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[RayG]

I've been advertising on Craig's List in my home state and a few surrounding ones for a No Mar or similar manual tire changer for most of the winter without success.  Recentely I have been calling local dealerships to ask if they have an extra one for sale or if they would consider upgrading if they could sell me their current one.  I called a shop today that had consolidated two shops into one location and have an extra Coats RC100 that they would consider selling for $1000.00.  I won't be able to see it until Thursday, I have no experience in using either type of tire machine, but I always thought simple is best.  I'm 60 now and the Orthopedic Specialist said I was lucky to have made it this far but indicated with my continued physical therapy I probably can stretch out another 5 years of riding, so it won't be in use for very long.  I take more pain killers than I would like to admit too but along with the therapy that is what it takes for me to function.  Not complaining at all as I feel blessed & grateful that I have had this much riding time.   Like many that have said it better than I can describe, in my case riding is my release to improve the quality of my life.  And I have no interest in a trike, just figure add a fourth wheel and get a rag top.  I ride alone (wife is BSR) and most likely won't be changing out tires from others to help pay for it but who knows I guess it's possible.  I really want to be able to change my own tires with the simplest, safest and least expensive method possible.  I can handle pulling and manual labor I just have to do it when I feel up to it, it's the jarring and rough road conditions that can wreck havoc on my spine in no time.  Any help would be greatly appreciated either on the Forum or send me a PM.  The people on this Forum has taken me from having all my previous work done to purchasing a used Handy lift to do a lot of my own work.  I have gone far beyond what I thought was possible for me just by asking or listening to people who take the time to share their valuable experience.  So while I'm here a Big Thank You for those who continually assist the needy.   

Thank You       

[rheiner]

If you have only 5 years of riding you'd need to change a lot of tires to come close to paying for it. Plus, what about the balancing? What I do is take my wheels off my motorcycle and take them to the dealer and have the tire changed and the wheel balanced. The dealer charges me $40 (front or rear wheels), then I install the wheel with the new tire, balanced and ready to go. I like to have control of this process so I can clean and inspect the brakes, inspect wheel bearings, and make sure it gets installed properly and correctly to my standards. 

[RayG]

I remove the wheels and just bring them in for removal & mounting but I usually re balance the tires.  I usually end up using 5 tires per season, plus or minus depending on the mileage and tire condition.  My average use is 2 front and 3 rear per season, plus I can do my trailer tires and the Subaru is small enough to do.  I guess I'll find out Thursday.  If I could find a tire better than the Dunlop I could save more using the internet. I have Metzlers on the bike now and I can't wait to remove them.