Recommend tyre changing tools

[mangocrazy]

I can understand trackday fiends and off roaders doing their own tyre changes,but for everyday road use is it not handier to just get them done at the place you buy tyres?

It's always easier if someone else does it, but you pay for the privilege. And I can fit my own tyres when the shops are shut.

[dern]

I can understand trackday fiends and off roaders doing their own tyre changes,but for everyday road use is it not handier to just get them done at the place you buy tyres?

I buy my tyres online and get them delivered.

It would be easier to get someone else to fit them in the same way as it would be easier to get someone else to maintain the bike but I'd rather do it myself.

[Skub]

I can understand trackday fiends and off roaders doing their own tyre changes,but for everyday road use is it not handier to just get them done at the place you buy tyres?

I buy my tyres online and get them delivered.

It would be easier to get someone else to fit them in the same way as it would be easier to get someone else to maintain the bike but I'd rather do it myself.

Fair dos man. It's a job I absolutely loathe!

[dern]

Given we've got six bikes I've been wondering about getting some tyre changing tools too and was looking at this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08ZYWYV4C/ ... _lig_dp_it

Similar principle to the Rabaconda but a lot cheaper (and looks it) which probably means it's a bit more difficult to use, if only because you still have to get down to the floor and it will be more awkward to use.

It looks like the only bit you're missing is the ratchet so you'd need to reposition the wheel and therefore have to remove and replace the wheel locking mechanism each time you do. It also looks like you could attach it to a workbench with a bit of effort and that might make it easier on the back/knees. The more expensive one is £350 plus import taxes so that's quite a saving.

[Beancounter]

Given we've got six bikes I've been wondering about getting some tyre changing tools too and was looking at this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08ZYWYV4C/ ... _lig_dp_it

Similar principle to the Rabaconda but a lot cheaper (and looks it) which probably means it's a bit more difficult to use, if only because you still have to get down to the floor and it will be more awkward to use.

It looks like the only bit you're missing is the ratchet so you'd need to reposition the wheel and therefore have to remove and replace the wheel locking mechanism each time you do. It also looks like you could attach it to a workbench with a bit of effort and that might make it easier on the back/knees. The more expensive one is £350 plus import taxes so that's quite a saving.

I'd forgotten about import taxes, probably another 20% on purchase price. There is a Youtube video for the Constands Tyre Changer which makes it look easy-ish - still some knee work required to keep the tyre rim in the centre-well of the wheel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZaE_YWpJIY&t=29s

[dern]

I'd forgotten about import taxes, probably another 20% on purchase price. There is a Youtube video for the Constands Tyre Changer which makes it look easy-ish - still some knee work required to keep the tyre rim in the centre-well of the wheel:

That looks really good. I didn't realise that you could put that bar either end of the bit that rotates and that means you don't have to reposition the wheel. I'm pretty tempted by that.

I saw these being used with the more expensive system and they're used to hold the tyre off the bead so you don't need to use your knee...



They seem to cost about 10-15 each.

[dern]

The tyre changer is even cheaper from Motea... https://www.motea.uk/motorcycle-tyre-ch ... 6IQAvD_BwE

[MyLittleStudPony]

I just flick them on and off with a couple of auld spoons while sucking on an Old Holbourne roll up which has gone out.

[Beancounter]

The tyre changer is even cheaper from Motea... https://www.motea.uk/motorcycle-tyre-ch ... 6IQAvD_BwE

That's very tempting. I've got two pairs of tyres to change in the coming weeks which would cost me £60 to do at Watlings.

[dern]

The tyre changer is even cheaper from Motea... https://www.motea.uk/motorcycle-tyre-ch ... 6IQAvD_BwE

That's very tempting. I've got two pairs of tyres to change in the coming weeks which would cost me £60 to do at Watlings.

I hope that it doesn't feel like I've manipulated you in to buying one so I don't have to waste my money if it's shit... but if you do get one would you mind reporting back please?

[Beancounter]

The tyre changer is even cheaper from Motea... https://www.motea.uk/motorcycle-tyre-ch ... 6IQAvD_BwE

That's very tempting. I've got two pairs of tyres to change in the coming weeks which would cost me £60 to do at Watlings.

I hope that it doesn't feel like I've manipulated you in to buying one so I don't have to waste my money if it's shit... but if you do get one would you mind reporting back please?

Haha, not at all, I've been mulling over this purchase for the best part of a year!

Bought it on the Motea website last night, just need to get all the other gubbins too - tyre soap, levers and rim protectors.

Will report back.

[dern]

I've got these levers...

They work well and tend to break fewer fingers when they slip.

The tyre guards that come with them are shit though and you should throw them away.

[Beancounter]

So this arrived today:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ConStands-chan ... 78&sr=8-12

Reassuringly heavy at 14kg. Not much in the way of packaging which I like, everything is wrapped in bubble wrap, no polystyrene.

IMG_20230220_140444_947 (Medium).jpg (228.32 KiB) Viewed 1768 times

Duck head doesn't feel the most robust...

IMG_20230220_140612_349 (Medium).jpg (218.85 KiB) Viewed 1768 times

IMG_20230220_140619_667 (Medium).jpg (212.35 KiB) Viewed 1768 times

Will have a shot at putting it together tonight. Hopefully I'll get the chance to use it properly at the weekend.

Need to buy a bag for it.

[wull]

What were the total costs including any tax

[Beancounter]

What were the total costs including any tax

I bought from Motea UK and paid £174 all in for the tyre changer and wheel balancer. Ordered last Monday evening, received it today.

[wull]

What were the total costs including any tax

I bought from Motea UK and paid £174 all in for the tyre changer and wheel balancer. Ordered last Monday evening, received it today.

That’s decent

[Tricky]

So this arrived today:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ConStands-chan ... 78&sr=8-12

Reassuringly heavy at 14kg. Not much in the way of packaging which I like, everything is wrapped in bubble wrap, no polystyrene.

.......................

Will have a shot at putting it together tonight. Hopefully I'll get the chance to use it properly at the weekend.

Need to buy a bag for it.

Will be interested to see how you get on with it, as from the vid, that does look pretty good, and as you/dern say, good bit cheaper than the Rabaconda.
I've just bought one of the constands skylift-type stands from Motea with adaptors for the Tuono and ZX6- not sure how I missed seeing their tyre changer!

[Bowman]

That's pretty much identical to the olmax one. I use it on the r1 no problem.
The only issue I've had is that the spindle can be too big to fit certain bikes. It was too big for the street triple. I think I used a breaker bar instead, it sort of worked.

[Beancounter]

Gave the Constands tyre changer a workout yesterday, or rather I got the workout. Has to have been one of the most physically demanding jobs I've done.

Tyre changer took about 40 minutes to unwrap, check all the pieces (all there) and put together - one page of instructions with six images, was simple enough. Once built, the footprint it takes up about 3ft², and needs a little bit more for the 'sweep' of the bead breaker/duck head.

My job yesterday was swapping the tyres from my MT-09 on to my R12RT. The MT-09 is off the road until April and the tyres on the RT are horrible to ride on now, hence the swap.

The first problem I encountered with the stand is that it doesn't have the right adapter to securely hold the RT rear wheel. In fairness to Motea, I'd ordered the setup for my 1150GS. Despite this I cracked on but had to use by knees/body weight to hold the wheel in place when breaking the bead. You have to be careful not to catch the rim with the bead breaker but it does work just fine. I was trying to remove a Pirelli Angel GT which has a slightly stiffer sidewall for heavier bikes so I needed to improvise an extension to the breaker handle. I then spent the next hour swearing and head scratching whilst 'chasing' the bead around the rim (still on the first side) - it would pop off easy enough at the breaker part, but the opposite part of the tyre would re-seat itself. Resolved this by using my knees to keep the bead in the centre of the wheel. Getting the bead over the rim was a major PITA, mainly because I'd been a nugget and hadn't warmed the tyre up. Decided to have a cup of tea and point a fan heater at the tyre which made this easier to the point I didn't need the duckhead to get the first bead over the rim. The second bead was a bit colder so a bit more stubborn but did come off with a little persuasion. Getting the MT-09 rear tyre (Metzeler Roadtec 01SE) off was a doddle by comparison. Still took some effort because it wasn't warm but it fitted on the tyre changer perfectly.

Fitting both tyres was straightforward enough, Mainly, I think, because I'd left them both in front of the fan heaters. Don't get me wrong, still needed effort but no swearing or throwing tools. Using the duckhead made getting the final part of the bead over a lot easier too though you do have to steady the tyre changer with your feet as the force you apply can easily move it. Using a nearby wall helped in this regard too.

All told, it was 5.5 hours to change two rear tyres but that includes setting up the tyre changer, and freeing up some work space in my garage - there are five motorbikes, a fridge, a tumble dryer, compressor, jerry cans and wet/dry hoover all competing for space. We don't have a driveway so freeing up space is quite tricky. First world problem but it does make jobs like this more time consuming. I was also taking my time given it was my first attempt so I expect it to be quicker in future.

5.5 hours is a chunk of anyone's day but had I chosen to get my local tyre place to do the job it would have taken me the best part of 90 minutes to remove/ref-fit wheels and get them to the tyre place and whilst I only saved myself £30 doing it myself, the tyre changer will have paid for itself quite quickly given the number of bikes in the garage.

My key takeaways:

• 1. The tyre changer is well made and really quite sturdy, however could benefit from being bolted down or lifted at the rear so that your force is directed towards the floor;
  2. Buy the correct kit from Motea. Most 17" chain drives are going to similar but if you've got a shaft or belt drive it could well mean using an adapter;
  3. The warmer the tyre, the better. I'm probably going to buy some tyre warmers now;
  4. You need space to use this - my garage is 8ft wide and I reckon you need about 6ft to comfortably get the sweep on the tyre changer. I didn't have 6ft so you can manage, you just need to move around accordingly;
  5. More tyre soap, the better;
  6. Whilst I initially queried how robust the duckhead is, it performed flawlessly and should do for a load of tyre changes.

Stumbled across this video on Youtube where the poster only uses Motion Pro tyre levers to brake the bead and fit the new tyre. I'm sure it's not as easy as it looks but might be an option instead of the Constands tyre changer.

[dern]

Nice write up, thanks. I'll get one before doing the next set of tyres.