| Author | Message | ||
     Tpehak |
Hello, I recently gave my wheel to a motorcycle service to remove the tires because of removing front tire is PITA and I'm going to powder coat the rims. I've done replacing both rear front tires before. I have 240 mm Pirelli Diablo Sport Tire 240/40-18 on rear and it can be super easy removed and mounted with zip-ties method. But replacing the front tire Pirelli Diablo 120/70ZR17 is nightmare. I've replaced front tire once and it was horrible experience. I scratched my front rim and spent a lot of time and effort. I tried zip ties and spoons, and I do not remember which way worked for me, but I do remember both was super sweaty and one of them did not work for me. So I now gave my tires to a professional mechanic with professional electric-pneumatic tire changer. And, he damaged my front tire during removing it!!! And probably scratched the front wheel rim too, but I can't exactly say because of it already had scratches after my attempts. So after removing the front tire has deformed bead and crack where the mechanic stick pry-bar and applied force to stretch the bead over the rim lip. I was going to reuse this tire but now I can't because of it will leak. I saw how he changed the front tire and it was real struggle. He put all his weight over the tool. He said this tire is rock hard. So as I understand all those easy tire swap videos on YouTube are about changing soft tires, not that rock hard tires like Pirelli Diablo which go stock on Buell XB. So my question is what tire do you use for your front wheel on your Buell XB and how soft it is comparing with stock Front Pirelli Diablo tire? I do not want to damage my freshly powder coated rims again. And I do not want to pay to mechanic $50 to damage my freshly painted reams and new tires if I can do it on my own just using zip ties. (Message edited by TPEHAK on November 17, 2019) | ||
| Tpehak |
Here is what professional mechanic had done removing the front tire with professional tire changing equipment.  I don't trust this service anymore. I decided to order this portable tire changer from Germany, will see if it will work. https://max2h.com/en/tire-changer-evo2-12-21 | ||
| Livers |
Or buy American: https://www.nomartirechanger.com/ | ||
| Tpehak |
Yes, I was considering it, but then found they use levers instead of their nomar stick to mount snug Honda Goldwing tire which probably makes their setup just half useful for hard tires. I also saw a bunch of reports the plastic tip on the stick can be broken if used with stiff tires. https://youtu.be/V2xVzulKrJc It also takes more space and requires attaching it to the ground. It is more expensive. I also believe that plastic tip on the nomar bar can actually damage powdercoat finish because of it has smaller contact area with rim an maintains higher pressure on the rim lip as a result. I bought nomar yellow thing, lube and levers though to use it in conjunction with that German tire changer. (Message edited by Tpehak on November 22, 2019) | ||
| Livers |
If you do a lot of Goldwing tires, perhaps. If you do dirt bike tires, you'll still be spooning those as well. Let us know how it goes with the an unanchored setup. | ||
| Tpehak |
I will. But you actually can anchor that German tire changer as well if it will be necessary. https://youtu.be/3jdlVWsHzDs (Message edited by TPEHAK on November 23, 2019) | ||
| Tpehak |
Just picked up my freshly satin black powder coated rims and installed the rear tire effortlessly withing 10 minutes using just 4 zip ties and Nomar Tire installation lube without a single scratch. That Nomar lube is awesome, it is super slick and does not dry during installation unlike soapy water does. When I did it with soapy water it required pressurizing the tire well over 40 PSI for few times to set the tire. But with this Nomar lube the tire set at just 15 PSI from first try. I'm still waiting my tire changer from Germany. I already know that zip tie method does not work for front Buell XB wheel and spoon method is PITA and causes scratches on the rim.     | ||
| Livers |
Take some of that lube and throw a dollop in a spray bottle, add water, shake well. Perfect for unmounting any tire. Use it full strength on your tools, also. No nicks. | ||
| Tpehak |
OK, it looks like it will take forever to get the tire changer here from Germany. The tire changer has been shipped month ago and tracking number already three weeks shows Pre-Shipment status. I have no idea how long it will take to have it here in the US, maybe half a year? Anyway, I have no time to wait for such long, so I made my own tire changer similar to that German Max2H tire changer, but I used just plywood and cheap nylon duck head. Today I mounted the front tire and it works just awesome! So the conclusion is that the max2h tire changer is much much better than No-Mar tire changers. It takes less space (you can care it in the small bag!), no need to concrete floor mount (you can clamp it to the table use it as is), you can change your tires even in you living room, it is easier to handle and requires less force to slide the tire bead over the rim lip, and it is cheaper than any No-Mar solution! The only downside, such tire changers exist only in Europe for some reason, so you have to wait for long time until it will be delivered in the USA. Here how I attached my front tire with similar tool I built http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/862327.html?1577001812 | ||
| Tpehak |
Alright, good news. Finally the Max2H tire changes has arrived. Everything is nicely packed in double wall cardboard box   The tire changer box is pretty small but heavy. It weights about 20 kg  The stuff is nicely packed  They even included instructions   The duck head is similar to what I bought on Amazon for my plywood tire changer http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/862327.html?1577001812  And now I can change tires right in my living room!  You can assemble and disassemble the tire changer withing a minute! And it takes very small space!  So for only $235 you have tire changer which performs significantly better than No Mar tire changer, takes less pace, no floor attachment required and twice cheaper!  The only issue they sent me 20mm balancer shaft instead of Extended shaft 20mm. I need Extended Shaft to change tire on my 240 rear wheel. But it is not big issue, just $25 loss and I will probably use zip ties method for my 240 mm rear wheel anyway. If I will really need extended shaft for 240 mm rear wheel I will probably build my own shaft from 20 mm diameter steel rod instead of ordering it again from Germany. But for front Buell XB wheel and for stock Buel XB rear wheel this tire changer should work flawlessly. I already installed my front tire with similar tool I made http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/862327.html?1577001812 (Message edited by TPEHAK on January 04, 2020) | ||
| Tpehak |
There you go  | ||
| Ceejay |
So did it work for the front? I’m wrestling with some metezler tires right now via the old school - levers and rim protectors and it’s not going so well. Considering a tire machine. I had Avon storms that went on really easy old school style but only lasted about 4K miles. I had metezelers before and they are good but I’d forgotten how freaking stiff they are. Not having fun even with the rear so I’d love to hear some more info on the tire changer you picked up as I’m considering a no mar myself. | ||
| Ceejay |
Just saw your linked post so I’m guessing it will do the front tires just as well, as your homemade design mimics the max...Good stuff tpehak. | ||
| Tpehak |
It worked for front very well. I replaced the front with tires spoons and rim protectors before and it was nightmare and PITA and I scratched the rim. But this tire changer makes the work easy and no scratches on the rim. In addition to the tire changer you need a yellow thing helper, a gray tire clamp bead holder, a spoon and lube. I think this tire changer is way better than Nomar. (Message edited by TPEHAK on May 03, 2021) | ||
| Ceejay |
So I finally got my Max2H Evo tire changer - you (Tpehak) weren't kidding about the long lead time. Mine was 6 weeks. A bit of preface - previously I'd been using Avon Storms. Decent tire with great grip - probably saved my butt from an accident a few times actually. Bonus was I could put the Avons on by hand with three levers and a makeshift bead breaker. Downside was that they only last about 5k miles and get pretty squirrelly at 4k. So I switched to Metzelers. Good looking tire with a profile I really like but has a much stiffer carcass than the Avon's. After getting the now completely bald Avon off, I tried a number of times to put the new metzeler on. Let it sit in the sun, liberal application of soap, a bunch of levers, some new scratches, I had one side on. After hours of cursing, knees screaming at me, and my family shaking their head, I threw in the towel. I packed up my rear wheel and went to the harley shop - "we can't get to it today, maybe three days from now." Ouch. Threw my rim/tire back in the trunk. Next day went to cycle world. "Our tire machine is down, try again next week," is what the pretty lady told me. Damn. Went home did some research and was all set to purchase a No-Mar; figuring that I'm getting older, the tool will save some wear and tear on me, my rim, and money spent on whisky to quell the anger, plus maybe I can do some friend's tires to help off set the cost. Bonus would be that after about 6 full changes it will have paid for itself as HD charges 45 per. Then I saw Tpehak's info and figured that might be a better way to go. I'll save garage space and it's cheaper - by quite a bit. So I ordered one up, not thinking that it would actually take 6 weeks to get here - oops. It showed up on Friday night so I went at putting the thing together. Nice unit, well made and a really straight forward piece of equipment. Got it all put together and five minutes later I had my rear tire on. It literally took more time to unpack and put the tool together than it did to put my tire on. Crap, why didn't I do this before. I didn't even finish a beer. Had the rear wheel mounted and riding the bike in an hour. Jeez. I had already gotten a balancer so I only got the changer. That duck head thing is awesome. I had already had the tire removed so I didn't get to test the bead breaker but it looks like it will work just fine. Much better than my 2X4 attached to sideways trailer hitch inserted into the receiver jerry rig that I had been using before. Things may go sideways upon doing the front tire, they've always been tougher for me, but I really don't envision that happening due to the design of the thing. I still have to make some adjustments as I did need help from my family holding the thing down - you can get a lot of force into a two foot bar so the tool did want to rotate. I'll probably mod it so that it fits into my hitch, just so the car doesn't feel left out, or maybe attach it in someway to my trailer, or just keep asking my boys for a little help. Regardless, This tool is well worth it, if for no other reason than being I no longer have to get angry at my rims/tires. No scratches, tires on in five minutes, no huge amount of prep, and not a huge exertion of energy to get the job done. Plus I don't have to go to the damn shops either. I might even see if it can do my cars. Thanks TpeHak! | ||
| Ceejay |
As an update - took me 45 mins to do a front tire change. Bike up on stand, front wheel out, pull valve core, tire off, do a check of things, new front over and onto rim, pop beads with air compressor, balance, and reinstall wheel, check torque values and tire pressure, ride around. Very happy with this tool purchase and recommend it to any do it yourselfer. Still needs a little bit of levering and I might get a bead keeper as Tpehak mentioned as I can see that making it even smoother. |
