Mounting a Motorcycle Tire

Using the Harbor Freight tire changer with motorcycle attachment to mount a tire.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• tire
• mounting
• motorcycle
• harbor
• freight

[Lizzylump]

Are you not using the top piece of the motorcycle tire changer? How'd you get the bar to stay directly up?

[ntmatr]

If the tire is mounted the bar will just sit there without the top piece. I find having to work around the top bit was a PITA, so I stopped using it.

[devinatorp]

What if you have an old bike, like a 73 GT 250 and it has a tube, how do u do that?

[ntmatr]

@devinatorp I used the same machine to change a tubed tire on my DR-650, and it was about the same, although I spent a lot of time making sure I didn't pinch the tube while putting the last bead on.  If you have a pair of tire irons you can just use the rim clamp to hold everything steady while you mount the tire.

[MrGo2000]

Good clip, I like the mod you added to the tyre leaver. I was interest in this unit, but I was worried about the UN-treated steel ends on the leaver. Also as you said, a warm tyre is much easier to work with. Where there no Sun, use a hair drier.Work for me.

[ntmatr]

I started with a bare tool end and left some nice ride paint streaks on my rims. Adding the plastic is a great idea (not mine originally), and a nice saver for the poor rims.

[SuperGsrider]

dude great vid need to make video on beed beaking and removel i just brought one off of greglist plus blancer for 130 now leaning how to use it thanks

[ChgoSTrider]

Instead of the C-clamps, 2 or 3 1/2" to 3/4" wood blocks to push the bead down are all you need. Not real crazy about using furniture polish as a lube. A lot of other better choices out there. Dish soap, shampoo, K-Y jelly (flavor optional) is good as it is water soluble. Too bad the Harbor Freight tire was discontinued. Not a bad piece for the occasional tire changer. Price was right.

[satellitetune]

I liked your video very much.

[gwk4657]

I liked your video very much.

[StreakingTiger]

Also, the C-Clamp to keep the darn tire from walking off the rim as I try to put it on is an excellent idea. I usually have to change the tire by myself, so it's difficult to prevent that. And the furniture polish is good too. I used dish washing liquid, but the polish might be better. Thanks again. I have a tire waiting for me right now and this will help. Good video.

[StreakingTiger]

Thanks so much man. I've been using the HF tire changer on my motorcycle tires for ~ 2-3 years, and it's always a PITA. You just gave me a ton of ideas to make this easier. I'm gonna remove the top piece of the changer which ALWAYS gets in my way. I always wondered why that piece was there - and just in the way. Makes sense to remove it. Also, the plastic piece on the tire tool to prevent scarring is a great idea. I usually put duct tape around my rim to prevent it, but it's not perfect.

[Evadd73]

Thank you for the video.  Very helpful.

[killermalibu]

Awesome clip! I'm off to Harbor Freight to buy one of these!