Tyre Changing Machines:

[MrMessy]

I have been looking at getting a manual tyre changing machine. Sealey have two that are reasonably priced. As anybody had any experience of these? Or any other ones? Do you need to get the special bar for ali wheels or can you use the normal one with protector's? Any advice appreciated.

[theenglishman]

For motorbikes? I break the bead with an Abba tyre thingy. Many use G-Clamps. Just get some protectors - I've done ali wheels for years and left no marks.

If you think you need tyre levers longer than 6" you're doing it wrong. Get the bead into the well and be patient.

The problems I have are with getting the new tyre on. Winter's worst as the tyres are cold and less pliable. Even if they're warmed up overnight. Although now I live alone I can do this in the living room so it'll be warm.

Get tyre soap. Use loads of it. Then put some more on. Then a bit extra for luck.

I beg wheel weights from kwik fit and balance them myself. I find it cathartic.

I've never replaced valves - I think that's a money making exercise for tyre shops.

[BanannaMan]

I've only used an air powered one made for car tyres, but used the irons for years with no problems. Used to cut up pieces from a milk jug and use to protect the rim.
I do recomend replacing the valve stem.
They do dry rot and go bad and the only way to replace them is by taking the tyre off.
As cheap as they are and easy to put in seems foolish not to replace it while the tyre is already off.

[Bibio]

ok this has puzzled me for ages as i keep getting the same answer all over the place.

wtf is the difference between a proper car and a bike tyre changing machine that you get in a garage. someone i know used to work round the corner from me in a garage changing tyres and use to change my bike tyres for me on the only machine they had in the workshop and it was designed for car tyres. i have watched him do it and there is no difference that i can see.

[Trev B]

On my old puddle jumpers I used to deflate the said tyre after removing from bike,put a cloth over tyre near rim and got a garden spade upto the rim and jump on it,easy to take off,then clean the wheel and rims,PLENTY of fairy liquid,bottom of new tyre up into the well and start pushing and pulling,some wheels (suzuki sp 370) used to have a security shoulder that held the tyre to the rim aswell,never had a problem,these were always tubed tyres,but I have changed tubeless the same way,but best to take to the garage for the airline to seal and inflate,only paid for the balance!!!

[Wideboy]

I made my own, dead easy and cost nothing.

Originally Posted by Bibio

ok this has puzzled me for ages as i keep getting the same answer all over the place.

wtf is the difference between a proper car and a bike tyre changing machine that you get in a garage. someone i know used to work round the corner from me in a garage changing tyres and use to change my bike tyres for me on the only machine they had in the workshop and it was designed for car tyres. i have watched him do it and there is no difference that i can see.

It's the spoon attachments on the arm IIRC. My friend used to change my bike tyres on his car tyre machines all the time, I remember him going to quick once and the tyre got caught up in the arm.

[NTECUK]

Originally Posted by Bibio

wtf is the difference between a proper car and a bike tyre changing machine that you get in a garage.

I use our car machine to fit my tyres.
as long as the jaws can go wide enough then I cant see any issues.
A 21 inch wheel be too big though

Probably the hardest part of changing tyres is breaking the bead of the old ones. I know it sounds a bit pikey but I just drive over them with the car/van. Obviously don't drive over the wheel whilst doing this.

[Wideboy]

Originally Posted by Phoenix22

Probably the hardest part of changing tyres is breaking the bead of the old ones. I know it sounds a bit pikey but I just drive over them with the car/van. Obviously don't drive over the wheel whilst doing this.

that's what I do now, put two pieces of 2x1 down the life the wheel off the ground and drive the van over the tyre job done.