harbor freight tire changer
06-24-2009, 01:08 PM
#43
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere wheelies happen
Age: 37
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Re: harbor freight tire changer
Plus them straps aren't going to do **** for poping the bead off, which is the hardest part
06-24-2009, 01:11 PM
#44
Retired
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: .
Posts: 37,967
Re: harbor freight tire changer
the main number 1 technique and tool that shops use that people dont use is SOAP! lots and lots of dish soap and only 1 tire iron. if you try and use 2 of them at once, 1 for prying and 1 for holding the other side of the tire from moving you will destroy the bead and bend the lip of the rim. the series of steel cables that run along the bead can not and will not bend or stretch at all. once youve screwed it up and realize that you can get it done in 10 minutes you will never pay another shop again. also they will not take the time to make sure they dont gauge your rotor, properly torque the axle, and properly clean and adjust the chain. and if you just take the wheel off and bring it down there then you are making them even richer because you did 90% of the work yourself already.
06-24-2009, 01:16 PM
#45
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Posts: 37,967
Re: harbor freight tire changer
Prop up the rim with a couplke of 2x4's so the brake rotor doesn't touch the ground.
Break the bead by driving over it.
I have 3 of the large curved tire irons and they work like a dream.
06-24-2009, 01:23 PM
#46
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere wheelies happen
Age: 37
Posts: 5,868
Re: harbor freight tire changer
If you put the rim on the ground and silicone spray the beads of the tire you can litterally get the first bead seated on the rim by throwing the tire at the rim at the right angle. Finish the other bead with 2 tire irons.
Prop up the rim with a couplke of 2x4's so the brake rotor doesn't touch the ground.
Break the bead by driving over it.
I have 3 of the large curved tire irons and they work like a dream.
Prop up the rim with a couplke of 2x4's so the brake rotor doesn't touch the ground.
Break the bead by driving over it.
I have 3 of the large curved tire irons and they work like a dream.
I do same
drive over it, couple 8" motion pro tire irons, soapy water or windex whatever is closest, takes no time at all.
I can get my tires mounted and balanced free at a friends shop, but it's about 10 minutes from my house..
The time it takes me to drive there and back, I could spoon my tires myself and not hassle him
06-24-2009, 09:44 PM
#47
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Location: joi-zee
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Re: harbor freight tire changer
06-25-2009, 10:07 PM
#51
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Location: the roads less traveled
Posts: 462
Re: harbor freight tire changer
06-25-2009, 10:56 PM
#52
takingitbacktotheoldskool
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: CLRH2O
Age: 47
Posts: 1,395
Re: harbor freight tire changer
^^^ im sure those work quite well. i want to know if a towel or something else lying around will suffice in saving my rim from being scratched by the spoons.
06-25-2009, 11:12 PM
#53
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: the roads less traveled
Posts: 462
Re: harbor freight tire changer
spoons maybe, tire iron rip em. i tried cutting a plastic milk jug up n using it, no dice either.
i think ima buy a bead breaker and try n keep the sidewall pushed into the "V" of the rim to make it esasier.
i think ima buy a bead breaker and try n keep the sidewall pushed into the "V" of the rim to make it esasier.
06-26-2009, 03:54 AM
#54
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: O'side, CA
Age: 44
Posts: 2,198
Re: harbor freight tire changer
Those nylon rim protectors work great. I use them. As for using a towel or something, it doesn't work. I even tried putting a nice amount of duct tape on the ends of the tire iron along with a towel and it still didn't work out. Not sure if those rim protectors are any good but the ones I got are tough as hell. Called Pro something. Got them at my local bike shop.
06-26-2009, 10:50 AM
#56
takingitbacktotheoldskool
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: CLRH2O
Age: 47
Posts: 1,395
Re: harbor freight tire changer
http://www.pbase.com/fredharmon/tirechange
i found this looking around and there seems to be some good ideas there.
i found this looking around and there seems to be some good ideas there.
06-26-2009, 11:52 AM
#57
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: O'side, CA
Age: 44
Posts: 2,198
Re: harbor freight tire changer
I've seen so many people go to the track and put on brand new tires there and never balance their tires. Then go out and straight kill it.
07-01-2009, 07:54 PM
#58
brabuhburbuh
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: NY
Age: 41
Posts: 2,829
Re: harbor freight tire changer
balance matters. i can feel the difference while riding. having a heavy spot of a tire spinning round and round aint cool in my book. for the people at the track that dont do it and kill it, good for them. theres also people who jump off niagra falls in a barrell and survive just fine, but that dont mean im gonna do it.
07-01-2009, 09:27 PM
#59
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Vegas
Posts: 99
