Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Tabarswaacky on May 14, 2011, 01:40:42 PM

Title: Tire changer
Post by: Tabarswaacky on May 14, 2011, 01:40:42 PM

I have a Harbour Freight  tire changer on order.
It apears that the motorcycle attachement is no longer available.
Does anybody know what the diameter of the axle bolts are. Concours 14?
Apparently the beadbreakers limit is 16.5 inches.
Has anybody extended it to 17 inches ?[/b
]I'm not ready to take the wheel off yet, otherwise I would measure it myself.

Thank you
Title: Re: Tire changer
Post by: MAN OF BLUES on May 14, 2011, 01:47:14 PM
this really needs to be in bike accessories thread area....

the bead breaker dimension is from the center outwards, so that means it has a 33" dia rim capacity......more than enough for the tires on a C14.


axle is 17mm dia.
Title: Re: Tire changer
Post by: B.D.F. on May 14, 2011, 04:59:09 PM
There is no effective limit on the size of a motorcycle tire (diameter) that the bead breaker can handle. I believe the limit you are refering to is the width of the tire and wheel, not the diameter of the wheel. You will not have any problem breaking the beads on any motorcycle tires with that bead breaker.

Unless of course you really do have a 17" wide rear tire.  ;)

Brian



I have a Harbour Freight  tire changer on order.
It apears that the motorcycle attachement is no longer available.
Does anybody know what the diameter of the axle bolts are. Concours 14?
Apparently the beadbreakers limit is 16.5 inches.
Has anybody extended it to 17 inches ?[/b
]I'm not ready to take the wheel off yet, otherwise I would measure it myself.

Thank you

Title: Re: Tire changer
Post by: manowarwi on May 14, 2011, 05:11:39 PM
I've changed 17" tires on a harbor freight setup with no problems.  My only advice is let your new tires sit in the sun for a while before you put them on.  I had the pleasure of putting cold tires on my R1 and I fought with it for quite a while.
Title: Re: Tire changer
Post by: Steve D on May 14, 2011, 08:06:32 PM

I have a Harbour Freight  tire changer on order.
It apears that the motorcycle attachement is no longer available.
Does anybody know what the diameter of the axle bolts are. Concours 14?
Apparently the beadbreakers limit is 16.5 inches.
Has anybody extended it to 17 inches ?[/b
]I'm not ready to take the wheel off yet, otherwise I would measure it myself.

Thank you


I don’t think the harbor freight tire change stand is going to do you any good without the motorcycle wheel attachment.  You will not have a way to mount the wheel.   I bought mine a few weeks ago and got the last combo set up in my local store.
Title: Re: Tire changer
Post by: manowarwi on May 14, 2011, 08:17:07 PM
Just a suggestion to everyone who has or is looking at the Harbor Freight tire changer, you should look into getting these blocks:
http://home.comcast.net/~prestondrake/mojoblocks.htm (http://home.comcast.net/~prestondrake/mojoblocks.htm) 

They will help keep your rim from getting banged up.  My co-worker who has the harbor freight changer swears by them.  They also sell a mojo lever that also makes the process easier.
Title: Re: Tire changer
Post by: Lonerider on May 15, 2011, 05:35:37 AM
Just a suggestion to everyone who has or is looking at the Harbor Freight tire changer, you should look into getting these blocks:
http://home.comcast.net/~prestondrake/mojoblocks.htm (http://home.comcast.net/~prestondrake/mojoblocks.htm) 

They will help keep your rim from getting banged up.  My co-worker who has the harbor freight changer swears by them.  They also sell a mojo lever that also makes the process easier.

+1

And I also have the Mojo Lever which works just as advertised and makes this a very simple job. Also don't forget to use some Ruglyde.
Title: Re: Tire changer
Post by: gonzosc1 on May 15, 2011, 06:44:01 AM
where could someone get a motorcycle wheel attachment?
Title: Re: Tire changer
Post by: Steve D on May 15, 2011, 09:47:53 AM
where could someone get a motorcycle wheel attachment?

Harbor Freight discontinued theirs a couple of months ago.  I was told that the only possibility was to check at local stores in your area to see if they had any left.  I got lucky and found one.   
Title: Re: Tire changer
Post by: crashdb on May 18, 2011, 12:34:13 PM
I don't know what the price difference is off my head, but there's a changer out there called No-Mar.  This thing is basically a person-powered motorcycle tire changer that works similar to the air-powered one.  I believe it's a little expensive, but from what I've seen it's well worth the cost.  Do a search.
Title: Re: Tire changer
Post by: Bob on May 18, 2011, 02:50:24 PM
I use a Harbor Freight tire machine with a Nomar bar. A great combination. It has no breaking the beads or holding the wheel to change the tires for the C14!



I have a Harbour Freight  tire changer on order.
It apears that the motorcycle attachement is no longer available.
Does anybody know what the diameter of the axle bolts are. Concours 14?
Apparently the beadbreakers limit is 16.5 inches.
Has anybody extended it to 17 inches ?[/b
]I'm not ready to take the wheel off yet, otherwise I would measure it myself.

Thank you

Title: Re: Tire changer
Post by: ccrider on May 18, 2011, 03:48:08 PM
You most likely don't need the motorcycle attachment. If you can fix a rod through the center of the changer that the wheel can slide over, you can change the tire. The only thing the M/C attachment does is provide a central pivot point around which you lever the tire iron.
Title: Re: Tire changer
Post by: cablebandit on May 19, 2011, 06:51:42 AM
The only thing the M/C attachment does is provide a central pivot point around which you lever the tire iron.

It kind of holds the rim as well.  ;D
Title: Re: Tire changer
Post by: Steve D on May 19, 2011, 11:13:19 AM
You most likely don't need the motorcycle attachment. If you can fix a rod through the center of the changer that the wheel can slide over, you can change the tire. The only thing the M/C attachment does is provide a central pivot point around which you lever the tire iron.

Maybe you are thinking the attachment is the “C” shaped piece that holds the top of the rod that goes into the axel hole.  That is part of it but you don’t need that part what you do need is the 3 spoke piece that sits on top of the basic stand and actually clamps on to and holds the wheel.  That does not come with the basic changer.
Title: Re: Tire changer
Post by: JetJock on May 20, 2011, 04:39:48 AM
Taberwacky, why do you type with SUCH BIG LETTERS? Hard on the eyes.