Between my 3 bikes (one of which is a track bike so I'm constantly changing out tires) my tire expenses have been adding up so I started doing a little research on how to change, mount, and balance them myself. It ended up being a lot easier than I thought and I'm saving a lot of $!! Follow these links to get started...

Harbor Freight Tire Changer:
https://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=34542
Harbor Freight Motorcycle attachment that is needed:
https://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=42927

(I bought both of the above on sale for $40 each... total $80)

Watch these videos first to see how to CORRECTLY use the tire changer in general (these are for regular tires, the next videos will be for motorcycle tires).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LAABOgXU1s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbfXfnv5 ... re=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=todRCLZJ ... re=related

And now for the good stuff... Videos showing Harbor Freight MOTORCYCLE Tire changer in action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_34kAlZALg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_J5_sRRiAk


This guy doesn't use the Harbor Freight changer but he gives a lot of good info on changing tires in general...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Pfp2Z9k ... re=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AerHAYs435s

And now for the balancing act!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WHkSPZJ ... re=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2AuivYzaBs

Excellent instructions on how to modify the changer to fit larger lipped wheels but more importantly... how to effectively mount/anchor it down if you don't want to bolt it into the floor.
https://www.advrider.com/Wisdom/TireChangerMods1.0.pdf

Portable!!!!
https://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18932

Interesting instructions on how to use lashing straps to mount a tire without using anything... not even a pry bar!!!! I actually use this technique to hold the tire bead together while prying on the last and final part of the bead. By pulling the bead together on the opposite side of where you are prying on the final part of the bead, it enables the tire to move up into the "valley" or deep part of the wheel/rim so you have more slack to get the final bead over the rim.
https://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=299597

Enjoy!!!!


Dru
05' Honda Rebel
00' Yamaha R6
00' Aprilia RS50

Pretty good stuff!! Thanx for the info. I'm going to check into it and get back to you. I'm getting ready for a new set of tires, and between me and a few of the other guys that seems like a do-able option.
rk

great post thanks much
https://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=299597

Wow, thanks for the post, I learned a lot..

by the time you buy all the tools it takes years for it all to pay for itself, I have someone that does the mount and balance for 20 bucks a wheel. Now if you had a few friends and everyone chipped in on it so the tools got used often than it would easily pay for itself in no time.

I have been changing my own tires since 1970, never bothered with weights for balance because they fall off anyway. The answer today is Dynabeads, you put them in the tire and everytime the tire goes over 20mph your tire is balanced, compensates for wear or if you hit things and take chunks out. I have used them now on 6 tires, never knew how smooth my flh could be. They say they are not good for dragracing. tractor trailers have been using them for years.

AAAAAAAAAWWWWW!!!!!!!!

I hate when that happens...
but if you change your own tires you only have yourself to blame