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I would like to get some suggestions on tire balancers and yire irons from the riders that use them out there.
Now that I have two bikes it would be cost effective to change my own tires now.
Thanks.
http://www.stubbytiretools.com/
no rim savers required. If you have a tire mounting stand like the Harbor Freight ones then I'd get the Mojo or no-mar bars.
I use the Harbor Freight tire balancer.
I have read about the HF,but will the cones work on the BMW rims.I am noticing companies are requiring a larger cone for the single sided swingarms like my K100 and R1150RT.I do like the $ though.
I am doing this to save $, know its done right, and no more traveling to bike shop.
I have read about the HF,but will the cones work on the BMW rims.I am noticing companies are requiring a larger cone for the single sided swingarms like my K100 and R1150RT.I do like the $ though.
I am doing this to save $, know its done right, and no more traveling to bike shop.
Works fine on my front wheel. The rear one needs a Mark Parnes adapter which I need to order.
The HF tire changer reportedly works fine with BMW rims. Some minor mods might be necessary to prevent marring the rim. The HF tire balancer requires an adapter that is not available through HF, even though the part number is listed in the manual and on the box. Additionally the HF website reviews report many problems with bent balancer axles caused by improper packaging. An adapter from another company might work with the HF balancer, but for a no hassle solution, I'd recommend the Marc Parnes balancer.
refer to my post, #3. HF tire changer, but only as a bead breaker, and as the device for holding the wheel when messing with the tire. MoJo blocks are specifically designed to be used with the HF changer to prevent gouging your rims, and the MoJo Lever is THE tool for getting tires on and off the rims. When you order the Parnes balancer, he will sell you the correct sized cones for BMW rims. And, fwiw, those cones will work on oilhead AND airhead wheels. Total cost should come in under $200.
I'll post up a source for tape weights when i get home and can look at my receipt. It was MUCH better priced than what anyone else was offering, and have yet to lose a single one.
sorry, i gave you a slightly low estimate... but that's okay, as you translated everything too high.
HF tire changer is about $50. Marc's balancer is about $100. Mojo blocks about $30. Mojo lever about $100. Tire weights about $30.
so total is about $31o:ish.
at a somewhat conservative estimate of $25/tire change (i know only a few shops that charge that little, most are more. you probably already know what your local place charges, and can adjust from that if you like), and 2 bikes, all your equipment is probably paid for in about 2 years. Unless of course you rack up miles like Paul & Voni, then you'll probably have paid for it all before this year's National in Salem, OR.
I marvel at the psychology involved in this.
Over the years I've discovered that when using my Harbor Freight tire changer it's about twice as easy to do a car tire as it is a motorcycle tire. Up until recently I was an Airhead guy and all my tires had tubes--I'm not even going to attempt a tubeless motorcycle tire.
Before the assembly is even mounted on the changer it's obviously lots easier to dismount (and remount) a car wheel/tire than it is a motorcycle wheel/tire (especially fronts). No worries messing up brake rotors on cars, either.
So, if the number of times one had to change tires was the same, it would suggest doing car tires at home before doing motorcycle tires. But hardly anybody does. (No, you don't need alignment.)
Even given that cars have twice as many tires, it's probably still more expensive in the long run to pay the labor for professional bike tire service because, indeed, bike tires are changed more often. But, offset that with the fact it's REALLY expensive to purchase pro-grade tools for home use and it's REALLY difficult to do a pro-quality job with anything else, where's the point? It may be there but IMHO it's pretty weak.
And it's dubious whether much of this relates to road emergencies, either. Plugging isn't related at all and you simply can't carry enough air power to seat a tubeless bead if that's what's needed. The fact it's a little more feasible for old-timers with tubes really doesn't translate well to modern bikes, either. Methinks you'll be calling a professional and truck transportation.
Well, yes, perhaps cars are utilitarian and motorcycles are toys and there's some sort of guilt in spending too $$ much on toys. (But not personal time--we work cheap) There should be none of that, however, and, yes doing it oneself can be just more fun for the sake of fun, but changing tires? I say life's too short and my time's too valuable.
I'm not even going to attempt a tubeless motorcycle tire.
And it's dubious whether much of this relates to road emergencies, either. Plugging isn't related at all and you simply can't carry enough air power to seat a tubeless bead if that's what's needed.
here's that site for the tape weights, as promised.