No Mar Tire Machine

[Metric]

Just showed up yesterday. I'm all excited :yahoo: and will probably remove and install the new front tire for my FJR 6 times today.

 

[Chips]

:specool: I am a big fan of those changers. It's my next big investment.

 

[skyway]

Damn, you got a beaver in that garage who eat that pallet for breakfast?

Nice looking tire changer, I'm considering a tire changer myself, not sure which kind yet. Please post up a review of this machine once you've thoroughly tested it. h34r:

 

[wheatonFJR]

Damn, you got a beaver in that garage who eat that pallet for breakfast?
Nice looking tire changer, I'm considering a tire changer myself, not sure which kind yet. Please post up a review of this machine once you've thoroughly tested it. h34r:

All I know is, after watching Smitty changing a tire on a Nomar, I wouldn't buy any other kind. He went through my tires like a hot knife through butter, and he wasn't changing them...just taking them off to balance them.

 

[escapefjrtist]

That is a good looking piece of equipment. Every garage needs one, especially mine! Do let us know how it works out.

And wheaton...don't ya hav to put dem skins on to balance 'em? :blum:

--G

 

[wheatonFJR]

...And wheaton...don't ya hav to put dem skins on to balance 'em? :blum: -G

<OFFTOPIC

You're absolutely correct there George.

Actually, if IIRC he removed my skins, found the heavy spot in the wheels, put the skins back on then balanced with the skins on. Won't find too many people who will offer to do all that. After that he did stuff to KSFJR's bike, then to GB's bike. Then we ate catfish an stuff...then the next day we rode curvy roads all day. Then the next day we rode curvy roads all day. Just a typical Hooterville weekend

BACK ON TOPIC>

I like Nomar.

 

[dbvolfan]

Wow, that is sweet!

I really want one of those but it is probably #19 on my farkle list.

 

[Metric]

I love it. I have a new set of Avons for my bike. I mounted and dismounted the front tire 6 times just to learn the tricks of the machine and get good at it. Although it will take a few tires before I stop stubbling around completely, I can tell it will be worth the money.

I've got some pictures I'll post up later on today. I made it movable. I plan on taking it to a couple of bike shows this year so that people can see the machine and know that I'm here. I hope it is a good attention grabber.

I've also been experimenting with tire balancing beads (the beads that balance from the inside of the tire). I'll have to do a write up on that later also, but I have one more experiment I'd like to do. I'm gonna throw a tire on an electronic tire balancer and see what it says before the beads are installed and after. So far, I'm just as impressed with the beads as I am with my No Mar machine.

If you guys have the coin to spend and want your own machine, I would definetly look into one of these! For my shop, I went with the Pro, but and individual would probably get along great with the classic model for less money.

A couple of more pictures to come later today....

ADDED: Skyway, if you'd like to chat more about details of the machine on the phone, we can do that. Go to No Mars's site and order one of the instructional DVD's they have. Its free for anyone that wants one and does a good job of explaining things. I referenced it a couple of times today.

 

[Rogue]

Nice changer!

MCN did a test of various balancer beads and decided they don't work.

I love it. ...I've also been experimenting with tire balancing beads (the beads that balance from the inside of the tire). I'll have to do a write up on that later also, but I have one more experiment I'd like to do. I'm gonna throw a tire on an electronic tire balancer and see what it says before the beads are installed and after. So far, I'm just as impressed with the beads as I am with my No Mar machine.

 

[Metric]

MCN did a test of various balancer beads and decided they don't work.

I read one review (can't remember which magazine) and they didn't like them either. However, they admitted that they did nothing more then just put them in the tire and ride. They didn't actaully do any testing. Yes there is something to be said for how somthing feels, but your feelings can be scewed by disbelief. I also really didn't expect them to work but thought I would give them a try just to make sure.

I've been runnning them in my FJR for a few weeks now. I did a little test of my own the night I put them in. With the bike on the center stand, I set up a micrometer to measure movement in the swingarm. I set the micrometer to read from the furthest point back on the arm and from the bottom side. First I measure the movement with the tire balanced with typical weights. I measured 15 units (thousands) of bounce at 55 mph once the speed was steady. Then I pulled the weight off the wheel all together and measured it again, I measured 30 units of bounce at 55 mph. Then I took the weights and stuck them back on the wheel 180 degrees from their original position to really throw things out of wack. I measured 48 units of bounce at 55 mph.

After all that I put the beads in the tire. With the weights still on the wheel in the wrong position, and we ran the speed up to 55 mph again. This time I measured 12 units of bounce from the swingarm! No matter where I put the weights or if they were even on the wheel, I got the same reading.

The last test will be on my back tire possibly later this week. I'm taking the wheel and tire in to have them balanced on a normal spin balance machine. But instead of actually putting the weights on the wheel when it is done, I'm putting the beads in the tire. Then we'll run it through again and see what the machine says. I highly doubt that it says that the wheels needs no weight, but I will be impressed as long as it comes up with something significantly less then the orginal weight.

To be continued...

 

[skyway]

Hey Smitty, which kind did you go with? Will the classic cut it or do I need something more substantial?

Metric - Have you tried a rear tire yet? If so, how was that compared to the front? On a scale of 1-10 (1 being easy and 10 being a royal bitch) how would you rate this machine?

I'm looking at this setup as a long term investment. It will take me about 14 tire changes (front and back) to cover the bill, based on what I pay right now. Not long at all based on how quickly the FJR eats tires. Plus I can swap tires whenever I want, especially when I need some fresh skins for a big ride, I can swap back to the partially used set that still have a couple thousand miles left in 'em.

When a good set of tires run around $250, there's plenty of $$ to be saved here as well. I want all the rubber I can get out of my tires.

 

[Metric]

I haven't done the rear tire yet. I have a few miles left in my rear. I do have an M109 coming that is going to get an even wider rear tire then it originally came with. I'll let you know how it goes. My guess is that it will still be very easy...its a quality tool.

 

[smitty141]

Hey Smitty, which kind did you go with? Will the classic cut it or do I need something more substantial?
Metric - Have you tried a rear tire yet? If so, how was that compared to the front? On a scale of 1-10 (1 being easy and 10 being a royal bitch) how would you rate this machine?

I'm looking at this setup as a long term investment. It will take me about 14 tire changes (front and back) to cover the bill, based on what I pay right now. Not long at all based on how quickly the FJR eats tires. Plus I can swap tires whenever I want, especially when I need some fresh skins for a big ride, I can swap back to the partially used set that still have a couple thousand miles left in 'em.

When a good set of tires run around $250, there's plenty of $$ to be saved here as well. I want all the rubber I can get out of my tires.

I have the classic model and it has been a great tool in my shop. I have not kept count but I would say I have changed over 100+ tires on my machine. I have been thinking about up grading to the pro model, but the classic does a great job for me. I have changed tires from air out to air in... in less than 3 minutes. The trick is in the lube... I just bought some lube from a tire supply dist. that is for uses on alum wheels using low profile, and run flat tires. I mounted a set of the new Storms in less than 10 minutes. After you change a few sets the better you get at it... I am a big fan of No-Mar, I was the first person to buy one of there changer. Smitty

 

[pawtracks]

Here's a link for easy looking. :dribble:

Are these only available factory direct?

or are there other places to buy them?

I didn't see anything about a dealer network and google didn't show up much other than great reviews.

That free shipping offer they had in December was a nice discount!

Looks like it works out to be about a $100 discount.

I will have to keep an eye out for that next year.

 

[Metric]

Pawtracks,

You can only purchase them directly from No Mar. The only distibutors they are going to set up will be in other countries.

Here are the pictures I promised. I figure that most people would probably not prefer to bolt something like this to their garage floor. For me with a one double wide door, my only choice would be stuff it in a corner somewhere that I would have sufficient space to work around it. Plus I'm going to take it with me to a couple of bike shows. I think this will be a solid base for a couple of years if I need it to be. Its 7/8ths flooring by the way.

I had one other picture that didn't take. I took a close up of the wheel to show that even after 6 amature removeals and installs, there wasn't one single mark.

 

[skyway]

Looking good metric.

 

[Rickster]

You may also check out the mojolever. It's not a machine, just the bar.

Clicky

 

[SkooterG]

Dang, that thing is purty. I have been wanting one for a loooong time. But shazam! That thing is pricey! Especially the Pro model, and all their extras.

Kind of hard to justify after spending $75 on the Harbor Freight tire changer. Scratched wheels and all.

Still, I waaaaant one.

 

[650cent]

Hey,

It makes it a lot easier if you can go in on it with someone. Nomar does have a eBay listing every once in a while, so you can save about a $100 or $150 bucks there. I got the Jr.Pro which I bolted to the garage floor using flush anchors so I can remove it, screw in an allen head plug flush with the floor, and store the change off to the side. Lets the wife park her car, keeping her happy and all that. One factor not mentioned is the cost of disposing the old tires. I was thinking about taking them to a auto tire place but don't know if it would be any cheaper just paying at the dump/ recycle center.

Bill