Rabaconda Street Tire Changer

[Grumpy Goat]

Yes it is. You need that, or, I think they have a universal single-sided-swingarm-wheel adapter that might work. 
You could call and ask them to add it to your existing order so you don't have to pay another shipping charge. They are very accommodating; it is worth a shot.
UPDATE: Having just had a quick look at the universal adapter, I don't think it will work for the BMW.
UPDATE2: Maybe it would; it specifies up to 68 mm, so might be fine for the RS (62 mm) but not for a K16 (72 mm). Ask them!

Thanks Michael. I called the number but got a voicemail so I emailed them asking whether the Universal Adapter could be included in the original order. Let see what they say. Worth a shot to save the US$12 shipping.

[mspratz]

Yes it is. You need that, or, I think they have a universal single-sided-swingarm-wheel adapter that might work. 
You could call and ask them to add it to your existing order so you don't have to pay another shipping charge. They are very accommodating; it is worth a shot.
UPDATE: Having just had a quick look at the universal adapter, I don't think it will work for the BMW.
UPDATE2: Maybe it would; it specifies up to 68 mm, so might be fine for the RS (62 mm) but not for a K16 (72 mm). Ask them!

Thanks Michael. I called the number but got a voicemail so I emailed them asking whether the Universal Adapter could be included in the original order. Let see what they say. Worth a shot to save the US$12 shipping.

UPDATE3: Having had another look at the RS's rear wheel, I don't think the universal adapter will work, not because the diameter is wrong, but because the center of the RS rear wheel is less than 1" from side to side, and the design of the universal adaptor is such that it needs a much wider wheel center for the cones to contact both sides. Sorry to mess you around.

[Grumpy Goat]

UPDATE3: Having had another look at the RS's rear wheel, I don't think the universal adapter will work, not because the diameter is wrong, but because the center of the RS rear wheel is less than 1" from side to side, and the design of the universal adaptor is such that it needs a much wider wheel center for the cones to contact both sides. Sorry to mess you around.

Are you kidding ... you are not messing me around at all. AAMOF you are doing all the leg work for me and confirming which one to buy. I had a feeling that the universal adapter would not work because of that very same reason.

The information page for the Universal hub is poor in that it does not state what the thickness of the hub needs to be in order for the inside faces of the two cones of the adapter to not touch and stull be tight in the hole of the hub.

The BMW adapter is in the shopping cart as I await some confirmation from them that it can be included in the original order to save shipping. Not holding my breath.

[MrVvrroomm]

https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/rabac...r.1630675/

I also like his idea of the masking tape with the arrow - both as a reminder when mounting and also to help get the direction right. 

I always mark rotation on my wheels when I carry them into dealer to mount my new tires.  Most of the time with masking tape with an arrow scribed in Sharpie.  Then when I pick them up, I verify rotation.

Every once in while one of the techs will take exception.  I don't care.

I've had dealer mount a tire in the wrong direction.  I didn't notice it until the tire was almost at the end of its life.  It was on '01 Goldwing, not much tire showing with all the cladding and side cases.

[Grumpy Goat]

I always mark rotation on my wheels when I carry them into dealer to mount my new tires.  Most of the time with masking tape with an arrow scribed in Sharpie.  Then when I pick them up, I verify rotation.

Every once in while one of the techs will take exception.  I don't care.

I don't blame you. I think that they assign the guy with the least experience to tasks such as these so better to be safe than get drama afterwards. I have also the experience of having to re-balance the wheel after bringing it home. All the more reason to do these jobs yourself if possible.

[Lee]

The rotation arrow on the wheels is easy to miss so the guy I go to likes the rotation marked with tape or a sharpie.
Before leaving with new tires he'll usually tell me to double check the rotation is correct.

   

   

[Grumpy Goat]

The BMW adapter is in the shopping cart as I await some confirmation from them that it can be included in the original order to save shipping. Not holding my breath.

Yesterday (Sunday) Rabaconda contacted me back and setup an additional invoice for the BMW Adapter with no shipping for it. I immediately paid this via Paypal and within a couple of minutes she confirmed that the payment was received and that the adapter would be shipped today. Just got a notification from UPS that it was shipped and will be here Wednesday. I will be amazed if I have it in my hand on Wednesday as promised as this is going super fast and smooth ...

Maybe I should contact her back about speeding up the Changer itself ...

[Grumpy Goat]

Adapter came today so I am amazed. Beautiful piece too ... spins nicely on the threads.

[mspratz]

Adapter came today so I am amazed. Beautiful piece too ... spins nicely on the threads.

Everything they make is made well. Those Estonians apparently do things right!

[Grumpy Goat]

Well, UPS made the final delivery today of the Street Tire Changer itself - the main part of the order - which was backordered and which Rabaconda said wouldn't be available till end of April. I guess it came early. I will be doing an unboxing video later but don't have anything to change presently. Also just ordered a pit mat off Amazon for $30.

Will start getting the Cycle Hill Changer ready for sale soon.

[Grumpy Goat]

Circling back on this thread.

Just over 2 years after getting the Rabaconda kit plus extras (as well as a wide duck-head for cross-spoke wheels) I finally put it to the test. With both bikes needing tires, I thought I would learn on the RS, which is why there are zero photos and video. The video is going to come when I change the tires on the Tiger, and that will include the assembly of the wide duck head. 

As is typical with my videos it will also all of my tips, but none of the exertion and huffing / huffing / cussing that happened today! 

Not that there was much cussing - hardly any, AAMOF. I got the front tire changed easily, but the rear tire was a PITA. Our RS rims are a PITA (no real valley) and you do need the drop centre tools (I used two of my three), but I finally figured it out. The wheels are now balanced with the new Roadsmart IVs on the bike. I put the dot next to the valve stem and still needed several weights opposite (similar to what was there before) to achieve the static balance.

I expect the Tiger's tires will be easier than the RS's. Stay tuned.

Fully satisfied with the Rabaconda! I sold the Cycle Hill Tire Changer last year on Facebook Marketplace. That turned out to be a colossal waste of money for me. 

[darrell]

The wheels are now balanced with the new Roadsmart IVs on the bike. I put the dot next to the valve stem and still needed several weights opposite (similar to what was there before) to achieve the static balance.

Balance the riim without the tire as likely it is the rim not the tire that required weights.  Leave weights on the rim.  Mount your tire and find the heavy spot then break the bead and move the heavy point of the tire (if you can find one) to the light part of the rim.  You might find you can leave the rim only weights on permanently and only have to add a weight or two to another spot to get your perfect balance.

[Grumpy Goat]

Balance the riim without the tire as likely it is the rim not the tire that required weights.  Leave weights on the rim.  Mount your tire and find the heavy spot then break the bead and move the heavy point of the tire (if you can find one) to the light part of the rim.  You might find you can leave the rim only weights on permanently and only have to add a weight or two to another spot to get your perfect balance.

Excellent points Darrell - thanks. I forgot about that. I am no expert in changing tires aside from bicycle tires, which require no balancing. I will definitely do this for the Tiger's rims.