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Tire Changer Experiences? 26 Mar 2018 19:53 #780870

  • ajsfirehawk
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I've read several reviews about Harbor Freight changers and much more expensive ones. This one looks like it might strike the right balance for me. Anyone here have any experience with the Rabaconda unit? It looks really cool to me. I have NO connections to the company. I'm just an old dude in his garage. It is $375.

rabaconda.com/motorcycle-tire-changer/
79 KZ650 SR
80 KZ1000 Z1 Classic
83 KZ1100 LTD
Z900RS
23 Mach 1

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Tire Changer Experiences? 27 Mar 2018 03:39 #780875

  • bluej58
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I have a No-Mar for around the same price and it works well.
www.nomartirechanger.com/
Tools bought separate
78 KZ1000 A2A
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Last edit: by bluej58.

Tire Changer Experiences? 27 Mar 2018 07:25 #780884

  • Kidkawie
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I use an old car rim with foam water pipe insulation zip tied around the edge. Cost like $5.
1975 Z1 900
1994 KX250 Supermoto
2004 KX125

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Tire Changer Experiences? 27 Mar 2018 09:58 #780892

  • ajsfirehawk
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Thank you both for your thoughts. I went to their website and it does look like they are similar cost products. The No-Mar needs to be anchored into the floor and would be a bit harder to store. Plus I'd lose the ability to come home and get the tire changer if I was stuck with a flat in the mountains. It certainly looks viable although there is a note about moving up to the C200 if you are going to be doing sport touring and sport bike tires. I have a 2006 ZG1000 and I service my brothers 2001 ZRX1200. Big tire on the rear of the Rex especially.

KidKawie, I'm old and have issues with arthritis in my paws. (hands) If I really crank on things with my hands I'm crippled for a couple days. My wife doesn't like undoing my zipper for me so I can whizz. 8-)
79 KZ650 SR
80 KZ1000 Z1 Classic
83 KZ1100 LTD
Z900RS
23 Mach 1

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Tire Changer Experiences? 27 Mar 2018 18:33 #780912

  • ajsfirehawk
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The Rabaconda is exclusively for enduro /dirt bikes. I was banging around for possibilities and spent a fair amount of time on the No-Mar site. I'd pretty much settled on do that and buying the Cycle Hill model. It occurred to me that I should check out Craigslist so I signed on. It must have been my day. 2 weeks ago a guy had the CH-200 for sale because he was moving. Used it to change one set of tires, then got injured riding dirt and is giving it up. It is perfect and snagged it for $450. No shipping, no waiting, I'm really jazzed. I bounced online and and ordered a 3 pack of 14 inch spoons, a Tusk static balancer, wheel weights, a couple Motion Pro rim protectors. Now I'm good and dangerous. Tally ho. The link below for as long as he leaves it up. Has pics

Kidkawie, I should have let you know I admire your ingenuity. That is a pretty slick fix you made there.

fortcollins.craigslist.org/tls/d/motorcy...nger/6529883712.html
79 KZ650 SR
80 KZ1000 Z1 Classic
83 KZ1100 LTD
Z900RS
23 Mach 1

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Tire Changer Experiences? 28 Mar 2018 03:46 #780921

  • bluej58
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Nice catch, that should come with a lot of accessory's hopefully he has the YellowThing included and the ExtraHand is also good for keeping the old tire in the low while removing it.
I installed anchors in the floor so the stand can be moved in less then 5 mins .
78 KZ1000 A2A

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Tire Changer Experiences? 28 Mar 2018 09:21 #780934

  • ajsfirehawk
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I bought a Yellow Thing from Amazon, should be here Friday. As I watched the videos, that looked like something that was more than just handy. I watched three videos from three different sources. Honestly, doesn't look like it could be any easier.
79 KZ650 SR
80 KZ1000 Z1 Classic
83 KZ1100 LTD
Z900RS
23 Mach 1

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Tire Changer Experiences? 28 Mar 2018 15:17 #780941

  • bluej58
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Most of those vids deal with tubeless, that bar is no help with a tube tire.
using the Thing to hold one side of the tire in the low part of the rim and working your way around with a good set of spoons is key.
The ( Extra hand ) works well for removing the tire.
78 KZ1000 A2A

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Last edit: by bluej58.

Tire Changer Experiences? 30 Mar 2018 11:14 #781017

  • KZQ
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I have a No-Mar changer as well.and found that it does great on tubeless tires. For KZs tube types:
I suppose my hands are too big. As I was trying to fit my tires and bead locks at the same time all I was accomplishing was scraping the bark off of the backs of my hands. So I slowed down and built at pair of bead spreaders. They worked great.



Now if I could invent a tool that made installing intake boots as easy as these bead spreaders make installing bead locks, I'd be a rich man.
Bill
www.KZ1300.com
Riders:
1968 BSA 441 Shooting Star, 1970 BSA 650 Lightning, 1974 W3, 1976 KZ900, 1979 KZ750 Twin, 1979 KZ750 Twin Trike, 1981 KZ1300, 1982 KZ1100 Spectre, 2000 Valkyrie, 2009 Yamaha Roadliner S. 1983 GL 1100
Projects:
1985 ZN1300
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Tire Changer Experiences? 30 Mar 2018 16:06 #781029

  • bluej58
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That's a great idea Bill
78 KZ1000 A2A
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Tire Changer Experiences? 31 Mar 2018 08:31 #781069

  • ajsfirehawk
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Cool stuff KZQ. Props for the creative use of your overhead winch on the bike! B)

No-Mark mounted in the floor with female Redhead expansion anchors in the floor and bolts through the top. I also had to chase down about 5 missing fasteners. The balancer showed up late in the day. I hope to give it a whirl today and post some pics.
79 KZ650 SR
80 KZ1000 Z1 Classic
83 KZ1100 LTD
Z900RS
23 Mach 1

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Tire Changer Experiences? 31 Mar 2018 10:37 #781072

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Make sure to plumb and balance your balancer before using it
78 KZ1000 A2A

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