Harbor Freight bead breaker review - Honda Shadow Forums : Shadow Motorcycle Forum

Convict1997 · 01-02-2013, 12:08 PM

Ordered new tires and didn't want to pay someone else to install them. I mean, really.... how hard can it be? After watching some youtube videos, I went out to the driveway to try the 2x4 under the truck bumper bead breaker method. After an hour of trying to break the bead on the rear tire, I realized I was going to need a bigger boat. I'm pretty sure the 2x4 was going to break before the bead. Checked harbor freight and found this:

Bead Breaker

Normally, $45. On sale for $35. Used a 25% off coupon and got it for $28 with tax. The reviews were kind of hit or miss. I figured, worst case, if it didn't work, I'd just take it back but, for $28, it was worth a shot. Got it assembled and tossed the wheel on and *POP* bead was broken in 2 seconds. Put the front tire on and *POP* bead was off on that one too. Some of the reviews indicated that the angle of the arm pressing on the tire would push the tire off the frame. I didn't have any problems with the back tire. I placed some wood blocks under the rim on the front tire to keep from pressing on the rotor. These allowed the tire to slide out but, I just put a foot behind it to keep it in place. No problem.

Some of the reviews indicated that the base would bend when applying a lot of pressure. Maybe, with a car tire but, on a motorcycle I don't believe this will be a problem.

The only thing I would like to see different is some kind of cover on the rails of the base to keep from scratching the rims. It will be easy enough to split some tubing and glue it in place. For $28, I couldn't be happier.

rb608 · 01-02-2013, 12:41 PM

Not a huge chunk of change if it works. I gotta say though, the advice I got here last time was great. Jump on a garden spade. The bead popped off so easily I couldn't believe it. Inasmuch as changing the tire is maybe a once a year undertaking, I'm more concerned about storing the tool than what it costs.

Convict1997 · 01-02-2013, 12:55 PM

I saw that too. I'm reusing the tubes, though. I was concerned that the spade might slip through and cut the tube.

CrazyDave · 01-02-2013, 01:06 PM

An R&R ( local discount tool store ) big assed screwdriver.. 12 bucks.. does the same

Chillable Red · 01-02-2013, 01:24 PM

I have one of these HF bead breakers. It works well, does the job it is supposed to. I believe it is designed for use with car wheels/tires, so I lay a couple boards down first to protect and support the motorcycle wheel.

mumble · 01-02-2013, 04:57 PM

The bead breaker works well but when you get tires that been on a rim for a while and dry rotted that's when the fun starts.
Start spraying soapy water and jumping on the tire to break it loose.

ken99287 · 01-02-2013, 05:07 PM

I've had no issues breaking the bead with a 2x4... I've done more than 20 tires this way... the advantage of this is you don't need to store anything.

Sent from my cm_tenderloin using Motorcycle.com Free App

rkforrest · 01-02-2013, 05:38 PM

Bead Breaker is this the one or this one

Motorcycle Bead Breaker
the MC one looks like a toy.He He

CrazyDave · 01-02-2013, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken99287

I've had no issues breaking the bead with a 2x4... I've done more than 20 tires this way... the advantage of this is you don't need to store anything.

Sent from my cm_tenderloin using Motorcycle.com Free App

2X4 big ass screwdriver.. it's all good

Big B · 01-02-2013, 07:06 PM

You can also use a shovel to break the beads as well.

01-02-2013, 12:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
Convict1997 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 675	Harbor Freight bead breaker review Ordered new tires and didn't want to pay someone else to install them. I mean, really.... how hard can it be? After watching some youtube videos, I went out to the driveway to try the 2x4 under the truck bumper bead breaker method. After an hour of trying to break the bead on the rear tire, I realized I was going to need a bigger boat. I'm pretty sure the 2x4 was going to break before the bead. Checked harbor freight and found this: Bead Breaker Normally, $45. On sale for $35. Used a 25% off coupon and got it for $28 with tax. The reviews were kind of hit or miss. I figured, worst case, if it didn't work, I'd just take it back but, for $28, it was worth a shot. Got it assembled and tossed the wheel on and POP bead was broken in 2 seconds. Put the front tire on and POP bead was off on that one too. Some of the reviews indicated that the angle of the arm pressing on the tire would push the tire off the frame. I didn't have any problems with the back tire. I placed some wood blocks under the rim on the front tire to keep from pressing on the rotor. These allowed the tire to slide out but, I just put a foot behind it to keep it in place. No problem. Some of the reviews indicated that the base would bend when applying a lot of pressure. Maybe, with a car tire but, on a motorcycle I don't believe this will be a problem. The only thing I would like to see different is some kind of cover on the rails of the base to keep from scratching the rims. It will be easy enough to split some tubing and glue it in place. For $28, I couldn't be happier. __________________

01-02-2013, 12:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
rb608 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Maryland Posts: 466	Not a huge chunk of change if it works. I gotta say though, the advice I got here last time was great. Jump on a garden spade. The bead popped off so easily I couldn't believe it. Inasmuch as changing the tire is maybe a once a year undertaking, I'm more concerned about storing the tool than what it costs. __________________ '99 Shadow VT1100C Spirit - daily driver '99 Rebel CMX250C2 - Sold! '83 Shadow 750 - goodbye and good luck '72 CL350 - You never forget your first

01-02-2013, 12:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
Convict1997 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 675	I saw that too. I'm reusing the tubes, though. I was concerned that the spade might slip through and cut the tube. __________________

01-02-2013, 01:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
Chillable Red Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Eastern Texas Posts: 332	I have one of these HF bead breakers. It works well, does the job it is supposed to. I believe it is designed for use with car wheels/tires, so I lay a couple boards down first to protect and support the motorcycle wheel.

01-02-2013, 04:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
mumble Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 17	The bead breaker works well but when you get tires that been on a rim for a while and dry rotted that's when the fun starts. Start spraying soapy water and jumping on the tire to break it loose.

01-02-2013, 05:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
ken99287 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 164	I've had no issues breaking the bead with a 2x4... I've done more than 20 tires this way... the advantage of this is you don't need to store anything. Sent from my cm_tenderloin using Motorcycle.com Free App

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