Harbor Freight Tire Changer

My dad just sent me this link and I just had to share it with you guys. :thumbsup:

From http://www.motorcycl...read.php?t=3737:

The Harbor Freight tire changing machine is pretty handy and there's more than a few motorcyclists that use it. You have to be careful because in it's stock form, it's a rim scratching fiend.

I have decided to someday soon buy a Nomar tire changer, however I had already started the mods on my HF machine, so I finished them.

Here's my HF in stock form, with my MoJo lever from Mitch, it works pretty good BTW, once you figure it out.

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I coated the rim hold downs with the plasticote you see and an old inner tube. Worked OK, but we can do better.

Here's the FrankenRog HF machine now:

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Please excuse my messy garage

I ground off the rim scratching hold downs

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I did manage to set my golf bag on fire...just a couple of small burn holes.
Safety Note...DON"T do this in shorts....I know better, but stupidy came over me, I WAS wearing my safety glasses.

Here's the HDPE (high density polypropylene plastic) I used and the now scratch free rim hold downs

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That's right...a 1/2 cutting board...2 for 7 bucks at the local grocery store. I cut it up and glued them together to make a block 1 1/2" thick.

I put a 5/8 inch radius in the block, be perfect to hold the wheel

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one 1/4 bolt to hold it on...it's solid. I always used a ratching tie down to keep the wheel from spinning in the hold downs, and I might not need to now.

Breaking the bead is a great way to scratch a wheel..DAMHIK...so I covered that also

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You can't see it, but all the bolt heads are recessed, no metal will come in contact with the wheel at any time during the tire change.

As far as my pivot point for using the MoJo lever, it is a 3/4 OD thickwall pipe. 3 feet long.

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That bad boy is solid....I dare you to bend it. Now you can walk the lever around the machine without that arm in the way.

I have 3 anchors sunk into floor of my big garage to mount the machine to during a tire change.

I'm thinking this HF machine might work pretty good now. Feel free to copy my ideas, or add to them. Did I leave anything out?
All these mods cost me less than 25 bucks, and a few hours of my time.

I'll do a tire change pictorial soon.

Yeah!!! Pretty awesome. :rolleyes: I'm heading to the store tonight to buy me a cutting board. :D

Very cool, now all you need is those ends on the pry bar too and you got it made! :thumbsup:

I did the same thing on mine with some delrin blocks. The only problem is that the rim tends to spin when you're really prying on the tire because of the slick surface. Easily solved with a tie-down strap or an extra set of hands though.

Great idea guys! But I do my best scratching with the tire irons. That removal bar is only good for poping the bead IMO.

Nice! :thumbsup:

I'm still waiting for a good sale on those changers...

Another HF tire changer with different improvements!!!! And it's portable! :o

From: http://www.gl1800rid...pic.php?t=98140

I am using the Harbor Freight Motorcycle adapter unit that I modified using the plastic spindles for cruiser and dirt bike rims from No-Mar. These clamp the rim really well and create no scratches. $12 for a set of six spindles and bolts with lifetime guarantee....Everything I'm using that touches the wheel is plastic, so absolutely no scratches.

Using the Marc Parnes balancer, it is easy to use and accurate to 1/4 oz or 7 grams. I highly recommend this unit for balancing.

I have had several request to show my mods to the HF changer that I posted earlier, so here are some photos.

[image: Posted Image]

No-Mar spindles attached to cut and drilled 1/4" plates. I drilled and taped the holes for the spindles and countersunk the mount screw under the spindles through the original blocks on the HF unit. I also put teflon sheet under them to make sure the rim does not hit the plate and scratch.

[image: Posted Image] [image: Posted Image] [image: Posted Image] [image: Posted Image]

Teflon sheet covering bead breaker

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I made a hitch mount to attach the changer, so I do not have to bolt to floor and is portable.

I turned a spindle that I welded to the hitch mount I made. The HF changer slides down on the spindle and I drilled a hole in the side of the spindle that the clamp knob screws into locking the unit on the spindle. Back out the screw and the unit lifts off. I also bored a hole in the spindle, so I can insert a 3/4 rod through the wheel and into the spindle. This eliminates using the top rod holder on the changer. Makes it easy to use the Mojo lever.

Hope this helps for those interested.

[image: Posted Image]

You buy the plastic sprindles that are mentioned in the post from NoMar here: http://www.king-cart...act_match=exact

The spindles aren't quite as cheap as a generic kitchen cutting board (99� to $2.99), but this will be the way I'm going to go with my HF changer. Except, instead of teflon I'll probably use the cutting board material underneath the spindles and for the bead breaker (since I already bought a couple of cheap cutting boards). :thumbsup:

Another HF tire changer with different improvements!!!! And it's portable! :o

From: http://www.gl1800rid...pic.php?t=98140

I am using the Harbor Freight Motorcycle adapter unit that I modified using the plastic spindles for cruiser and dirt bike rims from No-Mar. These clamp the rim really well and create no scratches. $12 for a set of six spindles and bolts with lifetime guarantee....Everything I'm using that touches the wheel is plastic, so absolutely no scratches.

Using the Marc Parnes balancer, it is easy to use and accurate to 1/4 oz or 7 grams. I highly recommend this unit for balancing.

I have had several request to show my mods to the HF changer that I posted earlier, so here are some photos.

[image: Posted Image]

No-Mar spindles attached to cut and drilled 1/4" plates. I drilled and taped the holes for the spindles and countersunk the mount screw under the spindles through the original blocks on the HF unit. I also put teflon sheet under them to make sure the rim does not hit the plate and scratch.

[image: Posted Image] [image: Posted Image] [image: Posted Image] [image: Posted Image]

Teflon sheet covering bead breaker

[image: Posted Image] [image: Posted Image]

I made a hitch mount to attach the changer, so I do not have to bolt to floor and is portable.

I turned a spindle that I welded to the hitch mount I made. The HF changer slides down on the spindle and I drilled a hole in the side of the spindle that the clamp knob screws into locking the unit on the spindle. Back out the screw and the unit lifts off. I also bored a hole in the spindle, so I can insert a 3/4 rod through the wheel and into the spindle. This eliminates using the top rod holder on the changer. Makes it easy to use the Mojo lever.

Hope this helps for those interested.

[image: Posted Image]

You buy the plastic sprindles that are mentioned in the post from NoMar here: http://www.king-cart...act_match=exact

The spindles aren't quite as cheap as a generic kitchen cutting board (99� to $2.99), but this will be the way I'm going to go with my HF changer. Except, instead of teflon I'll probably use the cutting board material underneath the spindles and for the bead breaker (since I already bought a couple of cheap cutting boards). :thumbsup:

Thanks! There are some excellent picture how to threads on that board as well.

The Wing guys do a lot of tire changing!

I have been using old kevlar bead bicycle tire casings. This works so far but like the NO Mar stuff which gets favorable reviews.

So anyone Here on vfrd tried these upgrades..

How did it work for you..

Tips or tricks????????

That Mojolever looks like it could take a lot of the work out of dismounting and mounting tires.
Compared to tire irons. :laugh:

Just curious, what do you do-it-yourselfers do for balancing? static bubble balance also yourself, or take it somewhere for a balance??

Just curious, what do you do-it-yourselfers do for balancing? static bubble balance also yourself, or take it somewhere for a balance??

Marc Parnes makes a very nice balancer: http://www.marcparnes.com/

Just curious, what do you do-it-yourselfers do for balancing? static bubble balance also yourself, or take it somewhere for a balance??

Static Bubble balancers (the ones you sit the tire on n add weights till it centers) are way too inacurate..

get a static balancer like from Marc parnes..

Just an update.. Also not too sure whether to start a new thread or not but i may after i actually get a chance to change a set of tires..

Marcparnes balancers.. The guy is very easy to deal with and answers any questions you may have to the point and on a timely basis..

Also Preston Drake, Who offers the Mojo lever. Very eas to deal with and very timely replies on questions..

Both had my items shipped the same day or the next morning.. The mojo lever n blocks arrived with in 2 days..
I cant wait to try these out for changing tires and will post up as soon as i do.. I also got the Mojo blocks from preston Drake that bolt to the HF tire changer to prevent scratching your wheels in the clamps. so i will be adding these before hand..

More to come later..

Just an update.. Also not too sure whether to start a new thread or not but i may after i actually get a chance to change a set of tires..

Marcparnes balancers.. The guy is very easy to deal with and answers any questions you may have to the point and on a timely basis..

Also Preston Drake, Who offers the Mojo lever. Very eas to deal with and very timely replies on questions..

Both had my items shipped the same day or the next morning.. The mojo lever n blocks arrived with in 2 days..
I cant wait to try these out for changing tires and will post up as soon as i do.. I also got the Mojo blocks from preston Drake that bolt to the HF tire changer to prevent scratching your wheels in the clamps. so i will be adding these before hand..

More to come later..

I also picked up a lever and a set of blocks. I have only tried 1 dirt tire with them so far. It did work, but I was by myself, and my HF tire changer is not mounted. I think the key is to have the changer mounted, so it doesn't move around. I have the stuff to mount it to the garage floor, but I need to get a roto-hammer to drill the concrete.

Just an update.. Also not too sure whether to start a new thread or not but i may after i actually get a chance to change a set of tires..

Marcparnes balancers.. The guy is very easy to deal with and answers any questions you may have to the point and on a timely basis..

Also Preston Drake, Who offers the Mojo lever. Very eas to deal with and very timely replies on questions..

Both had my items shipped the same day or the next morning.. The mojo lever n blocks arrived with in 2 days..
I cant wait to try these out for changing tires and will post up as soon as i do.. I also got the Mojo blocks from preston Drake that bolt to the HF tire changer to prevent scratching your wheels in the clamps. so i will be adding these before hand..

More to come later..

I also picked up a lever and a set of blocks. I have only tried 1 dirt tire with them so far. It did work, but I was by myself, and my HF tire changer is not mounted. I think the key is to have the changer mounted, so it doesn't move around. I have the stuff to mount it to the garage floor, but I need to get a roto-hammer to drill the concrete.

Mounting the changer makes a huge difference if you don't have an extra body to help hold it. One thing I did was bolt mine to a 4' dia. sheet of MDF to make it portable and I screwed 1x2's in a few spots to step on for leverage.

Just an update.. Also not too sure whether to start a new thread or not but i may after i actually get a chance to change a set of tires..

Marcparnes balancers.. The guy is very easy to deal with and answers any questions you may have to the point and on a timely basis..

Also Preston Drake, Who offers the Mojo lever. Very eas to deal with and very timely replies on questions..

Both had my items shipped the same day or the next morning.. The mojo lever n blocks arrived with in 2 days..
I cant wait to try these out for changing tires and will post up as soon as i do.. I also got the Mojo blocks from preston Drake that bolt to the HF tire changer to prevent scratching your wheels in the clamps. so i will be adding these before hand..

More to come later..

I also picked up a lever and a set of blocks. I have only tried 1 dirt tire with them so far. It did work, but I was by myself, and my HF tire changer is not mounted. I think the key is to have the changer mounted, so it doesn't move around. I have the stuff to mount it to the garage floor, but I need to get a roto-hammer to drill the concrete.

Picked up a Mig welder at northern tool the other week and plan to build a hitch mount for mine.. Instead of drilling your garage floor why not a pices of 3/4" plywood the size n wait should keep it pretty stable and no holes in the concrete. Or just get several feet of steel channel like the base and make the legs longer..

Just a thought..

It's the rotational force that needs to be blocked on these, a big board at the base "locked" against a wall sounds like a good, cheap, quick idea.

Just an update.. Also not too sure whether to start a new thread or not but i may after i actually get a chance to change a set of tires..

Marcparnes balancers.. The guy is very easy to deal with and answers any questions you may have to the point and on a timely basis..

Also Preston Drake, Who offers the Mojo lever. Very eas to deal with and very timely replies on questions..

Both had my items shipped the same day or the next morning.. The mojo lever n blocks arrived with in 2 days..
I cant wait to try these out for changing tires and will post up as soon as i do.. I also got the Mojo blocks from preston Drake that bolt to the HF tire changer to prevent scratching your wheels in the clamps. so i will be adding these before hand..

More to come later..

I also picked up a lever and a set of blocks. I have only tried 1 dirt tire with them so far. It did work, but I was by myself, and my HF tire changer is not mounted. I think the key is to have the changer mounted, so it doesn't move around. I have the stuff to mount it to the garage floor, but I need to get a roto-hammer to drill the concrete.

Picked up a Mig welder at northern tool the other week and plan to build a hitch mount for mine.. Instead of drilling your garage floor why not a pices of 3/4" plywood the size n wait should keep it pretty stable and no holes in the concrete. Or just get several feet of steel channel like the base and make the legs longer..

Just a thought..

I thought about the plywood, but then it would be a pain to move around. I acually have some channel that I could mount it to, but then its a pain to move around. I have 1000 square feet of junk stuffed in a 300 square foot garage, so I dont want to take up the space. I was going to drill some anchors into the floor. Then just move the HFTC to that location and bolt it into place. When done just unbolt and put away.

I like the hitch mount idea. Hmmmmmm

They sell hitch mounts for the NoMar... so using square tubing you could even just bolt one together..

Get 2 foot of square tubing Id and Od matched to build up the size. I have a 1 1/4" hitch n my car but a 2" hitch would be easier i guess. slid one inside the other drill n bolt together. Then just botl it to the HF base.. Should be easy to mount dismount from the hitch..

It's the rotational force that needs to be blocked on these, a big board at the base "locked" against a wall sounds like a good, cheap, quick idea.

I have my HF on Plywood. I just use a tie down to tow it around to where I want, which is a one man operation. Sometimes the rig goes in the driveway sometimes in the garage ............depends on the weather. I just park the VFR/Wing on the plywood so I do not loose any garage space. In fact it is better that way as the foundation/plywood prevents the HF from falling over and screwing up one of my bikes, bicycles, crap etc.

They sell hitch mounts for the NoMar... so using square tubing you could even just bolt one together..

Here is the NoMar and hitch in action. Nice rig but I will stick with my HF and plywood.

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Another option for those of you that have bike lifts is to bolt the changer to the top of the lift. Glue the nuts to the bottom of the lift, make up some big wing bolts and you can bolt it down or remove it in a matter of seconds. Works perfectly.

Nice! :thumbsup:

I'm still waiting for a good sale on those changers...

I don't ride a VFRD...but I ride a Honda...(700SC)....and a dirtbike that's NOT a Honda...and a sand machine that's not a Honda either... Does that count? :ph34r:

Signed up just to tell 'ya all that HF has finally put those changers on sale. I've been looking for quite awhile..maybe I missed it some earlier time, but they're selling both pieces for $39.99ea! They're usually some over $50 each.

I've got my MoJo lever...my MoJo blocks..just waiting for the HF units to go on sale!!

Good thing the last part happened when I'm broke. Oh well...........where's my Visa card?????

Cheers!!

Nice! :thumbsup:

I'm still waiting for a good sale on those changers...

I don't ride a VFRD...but I ride a Honda...(700SC)....and a dirtbike that's NOT a Honda...and a sand machine that's not a Honda either... Does that count? :lurk:

Signed up just to tell 'ya all that HF has finally put those changers on sale. I've been looking for quite awhile..maybe I missed it some earlier time, but they're selling both pieces for $39.99ea! They're usually some over $50 each.

I've got my MoJo lever...my MoJo blocks..just waiting for the HF units to go on sale!!

Good thing the last part happened when I'm broke. Oh well...........where's my Visa card?????

Cheers!!

Woo Hoo!

Great first post, thanks!

Stick around, we might just convert ya... :ph34r:

Of course it did...because I bought mine 4 weeks ago after waiting FOREVER.

They also opened a store 15 miles closer to me since then....good heavens.

Umm... hold the phone.. just went to the website, doesn't show as being on sale. Still $50 for the bottom/$60 for the top???

canyncarvr, are you a club member or something with special pricing? Is it a store sale only?

No coupon deals in my HF email "specials" that arrived today.

?????

Who needs to improve the HF tire changer when you can just go out and buy a


NO-MAR.

Its the best!!!

Who needs the No-Mar tire changer when you can just go out and buy a


HF TIRE CHANGER

It's cheap!!!

Who needs to improve the HF tire changer when you can just go out and buy a


NO-MAR.

Its the best!!!

HHMM let me see.... Over 1000.00 for a Complete nomar setup or close to it.

.......... OR.............


A HF tire changer, Mojo blocks, Mojo Bar, A few nuts n bolts, Plastic cutting board and less than 1 hour of your time... add in a Marc Parnes Balancer for good measure and you still wont come close to 400.00 And have every thing you need but the Wheel and tires...

I agree with you Darth...

Umm... hold the phone.. just went to the website, doesn't show as being on sale. Still $50 for the bottom/$60 for the top???

canyncarvr, are you a club member or something with special pricing? Is it a store sale only?

Sorry for the delay. Been riding.......

Nope. No club member, no special pricing. The flyer I got in the mail listed it as on sale. That particular flyer listed the end of the sale as August 25. I realize that's not much help at this point. Had I clicked on the 'email notify' button I would've posted this yesterday (8-25..with one more day of the sale left).

When I went to the local store, the display model had signage that indicated it was on sale, also.

I had checked the website, too. It did NOT list the sale price.

I ordered a set of mojo blocks some months back to have on hand when I finally got my changer. Think I can FIND them now? Of course not!! ..just asked Mitch if he had them in stock so I can order another set.

Mounted mine on a 1/2 sheet of 3/4" CDX using those washers with teeth in them to stick to the plywood...the washers with square holes in them to fit a carriage bolt (wanted a round head on the bottom of the plywood). After drilling the holes I realized the hole in the changer on the bead-break side is conveniently right in the way of things. Just drilled another hole in the HF foot closer in to the pedestal. Make note of that if you're drilling holes in your garage floor. I'd be real unhappy to find I holed my floor for an insert I couldn't use.

Another note: After fussing with my dirtbike wheel sprocket down (to keep the teeth out of my way) for a couple of minutes, I realized there is not enough ROOM (height) to put a dirtbike wheel on the HF changer that way. Probably varies by make/model, but my Kaw wheel didn't fit. Had to place it sprocket UP. A set of mojo blocks will give me enough depth to fix that.

Didn't have any luck with the mojo lever for the demount process. Not enough room to get the round end past the bead without likely damage to the tube. Won't have that problem (I think) on a tubeless tire!

Looks like HF isn't carrying the motorcycle wheel attachment anymore and I need one. :pissed: