Tire mounting machine arrived...

[Uncle Phil]

So what's your projected payback timeframe ?? CAt'
ps: I would like to hear that it is really short,,, so that I can justify getting my own.

Saved doctor bills from wrecking your back.
Saved shrink bills from anger management courses.
The list goes on ... .
If you figure what it costs to pay someone to do it - in both time and money - and you use a lot of tires, it's fairly quick.
Plus you'll have all sorts of 'new' riding friends who need a tire changed ...

 

[caldercay]

Saved doctor bills from wrecking your back.

Research : )

I can dismount a tire in about a minute.

New tire on ... first bead, about two seconds ... second bead, about 30 seconds ... $$ saved.

No back issues : )

But yea, the machine is cool, as anything that automates repetitive tasks : )

 

[Larry Fine]

I don't change tires often enough to even consider getting one.

 

[ST1100Y]

So what's your projected payback timeframe ??

Well... the independence alone is priceless
4 riders (my friend, his wife, my GF, myself...)
some motorcycles (2x ST1100, 1x ST1300, 2x NT700VA, 1x NC700X, 2x CB500/4, 1x Z750...), plus whoever might show up...
my GF's NT700 just received a new front tire...
my '00 ST1100 is due for a set now (tires on stock)
my friend's NT700 is due for a set (also in stock)
his wife's NC will be due in summer
our project bikes...

 

[Uncle Phil]

Research : )
I can dismount a tire in about a minute.
New tire on ... first bead, about two seconds ... second bead, about 30 seconds ... $$ saved.
No back issues : )
But yea, the machine is cool, as anything that automates repetitive tasks : )

Ever mounted at BT020 Bias rear for the BMW KLT1200 (same size as the rear ST1100)?
If you can do that one in a minute, I'll buy you supper the first time we meet and be glad to watch your technique.
Trust me, it's a little different kettle of fish - on and off.
But it's the only one so far I can get 10,000+ miles out of on the rear which works for my trips out west and Alaska.

 

[Sadlsor]

@Uncle Phil -- are you saying you ride the LT1200 IN Alaska, or TO Alaska?
I've not been, but have read Alaska ride reports for years (one of my dream rides yet to take) and that would be quite the feat, particularly on some of the slick, calcium-chloride, snot-surfaced, traction-less roads up there.
And I cannot even imagine the never-ending cleanup afterwards.
Do tell...

 

[Kevcules]

I don't change tires often enough to even consider getting one.

Yeah, I'm in the same boat, otherwise I would love to have one. You need a large group of local riders who you could help with their tires to justify one, or have deep pockets and change a tire once every 2 years

I have manual car/truck/atv tire changer which I don't use often, but for $50, it was an easy purchase. Still fairly difficult to use though, you need lots of omphhh to get it to work!

I recently saw a video on YouTube that talks about a mod to these manual style tire changers. It makes these things work really easy and quickly. A few metal tube and circular stock purchases, a "duck bill" mount and a little welding and you're good. Once I get through a back surgery soon, I'll attempt this mod in the spring. Can't wait to get one made.....

I wonder if the mod for the manual tire changer would accommodate a motorcycle tire? It all depends on the axle diameter I guess. The duck bill mount would make me want to attempt a motorcycle tire change. To be continued....

Bottom line, I would rather have the ops tire changer and would trade him even for it!

 

[Uncle Phil]

@Uncle Phil -- are you saying you ride the LT1200 IN Alaska, or TO Alaska?
I've not been, but have read Alaska ride reports for years (one of my dream rides yet to take) and that would be quite the feat, particularly on some of the slick, calcium-chloride, snot-surfaced, traction-less roads up there.
And I cannot even imagine the never-ending cleanup afterwards.
Do tell...

No, I use the LT tire on the back of my ST1100s and ride them to Alaska.
You don't get into the calcium-chloride stuff unless you do the haul road to Prudhoe Bay - which has been done on ST1100s.
There are plenty of lovely places to see in Alaska without that 'expense' of clean-up.

Uncle Phil - Alaska 2004
Uncle Phil - Alaska 2012
Uncle Phil - Canada 2013

 

[Sadlsor]

Nice.
Personally, having never been but always wanted to, I *would* have to get to Prudhoe. If for no other reason, than to follow the treads of some of the Iron Butt Rally moto-superheroes.
Thought I would do that in 1980, once I finished my obligation to the USN, but looking at it now, I'm SO glad I didn't! I knew NOTHING of the trip at that time, and I owned a '75 Norton Commando Interstate. I'm a pi$$-poor mechanic now, but considerably less so at that time, and it seemed I could never keep that bitch running for more than 2 weeks.
Back then, it would not have been an "adventure", but almost certainly a full-blown, hopeless, frustrating, epic and expensive disaster.
When I take the Prudhoe trek, it will be on some dual-sport, most likely another KTM.

 

[J. Fitzgerald]

Ever mounted at BT020 Bias rear for the BMW KLT1200 (same size as the rear ST1100)?
If you can do that one in a minute, I'll buy you supper the first time we meet and be glad to watch your technique.
Trust me, it's a little different kettle of fish - on and off.
But it's the only one so far I can get 10,000+ miles out of on the rear which works for my trips out west and Alaska.

So true, UP. The GL1800 is about the same. I'm convinced that's the reason they made those bikes with single-side swingarms, as they knew DIYers would be out of energy and patience by the time the changing job was complete. I've changed many tires on my NoMar, but none compare to the GLs and the LTs.

jf

 

[Uncle Phil]

Let me make something clear that I may not have made in prior posts -
I have never changed the rear on a BMW LT but I used the exact same tire on the rear of my ST1100s as it is the correct size.
It's sidewalls are somewhere rated between concrete and iron ...

 

[caldercay]

Ever mounted at BT020 Bias rear for the BMW KLT1200 (same size as the rear ST1100)?
If you can do that one in a minute, I'll buy you supper the first time we meet and be glad to watch your technique.
Trust me, it's a little different kettle of fish - on and off.

A rim is a rim is a rim.

The most recent tire I bought and mounted (Jun 2020) for the 2008 ST is a 020 ... my timings hold : ) It's all about tools and technique

 

[Uncle Phil]

A rim is a rim is a rim.
The most recent tire I bought and mounted (Jun 2020) for the 2008 ST is a 020 ... my timings hold : ) It's all about tools and technique...

and sidewall stiffness.
Which BT020 on the rear - the specific BMW bias one or the radial one - IIRC, there are two versions with different side wall construction.
And the one I use on the rear is not the correct size for a ST1300.
Radials on the front and rear even I can do without drama using my poor techniques.
My offer still stands if we are talking about the same tire -

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[beemerphile]

I make no pretense of justifying my tire machine. But I enjoy having it. It is a luxury that I chose to afford myself. Sufficient justification for me.

 

[ST1100Y]

and sidewall stiffness.

Yep, the G547/548 are in the tough segment there...

 

[Fenianbastard]

Well... the independence alone is priceless
4 riders (my friend, his wife, my GF, myself...)
some motorcycles (2x ST1100, 1x ST1300, 2x NT700VA, 1x NC700X, 2x CB500/4, 1x Z750...), plus whoever might show up...
my GF's NT700 just received a new front tire...
my '00 ST1100 is due for a set now (tires on stock)
my friend's NT700 is due for a set (also in stock)
his wife's NC will be due in summer
our project bikes...

Where do you live?

 

[ST1100Y]

Where do you live?

Vienna, AuSTria, Europe (see profile...)

 

[ST1100Y]

Alright, upgraded the kit with the "bike adapters" today...






the small grapples improve handling of small/narrow wheels...


First task: replacing tires on GF's dad's Burgman 400...



like what he did with the masking tape, didn't like the car wheel weights though...




nifty tool!








balanced, ready to go...