GSX1400 Owners .org

For years I've been changing tyres in a jig I made that mounted to a brick retaining wall but it does have it's limitations so for the princely sum of AU$145 I bought a Chinese one. At that price I couldn't buy the material so I didn't expect anything brilliant so I wasn't disappointed when it didn't work too well.

First thing to bin was the mount/demount tool although I'll be able to cut it up & use it for other things but my main gripe is that this thing won't clamp the wheel. It will if you just want to hold the rim & use tyre levers but if you want to use a demount tool then it spins on you. The pissy plastic coated clamp tongues are so thin that they can damage the rim once that plastic coating comes off and the rim turns. (see photo) The arms holding the tongues are also weak and flex as you tighten the clamps so there's no chance of securely holding the wheel.

You also need three hands to work the bead breaker but a simple spring clamp sorted that out.

The remedy ... resurrect the one I used on the wall, cut off the mounting lugs and fit it to the new changer, mount a spring clip for the bead breaker arm and make a mount/demount tool similar to the No Mar one.

I'm happy with my tyre changer now that I've de-Chinesed it but for a few extra dollars it could be much better. The tongues need to be wider, about 30mm, and the arms that hold them need to be a bigger section to stop the flexing but the mount/demount tool needs a better design.

Youre a magician Snapey. We have a new tyre machine at work, $5000 worth. For car tyres. Snap On brand, Americas best. Some of the tools didnt work, had to re employ some from old tyre machine. Dont always get what you pay for.

Great info Snapey have been doing it by hand and often looked at these machines thanks for the heads up,

Horse

My tyre changer  :)

My philosophy, when I made my tyre changer and balancing machine, was: don't buy anything, take what you have!
Only cost was those self adhesive wheel balance weights.
Now, after seven tyre changes, I can say: It works great!

T24 your tyre changer is hard to fault, l see it has its own leveller and a drink bottle holder. Looks like the multi purpose machine to sort most problems   :onya:

Pete you are right about not being able buy the material to make it. Mate bought a Chinese log splitter. It sort of worked. He, like you re-modelled it and now its a fabulous tool.
Your tyre changer looks the goods    :clapping: