Portable Tire Changer

After several years of doing my own tires here is what I use. This setup is designed to be mobile as half my tire changes occur away from home (track side) and will cost about $250 for the whole set up. From the time I roll my Mille up to riding away I can do both tire changes in under 45min.

Take it to the track!

From the above pic left to right, then back to front…

  1. Green canvas tool bag $5 Army/Navy surplus store
  2. Metzler Tire Balancer #119: $150 I purchased from hondadirectlineusa.com. Terrible phone help, but the best price at the time. Handy Industries has a good balancer too but Metz is smaller and the included tire rod adaptors work with single side setups like VFR’s and BMW’s. Handy’s adaptors are additional. Same with the Marc Parnes version for $100 (+$25 for adaptors)
  3. 15″ Auto tire rim FREE See your local tire store. They always have rims stacked up by their dumpster. Stop at Home Depot to get hardware. You’ll need clear flex tubing which you split and attach to Auto rim. Protects M/C rim. Some rear tires like R1’s & 929’s can be a bit more difficult to remove. Made easier by attaching the M/C rim to the tire rim via hardware. You can see the threaded rod coming from the center of the rim. The hardware next to the Air gauge is what screws to that portion. The large washer holds the M/C rim. See the plumbing dept.
  4. RU-Glyde 1 gal: $11 See your local Napa Auto Parts store. Best tire lube I’ve ever used. Get a spray bottle at Home Depot too.
  5. Wheel Weights: $20 JC Whitney #81UK4037P This box has lasted me years
  6. Tire tools: $15 each Motionpro.com You’ll want at least two 16″ and one short (much less for short). They also sell the Dunlop version for about $20 each. If you want Ti version see www.aerostich.com
  7. Tire Valve Tool: $4 Napa Auto parts
  8. Rim protectors: $5 for three at Kowa Tools Get two sets. Newbie installers tend to believe great force is needed to install tires and break the rim protectors with the tire irons.
  9. Rim hardware as previously mentioned
  10. Intercomp Tire Gauge: $70 Fill/Bleed and Read version
  11. Air supply for filling. This is my Nitrogen set up. See your local Welding Supply store. They can get you setup if you want to go this route.
  12. Tire Bead Breaker: $60 found at Aerostich. By far the best Bead Breaker I’ve ever used. Works every time.

The math you ask? Its close, and you probably don’t need to go with the top of the line Tire Gauge, but hey…

5 Comments

I just stumbled upon your page while looking for a more premium tire bar for my Harbor Frieght MC tire changer … I see you are a pro tire changer and I just wonder even for portable use, why you don’t use a tire changer like the Harbor Freight one (or US made version) I know it needs a small modification to do thick cast rims but still wouldnt it be faster and easier than hand irons? I’m thinking of welding up a base for the HF MC changer that will fit into my trucks class three trailer hitch …. then it’s even more compact! Heck carrying around the big auto wheel I think is about as bulky as the HF MC tire changer…. no? I’m just real curious, certainly not being a smart ass or know it all Thanks

Comment by Doug | December 15th, 2005 3:14 pm | Permalink

I would like to know more about the Metzler tire balancer. My husband and I own our first motorcycle business together. My husband purchased a great tire changer, and gets the job done in just a few minutes. He purchased the Metzler balancer without instructions, and it takes him 15 min. He works fast but this has slowed him down considerably. Where can we find the application on how to apply this machine to work the way Metzler intended. Thanks, Claudia B&C Custom Cycles

Comment by Claudia Mahady | February 6th, 2006 11:29 am | Permalink

Hi Claudia,
First congrats on your new business! Balancing a tire should not take more than a min or two. One mistake I’ve seen people do is spin the wheel then waiting for it to stop on the heavy side. No need. Just place the wheel on the stand and let gravity do its work. Once stopped I’ll turn the tire a quarter turn or so the other way to see if I get the same resulting heavy side. Based on speed of the tire being pulled by gravity I’ll temporarily attach a weight (amount depending on speed) via duct tape and then rebalance. You’ll know its balanced when you get “different” stopping points. Hopefully this helps?

Comment by Chuck | February 7th, 2006 10:59 am | Permalink

Doug,
No offense taken! I’ve used the HF tire changer and for big heavy touring type tires it does make the job a bit easier. Although, over time/practice, I’ve found its more a matter of technique then muscle even with the heavier touring tires. Regardless, sport tires are so simple to change I never felt the need to upgrade from my basic setup. Now if I could just get to the point where I feel changing my dirt bike rear tire was just as easy….!! Ride Safe!

Comment by Chuck | February 7th, 2006 11:03 am | Permalink

To whom it may concern:

Where can I find the tire bar ?

Those tire bars are shown in the picture.

how much for 2 tire bar?

Best Regards,

-Fred

Comment by fred | June 6th, 2007 3:54 pm | Permalink

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