HFT tire changer works well

[russg]

So back when they were on sale. I purchased a tire changer at Harbor Freight and read all the posts about using it. I picked up a Marc Pharnes balancer and a NoMar bar. (the ones made by a local to the board were out of stock at the time)

 

I sanded the clamps on the tire changer and used tool dip to coat them several times. I got a set of Avon Storms in time to go to "Laid Back Affair" in two weeks so I decided I'd try things out.

 

The hardest part was getting the tire changer bolted to the floor of my garage. I don't know what kind of concrete it is but it is tough.

 

I have to say, the videos from the NoMar site were the best and after trying it out I can now say I've done it and it really wasn't that bad.

 

Notes:

Don't lose the little white plastic parts that comes with the balancer. I can't find mine now and had to make something up.

[Richard_D]

I looked at buying one yesterday .I went to Cycle Gear to see what they had and found out they will change your tires for $15 each and balance them for $5. 7 days a week too. I'll never change my own again for that price.

[Mr_Ed]

I looked at buying one yesterday .I went to Cycle Gear to see what they had and found out they will change your tires for $15 each and balance them for $5. 7 days a week too. I'll never change my own again for that price.

Your experience at Cyclegear is better than mine. I found out that they won't mount tires that you did not purchase from them (their tire prices are higher than what I can get online) AND that they don't always have enough folks on hand to spare someone going to the backroom to mount a new set. Given their requirement to buy tires from them AND having to spend 20 bucks per tire for mounting the only thing that made sense was to do my own. For a planned tire change I'll never go to my dealer or cyclegear again. Ordering online and mounting them myself saves me upwards of $80 per tire change. I recouped the cost of my tire machine very quickly.

[Richard_D]

Today will be my first try. I hope there was no misunderstanding when I said I had my own tires. I also shopped there and bought my tires from SWmoto-tires.I'll let you know how it went .

[smiller]

I found out that they won't mount tires that you did not purchase from them

I have been to many different Cycle Gear stores and have never had that experience.

[farmerp]

+1 for never changing my own again. I found that my local tire shop will change them for $8.00 each.

[Mr_Ed]

I found out that they won't mount tires that you did not purchase from them

I have been to many different Cycle Gear stores and have never had that experience.

You may just be confirming that the guys who run the cyclegear near me are "not customer focused".

[Richard_D]

My first experience was perfect. Wheels were clean and scratch free. Only one needed weights and even though they checked both , they only charged me for one. I believe if you notify someone in corporate , you'll probably find they will change your tires even if you didn't buy them there. However each store may make their own rules.I'm a happy customer. While I waited , I also found things I didn't know I needed. First Gear Mesh Venom jacket reduced to $43.

[Mr_Ed]

My first experience was perfect. Wheels were clean and scratch free. Only one needed weights and even though they checked both , they only charged me for one. I believe if you notify someone in corporate , you'll probably find they will change your tires even if you didn't buy them there. However each store may make their own rules.I'm a happy customer. While I waited , I also found things I didn't know I needed. First Gear Mesh Venom jacket reduced to $43.

 

Richard... That's fantastic. If that kind of service had been available near me I might not have a machine in my garage....but then again... I do like having tools

 

Sorry RussG... we completly highjacked your thread. I'm still with you however.. I love being able to change/mount my own tires. I also really enjoy the company of friends when they come over to do the same thing.

[russg]

I did notice that I chipped my ABS sensor up front. I don't get an alarm so I'm going to seal it with some epoxy and hope not to have to replace it. Somehow, I enjoyed the experience and since it was storming I found myself proud to have something constructive to do yesterday.

 

A friend (Young lady) rides and came over to let me changer her tires. She had just come back from the beach and it sure was nice having a "view" while changing tires.

 

I've offered to have others over now and since I've gotten down to about 20-30 minutes per tire I think I'll have my friends keep my beer fridge stocked.

[strat]

+1 and you might find more lady riders too!!!!

 

Cheers

strat