Who owns a home Tire Changer?

I've watched several videos on youtube demonstrating the harbor freight tire changer. I'd go for it; it looks good to me and it's a simple tool. There really isn't anything to break. The effort to use it is minimal as far as changing a tire goes and you can pretty much stand up straight while you use it.

Check out some of those videos for yourself. I find youtube has the best reviews. A lot of negative written reviews on the site are often idiots that don't read the product descriptions before buying and get disappointed when their cheap tool won't perform magic tricks.

 

Im in the same specdog with it causing me severe back pain I end up paying the shops to do it for me.Granite it only cost me $25 to have it done but to me its worth it so I don't have to suffer.my neighbor has this old antque tire changer that uses air pressure but its been sitting for so long it would need a restore to get going properly again.Luckily I have only the rear tire to change for this years riding season.

 

I'm waiting still for the investment to come through, but I have sights set on new rubber. I've considered various options, including the harbor freight machine and low prices on free shipped tires, but savings for me to do it myself begins after installing 3 sets of tires. if I pull the wheels and bring to my LBS, they will install the tires free with purchase of tires, which is more expensive after three sets.... But I like supporting local small business when I can

 

It's never going to be completely effortless unless you spend many thousands on a professional machine.

Don't forget the time and travel expenses involved in having someone else change tires for you. Gas isn't free and even if you don't need an appointment the whole process takes longer and is more annoying than doing it yourself right there in the garage.

 

I don't own one but if your looking for idea's to build your own, try here

http://www.homemadetools.net/category/motorcycle

Or at least, kill some time

 

Ken here from HomemadeTools.net.

I know this thread is an old one, but thanks for the link!

To celebrate our 20,000th homemade tool, we made a new ebook featuring our top 50 homemade tools. You guys are welcome to it for free:

http://download.homemadetools.net/50MustReadTools.pdf

 

I've changed hundreds of sets of tires with the HF tire changer. It works fine, with a few mods:

http://www.jvbproductions.com/Tire_Change.html

Jim