HF Tire Changer

[Guest]

Has anyone used Harbor Freight Tire Changer for their Motorcycle tires. I know have to buy base and attachment. Just wondering if it's worth $80 and stupid question: how does the stem work as in reuse it? I have never done tires before. lol.

Thanks.

[Cipher]

Stem? Valve stem?

[Jmanor]

Stem? Valve stem?

Yuppers. My mistake. lol.

[Cipher]

Stems are not that expensive. I had one break off in my hands a long time ago. Mine were the all rubber type.
I would replace just for the peace of mind if its 30 odd years old.

[Jmanor]

Stems are not that expensive. I had one break off in my hands a long time ago. Mine were the all rubber type.
I would replace just for the peace of mind if its 30 odd years old.

Something I can buy at Wal-mart or Autozone?

I am thinking it shouldn't be too hard changing tires with HF manual changer. Just work.

[Cipher]

I got mine at NAPA o forget the number on them. THey were a PITA to install for me. Youtube may have a good tutorial on that.

[mmattockx]

Has anyone used Harbor Freight Tire Changer for their Motorcycle tires. I know have to buy base and attachment. Just wondering if it's worth $80

Got a link? A buddy has a manual tire changer but I have no idea if it is the same as the HF one or not.


Mark

[BurntKittyForge]

WT...??? Last time I saw the HF tire changer (within the past year) it was $40 and didn't need any "base and attachment".

I even have a pic in my phone I sent a buddy because I have no more space for tools , but he wasn't interested. Maybe it must've been a one time sale. They have a "HUGE /EVENT.."sale minimum, every other week BTW.

IF it's the same red color one it looked pretty sturdy and decent.
I'd be extra careful not to pull too much on the tire bead myself, just from changing tires with only hand tools experience.
I payed $30 ($4 tip mechanic) one tire (off-bike) mounted and balanced and thought about the HF $40 tool...

On the questions, I haven't used one but imagine there's few youtube vids. Seen a few on balancing there.

[1980GS1000E]

I have one and use it. The stock jaws and bar will chew up your rims so I modded the jaws and got a No-Mar bar. Lots of info on YouTube about using this changer.

[ShadowFocus603]

I just use tire irons and plenty of lube in the drive way. To change tires of course...lol :P

[ShadowFocus603]

[greg78gs750]

couplea tire irons, some ru-glide, and a 5 gallon bucket cost me less than 20 bucks. I don't have the space for any more tools.

[Grimly]

I gave up wrestling with tyres on the floor, or buckets (which helps, but isn't really high enough) and made this last year..
DSC_0006.jpg

Along with the HF-alike auto-tyre changer, I've been dancing the dance of the one who never has to pay a tyre monkey again.
I'm my OWN TYRE MONKEY now.
It was a long time coming, and man, it feels so good.

[jdvorchak]

I've changed dozens of tires using only the Motion Pro tire irons. I also have two HF tire irons that are about 2 feet long. They come in handy for breaking the bead and also for holding the bead down in the "gully" while using the Motion Pro tire irons. I also use wood working clamps to help hold the bead down. I use spray window cleaner for lube. I get the cheap widow cleaner at Aldi. Also works great for cleaning windows. A couple of 2x4 scraps to support the wheel so the brake rotor doesn't touch anything. After you do a few you get good at it and won't even break a sweat. You have to learn that if you are forcing the tire irons, you're doing something wrong. Yes it takes pressure but if you feel like you're going to break something back off and take a smaller bite, with the irons, and push the bead down opposite the iron.

[tkent02]

I have a harbor fright machine mounted in the back yard, way out back. Haven't used it in a few years. It's easier to pop a tire off on the floor than to carry it out back to the machine.