Tire Tool Recommendation

Joined
Jan 17, 2009
Messages
136
Location
Louisville, KY
Bike
2007 ST1300
What do you recommend in the way of a tire changing tool? The HF tool is not very good, and tire irons are a pain the ***.
 
Joined
Apr 25, 2007
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4,954
Age
62
Location
New Jersey
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st1300 '04
STOC #
7163
Harbor freight current design is useless but some simple plastic blocks can be made to hold the rim with out scratching.
(DIY mojo blocks)

The bar is ok for demount (pc of milk jug on the business end to keep from scratching) and umph on the bead breaker
The nomar bar and a thinner drop bar (HF doesn't fit thru the ST wheel) is my current set up and works ok with the yellowthing so you don't chase the bead around on mounting.

.02
liquid mount solution from the autoparts place for bead break.
clean/dry the wheel.
nomar paste for mounting (watch the nm video for where to put it)
some chunks of wood to hold the bead in the wheel drop and the nomar bar mounts it pretty easy.

Out of the box the HF is a rim scratching joke but some cheap mods make it functional.
 
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Marcomalo
Joined
Jan 17, 2009
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136
Location
Louisville, KY
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2007 ST1300
There was one I saw on here some time back...some guy making it in his spare time, lot of good comments. I can't remember much more than that.
 
Joined
Apr 9, 2011
Messages
1,024
Location
Canton, GA
Bike
2006 ST1300
I like the "no-scuff" tire tool, but could not justify the price- I only change one or two tires a year. I decided to try tire irons and homemade lube ( 70% Murphy's oil soap, 15% ethylene glycol, and 15% water). I ended up cutting the tire off the wheel, after getting the first side off. I used 1/2" PEX tubing, slit on one side as a rim protector. I got a bit impatient at getting the second side up over the rim, and used a reciprocating saw to cut it off. Took all of 20 seconds. The tire coming off was a Bridgestone BT023GT- very stiff. I then installed the new tire, a Michelin PR4 GT, with zip ties. Did not even require a tool. Slipped on in a jiffy. The no-mar tool looks to be overly complicated, but some folks seem to like it.
 
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Dec 27, 2004
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Medina, Tennessee
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2021 Tracer 9GT
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375
Visit this site.

http://home.comcast.net/~prestondrake/mojoweb.htm

Buy a Mojolever and the plastic blocks designed for the current, horrible HF changer.

Buy the current, horrible HF changer and base. Upgrade with Preston Drake's plastics.

Get your self a "Yellow Thing" from No Mar:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AHd62a7-V0

Get yourself some tire irons (3) from Pit Posse:

http://pitposse.com/16sttito.html

Add some NAPA tire lube and you are off to a good, inexpensive start. HF sells an OK wheel balancer, other choices abound.
 
Joined
Sep 12, 2013
Messages
89
Location
NH
Bike
2006 ST
I bought a No-Mar about 7/8 years back, from the price increases since then they must be selling, and I recommend them. It's still work, but really a bunch easier if: a) both the old tire and the new are really warm. b) the new tire has been blocked open (width) for about a month or so for quick bead set. c) and you have a friend helping or you buy two "Helping Hands" and a "Yellow Thing" along with the changer. d) use plenty of lube, a gallon of tire mounting lube is cheap and lasts almost forever. I believe they will keep their value. If you go this route, don't belive for a minute that you can mount the changer ( really a "Holder" or " Tire Clamp " ) to a sheet of plywood to use, must be anchored to the floor with authority. Changed seven this year, don't really look forward to it, but compared to tire irons that I used for more than 30 years, well, at least I don't throw things anymore. :D
 
Joined
May 3, 2016
Messages
31
Location
Wheeling WV
Visit this site.

http://home.comcast.net/~prestondrake/mojoweb.htm

Buy a Mojolever and the plastic blocks designed for the current, horrible HF changer.

Buy the current, horrible HF changer and base. Upgrade with Preston Drake's plastics.

Get your self a "Yellow Thing" from No Mar:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AHd62a7-V0

Get yourself some tire irons (3) from Pit Posse:

http://pitposse.com/16sttito.html

Add some NAPA tire lube and you are off to a good, inexpensive start. HF sells an OK wheel balancer, other choices abound.
FYI, That Thing Tool Is $10.00 cheaper on e bay.
Think it's sold my No mar on e bay too.
 

paulcb

- - - Tetelestai - - - R.I.P. - 2022/05/26
Rest In Peace
Joined
Jun 4, 2013
Messages
4,652
Location
Celina, TX
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'97/'01 ST1100 ABSII
STOC #
8735
My tire tool of choice is a local shop and my debit card. ;)
I'm happy to pay for tire work with the money I save doing all the other maintenance. Now, if I had a changer like Irish, it would be a different story.
 
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