tire machine adapter

[GWrider2016]

I have access to a tire machine at work and was wondering if a company makes an adapter for the machine to be able to spin a motorcycle tire.
If they do make one can anyone recommend a certain brand. Thanks.

[WingAdmin]

I've only ever used machines on motorcycle tires that were designed for motorcycle tires.

That said, I did a quick search and found that there are actually universal adapters that bolt onto the claws of tire changing machines to allow them to grip a motorcycle wheel, like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-adapt ... B078RWFL2X

[GWrider2016]

Thanks...i saw those adapter as well. I was hoping someone had first hand experience with these.

[Solo So Long]

Depending on the machine and wheel size, you may not need an adapter. The two things that these adapters do is reduce the machine's minimum wheel size by 2" and they raise the wheel a bit (useful if the machine claws aren't tall enough to clear brake discs, or if the operating rod doesn't get all the way down to the rim).

If you don't need either of these advantages, then just use the machine as it sits.

One piece of advice is to put lubricant on the tire iron where it will contact the tire -- the motorcycle tires don't have a lot of extra rubber around the bead wires, and if there's a tube you don't want it sticking to the end of the iron.

[nwkwinger]

Several years ago, on my 1993 Kawasaki ZX11, I needed to have a rear tire replaced. I took the rear wheel off and then took it and the new tire to a motorcycle repair shop to have the new tire installed. I was VERY unhappy when I got the wheel back home and found gouges in the aluminum from the tire machine. After that, I swore that I'd never have another tire installed by a shop and have always installed my tires by hand after that. I know that this isn't desired or even possible for everyone, but it's my way. Rim damage is always a possibility when someone uses a tire machine.

[Solo So Long]

Rim damage is always a possibility when someone uses a tire machine.

Rim damage is always a possibility when using steel tools against aluminum rims.

The shop should have put plastic or rubber between the clamps and the rim.

[Crusty1]

Is the OP referring to a Tire Mounting adapter or a Spin Balancer adapter? He used the word "spin" in the original post. The Mayflower dynamic spin balancer I have offers an adapter to use with MC wheels. http://mayflowertools.com/ http://mayflowertools.com/product/new-m ... e-package/. I did not purchase one as i use a static balancer for MC tires and only use the spin balancer for my car wheels. Looks like it would work but I'm happy with the results of my static balancer. If I use it correctly balance is good well beyond 100MPH maybe more.

[WingAdmin]

Rim damage is always a possibility when someone uses a tire machine.

Rim damage is always a possibility when using steel tools against aluminum rims.

The shop should have put plastic or rubber between the clamps and the rim.

The tire machine I always used (which was a motorcycle-specific machine) had white nylon clamps, to prevent damaging the wheels.

[AZgl1800]

for balancing, I never use weights.

only Dyna Beads.

[Crusty1]

The adapters I have for the mayflower tire mounting machine are like the ones in the Amazon link above. They have nylon covers for the jaws so they don’t scratch the rim. They allow an increase or deacrase of 2” so I can fit 12” - 21” rims. The adapters also raise the MC wheel up so the jaws will clear the brake rotor.

[2manywings]

I have an Atlas tire changer with adapters and protective covers. The adapters allow you to be able to leave the brake rotors in place. I buy all of my supplies from Greg Smith Equip. in Indy, ID. they have a good website. Good Luck!