15” car rim with old garden hose protection works for many rims.Usually free from a buddy.5/8” threaded rod thru bearings axle area .figure out the rest.l gave mine away,no pics. My back feels great.
Rabaconda Tire Changer
- Thread starter Mellow
- Start date
Okay, I wimped out. 
I'm not getting younger. I ordered the street bike tire changer for $589. I was surprised that the price seems to be what it was a year ago, despite the inflation that has run rampant. And from what I can tell, I'm paying no tax.
While the website says they'll be available by the end of April, it is due to be delivered in two days.
Chris
I'm not getting younger. I ordered the street bike tire changer for $589. I was surprised that the price seems to be what it was a year ago, despite the inflation that has run rampant. And from what I can tell, I'm paying no tax.While the website says they'll be available by the end of April, it is due to be delivered in two days.
Chris
OP
OP
I got some misc parts of my order in 3 shipments but the changer itself won't be shipped til after mid-April as well. I had just put new tires on the RT so unfortunately, I won't need tires soon but I'm excited about how this will work.Okay, I wimped out.
While the website says they'll be available by the end of April, it is due to be delivered in two days.
Chris
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I could fix that for you pretty fast!!
I’ve found that the heavy point on a rim is often NOT at the valve stem. I always mark the heavy point on a rim and align the dot, if present, with that mark.
Balance your bare wheel with no tire and put on weights permanently. You might find you don't need to balance the tire later, or if so, minimal weights.
STFlips
Site Supporter
If anyone is interested, that bead breaker from Princess Auto that Robert mentions is on sale this week, $20 off.Last night on my way home from Winnipeg I dropped into Princess Auto and bought a motorcycle tire changer, and from Amazon I acquired the duckbill. I will be doing a hack to facilitate the use of the duckbill with this changer. Fingers crossed this will do the job.
My buddy got one of these and we mounted a new rear tire on my st rim. It is definitely easier than a harbor freight t/c we used before. Order the accessory bead? Wedge? We didn't have it and it's hard to keep the bead down in the center of the wheel on the back side as you are putting the tire on. We did it with my extra hands but if you are by yourself that piece would be easier. Lube the tire well and read the instructions. Overall it is a nice piece of equipment. It is free standing and can be wobbly til you get the hang of it. I'm sure after we do a dozen tires we will get as smooth as that guy. By the way we put a Road 5 gt tire on. It's a 190 which is a little wide for my rim but other than the tire profile being a little steep on the side I think it will be ok. I'll try it for awhile and decide if it's too steep.
skipcurt
Skip
Andrew Shadow
Site Supporter
Joe:
You already had the No-Mar, so you didn't need a tire changer. You bought another tire changer, so you weren't getting out of changing your tires yourself either.
So what was the motivation for getting rid of the No-Mar and replacing it with the Rabaconda? Was it simply a matter of freeing up some space in your garage?
You already had the No-Mar, so you didn't need a tire changer. You bought another tire changer, so you weren't getting out of changing your tires yourself either.
So what was the motivation for getting rid of the No-Mar and replacing it with the Rabaconda? Was it simply a matter of freeing up some space in your garage?
OP
OP
Yes I did, I also had to have the wider duckhead due to the RT wheels which I don't think you need for the GS.
Yes, I like the fact I can pack it up in it's own bag and put away. I could do something similar w/No Mar but all the parts are more awkward so I typically just left it bolted to the floor.
I also like that it's more mobile and I can use it anywhere in my garage, the ratcheting mechanism appears like it will be a little easier to do some tires vs a No Mar bolted near a wall.
Funny, someone just posted this in advrider:
Andrew Shadow
Site Supporter
I have pretty tight space constraints, so a thorough review once you have received it and have it all figured out would be appreciated.
skipcurt
Skip
Which one? The 45 or the 39? or would either one work?
OP
OP
The 39 is what you'll need... they even show a pic on a GS wheel.
BMW Shaft Drive Type Adapter for Rabaconda Street
62/72mm adapter for BMW shaft drive type wheels: Suitable for K1600 72mm hub and 62mm hubs of GS/GSA, K1200, R1200, R1250, R nine T, F800GT, F800 ST/S and some other models. For information: The original spindle is 20mm and together with the stepped busher it can be used on hubs between 20-32mm...
us.rabaconda.com
OP
OP
Looks like I just got a tracking notice for the main unit, should be here next week.
I won't need a change til sometime in June before NatSTOC but I'll put it all together and show some pictures - no surprises there I'm sure - and will just check that I have all the parts and they all attach as designed.
I have watched a couple of the videos on this machine. It might have been good idea to have integrated a torque multiplier of some sort in the ratchet mechanism. It would reduce the amount of muscle needed.
OP
OP
We shall see how it goes... I've seen some vids where the person didn't even use any tire lube and was struggling.. a lot of times, well actually, all times it makes a lot of difference and I wouldn't do any tire changes without that... you risk tearing the lip of the tire.
Erdoc48
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One of the earlier lessons I learned is that it’s critical to keep the drop center of the tire deep in the rim, as otherwise as Joe said, you risk tearing the tire. The first tire change I did with the Olmaxmotors tire changer was a bear (mainly because of poor technique), but after that, they’re pretty easy as long as you have the right tools (I use the plastic Amazon spring loaded devices to maintain the drop center, and I have a yellow ‘tire thing’). Liberal amounts of lube as well (my kit came with the tire ‘soap’ and that actually works really well vs a liquid solution).
Lube the drop center, it will make things easier..........
OP
OP
Just delivered today... put together in just a few mins and back apart to fit in provided bag. I was gonna take pictures but it looks like all the other pictures lol... I won't have a tire change til probably in June and will provide some feedback then as I'll be putting some BS T32 tires on the bike.