Harbor Freight M/C Tire Changer

Modifications

I found a three-month old HF tire changer on craigslist and bought it for $45. The previous owner was "really disgusted" with the unit so he sold it to me so he could purchase a $900 brand A unit.

I'd like to acknowledge that I've learned a great deal about the HF M/C tire changer by watching Fred Harmon's GL1800 Maintenance CDs--very helpful, particularly in learning about the short comings of this piece of equipment. I read that Fred purchased and recommends a $100 "dismount/mounting" pry bar to replace the HF unit. I'm too cheap for that. I had an extra set of rim protectors ($4.99/set) and some JB Weld (Gawd this stuff is good) and cut up the rim protectors and used JB Weld to affix the pieces to strategic places on HF dismount/mount bar. The last time I dismounted and remounted a GL1800 rear tire in 15 minutes and barely worked up an honest sweat.

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1. Rim Holder Mod

I had some fabric-backed rubber mat that I "hot glued" to the HF rim holder. Two of the three have stayed secure over the last three dismount/mountings. I've had to reglue one of them--big deal! A bicycle tube might work pretty well here.

2. Rim Protectors - $4.99

I have six rim protectors. I cut up one set and used the pieces as shown in the following.

3. HF Dismount-end with rim protector added

I used JB Weld to secure the cut up rim protector to the dismount end. I would HIGHLY recommend that you cut the rim protector about 1" longer than I did so it extend up the bar underneath the dismount lip.

4. Dismounting the bottom bead

I have a 24" pry bar (I've seen these in hardware store for about $15)

I have a rim protector at the top, insert the long prybar at the bottom (as shown) and pry up. See next-->

5. Prying up the bottom bead

You can now see the rim protector that the prybar is working against.

6. Inserting the HF tire pry

Notice that I'm creating a gap large enough to insert the "modified" HF tire prybar. Once the HF prybar is inserted the 24" lifting prybar is removed. Now just pull it around the HF center bar.

7. Rim protector fastened to HF mounting-end

I cut and trimmed and JB Welded a piece of rim protector to the HF mount and it works GREAT

A couple of things you will want to consider when using the HF M/C tire changing tools:

  1. REALLY firmly secure the HF changer to a unmovable base. I've used flush mount, drop-in concrete anchors on all four mounting holes. Having the HF tire changer rigidly mounted was a real improvement and this makes any tire job easier.
  2. Letting the tires sit in the sun for 20-30 minutes before dismounting/mounting makes a HUGH difference in the ply ability of the tire rubber

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