Harbor Freight Tire Changer HELP!!

[deckerjr]

Finally need the motorcycle tire changer from Harbor Freight and now they don't have it!! Made the mistake of thinking it would always be available. Does anyone out there have a spare they would be willing to part with? It's time to replace my darkside and no one around here will touch it. Got it on the old fashion way but I can't imagine getting it off the same way!!!

[R J]

Where did you look?   It looks like they have about 5, some very expensive ones included.

http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/wheel-tire.html

[Brad]

Where are you located?  Someone might know someone that could help.

[Kaiser]

If you have no intentions of every using the old tire again, hacksaw it off:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=299856

(The companion thread is really cool - it shows how to mount a new tire with no tools.  I stole this link from another VRCC-er's post).

[PAVALKER]

Hmmm, I didn't notice the MC wheel adapter on the HF website, like they used to have.  I have the tire changer and  I also had to get the MC wheel/tire adapter to use with that tire changer.... and I don't see that.     


I think that is what the OP is talking about.

[hubcapsc]

If you have no intentions of every using the old tire again, hacksaw it off:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=299856

(The companion thread is really cool - it shows how to mount a new tire with no tools.  I stole this link from another VRCC-er's post).

I tried that. I didn't use straps, I used zip-ties, but as you can see, they held the beads essentially all the way
together all the way around... I woulda needed that lever that Archimedes was searching for to get both of those
beads on the rim at the same time... I can slip a bicycle tire on with a three inch plastic tire tool, I have to bust my
butt to get a Valkyrie tire on... I'd guess the advRider tire is somewhere in the middle...



I also tried it for getting the old tire off... I was real encouraged by how loose the tire was on the rim, they
were very much separated from each other... but I still was no match for two beads at the same time...



I don't mean to be negative... I wish someone would see what I did wrong and show us how to
do it with a Valkyrie tire... in the meantime, I've got some upgrade modifications for my bucket,
some new tire irons that are almost as gnarly as Archimedes' lever and a new tire to install,
pictures soon I hope...



-Mike

[Cliff]

If you have no intentions of every using the old tire again, hacksaw it off:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=299856

(The companion thread is really cool - it shows how to mount a new tire with no tools.  I stole this link from another VRCC-er's post).

This tecnique (using large zip ties) Worked very well for me,, a little bead lube and hands force pushed both beads on.

[quexpress]

Hmmm, I didn't notice the MC wheel adapter on the HF website, like they used to have.  I have the tire changer and  I also had to get the MC wheel/tire adapter to use with that tire changer.... and I don't see that.     
I think that is what the OP is talking about.

Well ... IMHO ...this is a good thing.
I took mine off (the MC wheel adapter) and stuck a long 3/4-inch bar in the middle of the HF tire changer. It now functions MUCH better than before. 

[Walküre]

Finally need the motorcycle tire changer from Harbor Freight and now they don't have it!! Made the mistake of thinking it would always be available. Does anyone out there have a spare they would be willing to part with? It's time to replace my darkside and no one around here will touch it. Got it on the old fashion way but I can't imagine getting it off the same way!!!

When I was looking at getting one, I think they were just getting ready to stop selling them. The local (well, 45 miles away) Hf had one, and it was the floor model, and missing a part or two. They weren't important parts, as I recall, maybe a bolt and nut (easily replaced), or similar, but I wanted one in a box. If you want, I can check and see if they still have it, might sell it pretty cheap. Shipping of just that, shouldn't be too bad. i get over there, fairly often, so it's no biggie. Let me know, and I can give them a call...

R

[gordonv]

Where did you look?   It looks like they have about 5, some very expensive ones included.

http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/wheel-tire.html

I just checked this link out, only $40 for the cheap one. Would this work for our Valk rim and a CT?

[hubcapsc]

This tecnique (using large zip ties) Worked very well for me,, a little bead lube and hands force pushed both beads on.

On your Valkyrie?

-Mike "I'm a wimp"

[deckerjr]

When I was looking at getting one, I think they were just getting ready to stop selling them. The local (well, 45 miles away) Hf had one, and it was the floor model, and missing a part or two. They weren't important parts, as I recall, maybe a bolt and nut (easily replaced), or similar, but I wanted one in a box. If you want, I can check and see if they still have it, might sell it pretty cheap. Shipping of just that, shouldn't be too bad. i get over there, fairly often, so it's no biggie. Let me know, and I can give them a call...

R

I would be interested if basically complete. email at pdecker18@comcast.net Thanks.

At my HF they had discontinued written on the picture of it hanging from the base unit. I have searched the net and found a more expensive heavier duty version available on eBay but want to exhaust all avenues for this one. I never saw the zip tie trick and that could be the answer.

[deckerjr]

I took mine off (the MC wheel adapter) and stuck a long 3/4-inch bar in the middle of the HF tire changer. It now functions MUCH better than before. 

How does this work? Do you lock down the tire some way?

[Ken Tarver]

deckerjr

rim clamps