(05-26-2020, 08:18 AM)Liteitup Wrote: I thought you were joking.
https://www.nomartirechanger.com/Wood_Bl...blocks.htm

I've used screwdriver handles in a pinch.

$70 for two tire irons?

I thought the wood blocks for sale was interesting too, but if you think about it, it makes it more convenient for someone sitting at a keyboard and not having to go to Home Depot, getting a length of stick and then cutting it up.

As for the tire irons - the name, powder coated finish, and robustness (thickness) are reasons, but the best reason is in the tough plastic replaceable tip. It has the groove in it and is designed to protect the rim. I just wished it came in a three-pack, but you should be able to get away with two and another lever / rim protector from a different set.

Getting ready for a road trip that starts 8/29 and heads west. My Bridgestone T31 tires have a good 1000 miles left in them, but the trip is going to be 4000. So new roasdsmart 3 were installed today. GG, I now understand why you had so much trouble using your new Cycle Hill machine. As you know, I use the same rig and have always had good results with it. So today, with the Dunlops I have to say this rear tire was the second hardest to get on the rim that I've done. Hardest one was a Hedenau(sp?) for a BMW GS bike a friend had. That thing was a monster. For this install today, I'm at my new condo. At the old place I had the cycle hill bolted to the floor. Solid as a rock. Here, I did as per GG with a 2x10 under the car tire and the cycle hill bolted to that. Very unstable, and I'm not gonna use that method again.

So the tire was **very** hard to get on the rim. Took me a couple hours to make that change. The front was a matter of 15 minutes. All balanced up and ready for a test ride. Along with new oil in the engine I'm ready to head to Colorado. Please put out the fires before I get there.

(08-22-2020, 12:47 PM)BobAintStoppin Wrote: Getting ready for a road trip that starts 8/29 and heads west. My Bridgestone T31 tires have a good 1000 miles left in them, but the trip is going to be 4000. So new roasdsmart 3 were installed today. GG, I now understand why you had so much trouble using your new Cycle Hill machine. As you know, I use the same rig and have always had good results with it. So today, with the Dunlops I have to say this rear tire was the second hardest to get on the rim that I've done. Hardest one was a Hedenau(sp?) for a BMW GS bike a friend had. That thing was a monster. For this install today, I'm at my new condo. At the old place I had the cycle hill bolted to the floor. Solid as a rock. Here, I did as per GG with a 2x10 under the car tire and the cycle hill bolted to that. Very unstable, and I'm not gonna use that method again.

So the tire was **very** hard to get on the rim. Took me a couple hours to make that change. The front was a matter of 15 minutes. All balanced up and ready for a test ride. Along with new oil in the engine I'm ready to head to Colorado. Please put out the fires before I get there.

I have a No Mar anchored in concrete with four lag bolts. Even with that set up I've had a very difficult time trying to change tires with stiff sidewalls.

My experience has been similar to yours Bob as the front tire is difficult to change but not impossible. The rear tire is a different story and sometimes I can change it if there is someone to help me but usually not.

Dunlop Roadsmarts have stiff sidewalls as do tires that are geared for heavier sport touring and touring bikes

I am having Michelin Road 5 GTs mounted on my 1250 RT this week.

(08-22-2020, 12:47 PM)BobAintStoppin Wrote: GG, I now understand why you had so much trouble using your new Cycle Hill machine. As you know, I use the same rig and have always had good results with it.
...
For this install today, I'm at my new condo. At the old place I had the cycle hill bolted to the floor. Solid as a rock. Here, I did as per GG with a 2x10 under the car tire and the cycle hill bolted to that. Very unstable, and I'm not gonna use that method again.

While being bolted to the floor is the best mode, in my case due to lack of space I have to use the plank under the 1/2 ton truck front tire. I guarantee it does not shift.

Back when I was in better shape I could have fought this thing, but I suspect that my age is catching up with me (on top of the out of shape bit, and the hypertension does not help).

Glad you got it done though.

GG. I would bolt the changer down for the work and then remove it to the corner of the garage until next time. Worked great. I'm a little nervous about drilling at this new condo. The old place, while the development was a condo, I owned the house. Here, I'm thinking I probably don't really own the building. But I will likely go ahead and drill the floor for the next time.

(08-22-2020, 06:06 PM)BobAintStoppin Wrote: GG. I would bolt the changer down for the work and then remove it to the corner of the garage until next time. Worked great.

That was my fall-back position if the plank shifted. So far it has not. In the case of the rear wheel, it was the wheel in the clamps that rotated making the job more frustrating.

The Road 5's spoon on easier than the Dunlop's. Michelin feels closer to a sport bike tire construction, as opposed to the Roadsmart 3, which has a more traditional sport/touring stiff sidewall. Not to provoke another tire thread, but the Michelin's are now my favorite tire for my RS.