle, or some thick, fibrous similar vinyl bottle, for rim protectors, bead breaker covers, tire bar changers, etc.  I imagine they will only be good for a few uses, but, then again, how often are you changing your tires?

[Walküre]

Thanks, all, for the tips and links. I'm really dedicated to changing my own tires - thanks for the offer, Fudge - and was hoping to pick up the HF changer, as a starting point. I already know to either modify the bar, or build one based on the suggestions here. I tend to build my own tools, whenever I can, not really to save money, but just to do it. And I usually modify the tools I DO buy, to better suit me. Here's a quick load-leveler I through together, when putting my flathead in the '51 Ford:



 I was just really upset at HF not having one, that they advertise. I guess I should have called first, but last time I called, before going to pick up something, they were rude to me, saying they didn't have time for calls, and they ALWAYS have the engine stands in stock, yaddi, yaddi, yaddi...so I took them at their word. I had $500 in my pocket, and had a whole list of things I needed - I like tools! Walked out without a single item, even the "freebies" I had coupons for.

I really think I'll end up building one very similar to the tire stripper - pretty clever, the way the center cone is held down. I was just hoping for $80 to have a lot of the stuff pre-built for me, just needing modifications.

Not even sure where to get a set of tire irons around here - checked at Pep Boys, and was surprised they didn't have them. Guess I'll try the cycle store.

Thanks all, I really appreciate it!

R

[Tim R]

Hi
  I built my own it is much like what No-Mar sells only I built it with the rim clamps instead of their poly blocks/locks. I ordered there rim clamp spools and tips for the the bar, also I ordered the ends for the No-Mar spoons and just bought my own steel to build it. I would post up some pictures if I just know how If anyone can tell me what I need to do to add pics I sure would. I have just about $200 into the whole thing and I think it works just as well as the No-Mar machine. I have changed rear Valk tires and lots of car tires with it with out any problems. Feel free to ask questions.
Tim R

[JetDriver]

Not even sure where to get a set of tire irons around here - checked at Pep Boys, and was surprised they didn't have them. Guess I'll try the cycle store.

http://www.ironpony.com/ironponydirect/product.asp/ImageName/m01066.jpg/Brand/MOOSE/Class2/Garage%20and%20Shop/Class3/Tools/Class1/STREET%20PRODUCTS

http://www.ironpony.com/ironponydirect/product.asp/ImageName/p519.jpg/Brand/MOTION%20PRO/Class2/Garage%20and%20Shop/Class3/Tools/Class1/STREET%20PRODUCTS

http://www.ironpony.com/ironponydirect/product.asp/ImageName/MOTION-PRO-SPOON-TIRE-IRON.jpg/Brand/MOTION%20PRO/Class2/Garage%20and%20Shop/Class3/Tools/Class1/STREET%20PRODUCTS

http://www.ironpony.com/ironponydirect/product.asp/ImageName/p503.jpg/Brand/MOTION%20PRO/Class2/Garage%20and%20Shop/Class3/Tools/Class1/STREET%20PRODUCTS

Don't know what their shipping costs are like.  Like you said, other bike stores will have them, too.

[Tim R]

Hi Again,
  Here are some links to the items I purchased from No-Mar under their Cyclehill brand web site.

No-Mar spoon tips just use 1/4"x2" flat steel cut to the length you wish with these and you have nice spoons for putting tires on that will not harm your rims and at $4.00 each they are cheap.

http://www.cyclehill-tirechanger-secure.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Part-SpoonBar+Tip

To make the Mount Demount bar I ordered two sets of these tips at $16.00 a pair you will have one spare left over. All that is needed to do to make them work as demount tip is use a hack saw to cut off 2 sides in order to make it flat on both sides this will help it fit in between tire and rim.

http://www.cyclehill-tirechanger-secure.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Part-MT2-B

If you compare them to these you will see what I mean with the mods needed to use them for the demount bar.

http://www.cyclehill-tirechanger-secure.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Part-DT3-B

I also ordered these spools for the rim clamps I built they came as a set for $12.00 and even included the mounting bolts.

http://www.cyclehill-tirechanger-secure.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=AC-RC-Spools-Tall

I ordered one of their No-Mar bead breakers $20.00 only because I felt guilty using the rest of there suff to build a tire machine that is so close to theirs that some might not even know it was not and I did it all for way less than they sell them for.

http://www.cyclehill-tirechanger-secure.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=AC-Breaker-blue

If you ordered it here from their main site it is cheaper also and can be made to work the same

http://www.nomar-secure.com/product_p/tc-coatsbead.htm

And I ordered their tire lube $14.95 as well just because it was made for this and I thought it might be a little less of a mess than dish soap.

http://www.nomar-secure.com/product_p/sp-lube-paste.htm

Check these out all or part of this list is all that is needed if you have a little time to cut and weld up the rest of the pieces you can have a real proven tire changer for way less money. And this should really pay for itself in a short time. I figures 2 or 3 tire changes front and rear should cover it.

Any questions please just ask.

Tim

[Walküre]

Tim - sent you a private message...

R

[JetDriver]

Tim~  I wish we had this thread about two months ago!  I'm happy with my set up, but could've saved a few bucks doing it your way.  I bought the HF, and then spent twice as much as the changer/balancer buying upgrades to make it mar-proof.  Still spent less than the Cyclehill package, but not as cheap as yours buying separate parts!  Nice job!

[Walküre]

Tim graciously sent me several pictures of the changer he built - all I can say is...WOW!! A man after my own heart...

Anyway, if you are interested, I am posting pics here, that have been reduced in size. However, the originals are over 2M, but have great detail! So I am posting links to those, as well - you can go to those pics, and right-click, save as, for bigger, better pics...

Pic One:



Link to bigger pic:  http://crbest.com/valkyrie/tim04.jpg

Pic Two:



Link to bigger pic:  http://crbest.com/valkyrie/tim03.jpg

Thanks, Tim!! I'm sure you'll get a few questions, at least from me!

Roger

[Hoser]

Just to clairify, HF sells over thier website. save some gas, and pay the shipping fee with what you save.  I do it frequently.  BTW I am not a fan of thier tire changer.  Hoser

[Walküre]

Uhmmm....no....just to clarify...

http://www.harborfreight.com/motorcycle-tire-changer-attachment-42927.html

Notice it says (wait for it, wait for it...ah, THERE it is!):

Motorcycle Tire Changer Attachment

Item # 42927 Manufacturer: Central Machinery

Only: $59.99

Sale: $49.87
Print Central Machinery 42927

   
Purchase In Store Only

THAT'S why I drove to HF, since it said only the stores have them, and you can't order them. As I said, I should have called first, but didn't because of the way I was treated the last time.

I'll build one, thanks...

R

[Hoser]

I see your point, did not know that, must be closing it out, hence the price.  Used to be available online.  Like I said, it ain't much good anyway, IMHO.  Hoser

[Warlock]

Uhmmm....no....just to clarify...

http://www.harborfreight.com/motorcycle-tire-changer-attachment-42927.html

Notice it says (wait for it, wait for it...ah, THERE it is!):

Motorcycle Tire Changer Attachment

Item # 42927 Manufacturer: Central Machinery

Only: $59.99

Sale: $49.87
Print Central Machinery 42927

   
Purchase In Store Only

THAT'S why I drove to HF, since it said only the stores have them, and you can't order them. As I said, I should have called first, but didn't because of the way I was treated the last time.

I'll build one, thanks...

R

After reading your post call the closer one to me and they had both. Once I got there they only had 1 of the motorcycle and they sold it to me at $39.95 and the other at $49.95. Ordered the mojo blocks and the noscratch bar.
David

[Ken Tarver]

i think i bought the last tire stripper......sure do like it!

[Walküre]

Thanks...thanks a LOT, guys!!!

Rub it in, will ya? Better yet, I'll just lay down, and you can run over me a few times....



Glad SOMEone had better luck - both with the HF, and the Tire Stripper...

R