Tire changers

[Quartermain]

Wondering for the future. Does anyone use a Harbor Freight tire changer? What needs to come off of the rear rim to put it on a changer? I know the belt sprocket comes off, but what about the center hole. Will that type changer be small enough diameter to slide over that type changer, or do we need one that "grabs" the rim from underneath.
I don't think those type changers would be small enough diameter unless you would pull the wheel bearings.
Not ready for tires yet but like to do my own maintenance.

[merlot]

hi quarter
i made my own changer
as you mention,grabbing the rim is critical to stop rotation.....to this end,i removed the disc,and fitted studs to the mounting holes
i used the disc as a template for the stud receiver holes
i have a threaded rod passing thru the bearings and slide a tube over this....a nut hods it all down
its mounted to 50x50 mm rhs or box tube which fits to my towbar so i can remove the whole thing
i bought a No-mar Bar and this works extremely well...MUST use liberal amounts of No-mar grease or similar

i must admit i struggled with removing the tyre but as it was a wip at the time,i expect subsequent removals to be much easier
i have several rears with different amounts of wear,and live 1hr from the tyre shop....but also i dont feel good asking the shop to swap tyres when i didnt buy from them

working on a better bead breaker now






russ

[h0gr1der]

Wondering for the future. Does anyone use a Harbor Freight tire changer? What needs to come off of the rear rim to put it on a changer? I know the belt sprocket comes off, but what about the center hole. Will that type changer be small enough diameter to slide over that type changer, or do we need one that "grabs" the rim from underneath.
I don't think those type changers would be small enough diameter unless you would pull the wheel bearings.
Not ready for tires yet but like to do my own maintenance.

I'm not financially wealthy enough to buy an automated changer so I made do with what was available. After much research I bought the Cycle Hill HD. It is the lowest priced one they had. All of them have flaws, but I've read you have to really re-engineer the Harbor Freight one. On the Cycle Hill model you have to install the larger rim clamps to fit the Spyder rim lips, and also when levering the tire on or off you have to stop the rim from spinning in the plastic clamps. You can not clamp it hard enough to stop the rim from spinning without damaging something. I used a ratchet strap and it worked OK. Considering this is a job done (at most for me) every 2 years or so, not too onerous to bear. The Cycle Hill and No Mar products are also made in the USA. I drilled the mounting bolts into my shed concrete, set with the hammer in threaded inserts, so when not in use I can fill the holes with rounded head Allen screws and stow the machine.

[Bensonoid]

I'm not financially wealthy enough to buy an automated changer so I made do with what was available. After much research I bought the Cycle Hill HD. It is the lowest priced one they had. All of them have flaws, but I've read you have to really re-engineer the Harbor Freight one.

I have the Harbor Freight tire changer with the motorcycle wheel attachment and you hit the nail right on the head. Mine works great now but I definitely did some re-engineering.