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Tire Change/Balance

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harrisch

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Feb 23, 2013
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Well, my stock rear is getting pretty worn down now around 4000 miles and its time to get some new tires. I asked a bunch of local shops around for a pilot road 3 - 190/50/17 for my bike -- most of them quoted me around 300 (MSRP) for the tire, plus mount and balance and that just seemed excessive.

I found the tire for like 170 on revzilla so i just ordered that and now im looking at the nomar tire changer/balancer combo, as well as the tachyon tire balancer....

i was wondering if anyone has any experience with these.


I dont like the idea of beads for balancing, and ive heard that a good static balance can actually be more accurate than a spin balance - hence, with 2 bikes in the garage, and this equipment purchasable for <1k.... what do you guys think. i think itll pay itself off, but ive never balanced tires myself so obviously ill have to learn that.

Does anyone have experience with this equipment/recommendations or advice for me?

much appreciated :)
 
The reviews on the No Mar are stellar. Did you buy the Classic or the blue one? I think the blue one is a knock off marketed by No Mar. Get the Classic.
 
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I've got the complete No-mar setup (classic tire changer and their balancer).

I've only done one change so far (both front and rear). I've not used any others, so I have nothing to compare it to, but the machine is excellent. Some steps are almost too simple (like breaking the bead), while some are quite difficult and take significant effort (getting the bead of new tire over the lip of the rim).

Balancer takes patience. I learned that it's critical to get a really precise location of the heavy spot before you start adding weights. Good balancer in capable hands *may* be very accurate, but I've also used a dynamic balancer before and that thing is absolute cake to use and result was perfectly smooth ride at any speed.

You location doesn't mention where you're from. If you're anywhere near NJ, you're welcome to use mine.
 
thanks for all the help guys - ordered the nomar changer and balancer after reading through this and it delivered with my new PR3 rear today! im gonna be out of town this weekend but im hoping to get it all mounted and set on the bike soon so i can continue riding....


last question - what kind of axle hex tool do u guys use? i believe we have a 19mm hex front and rear correct? any further advice? i think this is the last piece of equipment i will need
 
oh and to second Erci's good guy spirit, after i figure this machine out and get my tires done, the no more expensive tire changes offer will stand for anyone in the western NY area also!
 
harrisch said:
oh and to second Erci's good guy spirit, after i figure this machine out and get my tires done, the no more expensive tire changes offer will stand for anyone in the western NY area also!
Click to expand...

Good man! Yes, the front axle takes a 19mm hex. I got an 19mm hex socket from my hardware store for around ~$10 I think (was about 5 years ago, so can't remember exact price).

There are some tricks out there (like using spark plug socket or threading 2 nuts onto a bolt and locking them against each other and then using bolt head to undo the axle), but honestly it's cheap enough to buy the proper socket and it should last a lifetime.
 
Oh and be sure to watch the videos (included on DVD) and don't be frustrated when your change doesn't go as smoothly as the one in vid. Remember the guy's done it like a thousand times!!
 
Erci said:
Good man! Yes, the front axle takes a 19mm hex. I got an 19mm hex socket from my hardware store for around ~$10 I think (was about 5 years ago, so can't remember exact price).

There are some tricks out there (like using spark plug socket or threading 2 nuts onto a bolt and locking them against each other and then using bolt head to undo the axle), but honestly it's cheap enough to buy the proper socket and it should last a lifetime.
Click to expand...

I still have a bolt thing I made for my first time, now useless, and I had almost forgotten what it was for. A proper Allan Key/Socket makes it SOOOOO much easier, and can be used with a torque wrench. Kind of important for us part-time mechanics that don't have calibrated hands like the pros. The Mechanic at work gives me grief every time I mention torque wrench, and yet he has 4 of them. He's a Harley guy so I don't take it to heart.
 
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