Front Tire and Mini Tire Inflator

[Firehawk068]

I checked my notes on the front tire that I put on (August 2013) Michelin Pilot Road 2.
It had about 4200 miles on it, but only looks half worn.
I decided to change it anyway, with a matching Continental Conti-Motion 120/70ZR17.

If I put (2) 60lb bags of sand on the Wingrack, it lifts the front tire off the ground for service.



Front tire came off super easy! 





New tire ready to install.



Use plenty of lube.



I got one of these Bead-Keepers. It makes the job easier.



All cleaned and dried. Ready for balancing.



I have a small stash of wheel weights in with my brass fittings.



I used Derek's tip of taping some old weights to the wheel to find the right balance needed.



Required just 1 ounce total.



Wheel bolted back in place with a new cotter-pin for the axle nut.



A little blue Lok-Tite on the caliper bolts.



All back together.
Maintenance Complete.
Aside from a little bit of detailing, she is "Rally-Ready"! 



The wheel-clamp blocks that I made out of wood worked really well.
Between those, and using a ratchet strap to hold the wheel in place, it was a much easier job than the back tire was.

I have been wanting to do something about a tire inflator also. (with all the talk lately about nails, and plug kits, and such.)
I've had this "Slime" tire inflator sitting on a shelf in the garage for quite some time.
I bought it for my wife years ago. She used to keep it in the back of her Santa-Fe. When she sold the SUV, and we got the Town and Country, it was taken out and shelved.
I decided to put it to use for the FJ.



I stripped the bulky plastic box off of it, and added a padded strap (by bending apart a cable-clamp).
I can hang it off a brake rotor, or chain/sprocket, or engine-guard during use.
It has a built-in pressure gauge, and I also cut off the cigarette lighter plug, and spliced-on a spare battery charging plug, so it just plugs into my fused battery lead.



It folds up into a relatively small space.
I simply stuck it into a leftover cloth bag that my padded backrest (for my Givi top-case) came in.
I'll stick a bunch of the tire repair strips, and the reamer/plug tools in the bag with it.







I can only hope I'll never need to use it, but knowing it's there will ease my mind on longer 2-wheeled treks. 

[FJmonkey]

Looking good dude....

[Capn Ron]

Yeah...most awesome Alan!  Being able to change and balance tires at home is SO handy...and is hard to put a price on!   

Your "Slime conversion" into a compact setup looks almost exactly like the little Aerostitch compressor I have.  Handy as all hell and super compact.  Why *wouldn't* you carry one?!  They do run hot, and being small, run for a long time.  Being able to hang it off something is key to give it plenty of cooling air.  You just let it dangle there for a bit to cool off while you high-five your buddies for a successful tire repair on the side of the road!   

[FeralJuggernaut]

Tool envy...  Look at that mancave!   Tech day at Alan's place!!     

[Firehawk068]

Tool envy...  Look at that mancave!   Tech day at Alan's place!!     

Erich, get your butt up here!
I'll provide the tools, beer, smoked-meat, and tunes...........
I have a "One-Stop" shop! 


I keep hoping that you are going to show up at the Black Hills Rally, and surprise us. 

[Capn Ron]

Use plenty of lube.

I think this sums it up:

[ribbert]

Alan, I see you have a hard case for your magazine collection, nice!

Noel

[Firehawk068]

Alan, I see you have a hard case for your magazine collection, nice!
Noel

Yep 

Easy carry handle, to take them on-the-go. (primarily for the articles, of course)

[Arnie]

Should probably put this in a sale column, but....

I have a wine carton of old Playboy magazines in good to very good condition.
Anyone interested in buying them?
I'll let them go very cheaply and will even count them for you.

PM me if interested

Arnie

[mr blackstock]

Good to very good condition?....

Some are "used" more than others?...

You naughty boy.