March 11th, 2014, 07:30 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: nick
Location: brrie
Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 250 ex Posts: 51
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To do my own tires or not...?
I'm a pretty hands on kinda guy. I was thinking of changing my own tires because shops around me want $100 and off the bike. I was sure I could do it until I talked to a buddy who tried his dirt bike tires. He said he gave up and bent his rim...! If I get 3 wheel protectors and 3 irons; what are the changes of me bending the rim? $100 seems steep but I'm sure a rim is more
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March 11th, 2014, 07:38 PM | #2 |
Que Buenos Son!!!
Name: Ryan
Location: Grovetucky, OH
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia Shiver 750, Husaberg FE 450, Ninja 300 (sold), xr100 Posts: A lot.
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$100 and off the bike is ridiculous. If it was cheaper I might say otherwise, but for that I'd say do it yourself. The thing is that once you learn, you never have to pay anyone to do it for you in the future.
I've been changing my own tires for years. With the proper tools it can actually be pretty easy. Harbor Freight even has a tire changer that should make the job a snap. I still use old fashioned tire irons though, they work well enough and are also portable btw. Which can come in handy on the road. So IMO it's a skill that any motorcyclist should learn.
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March 11th, 2014, 07:42 PM | #3 |
Que Buenos Son!!!
Name: Ryan
Location: Grovetucky, OH
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia Shiver 750, Husaberg FE 450, Ninja 300 (sold), xr100 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Nov '14
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Check this out. For less than $100 you can have all your riding buddies paying you to change their tires.
http://www.harborfreight.com/Portabl...l#.Ux_JEvldXng http://www.harborfreight.com/Motorcy...l#.Ux_Ja_ldXng
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Don't do something because it's easy,.. Do it because it's not! If you aren't going forward, then you're falling behind. "Drive it like you stole it"!!! |
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March 11th, 2014, 07:42 PM | #4 |
ninjette.org member
Name: nick
Location: brrie
Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 250 ex Posts: 51
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Maybe ill give it a go. How do you balance them? Dynobeads front and rear?
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March 11th, 2014, 07:45 PM | #5 | |
Daily Ninjette rider
Name: Hernan
Location: Florida
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
Use plenty of rubber lubricant and protect those brake discs from forcing them against the ground. Please, read these: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10296 http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=93076
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March 11th, 2014, 07:47 PM | #6 |
Que Buenos Son!!!
Name: Ryan
Location: Grovetucky, OH
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia Shiver 750, Husaberg FE 450, Ninja 300 (sold), xr100 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Nov '14
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I don't even bother balancing anymore, but you just need some jackstands and stick on wheel weights.
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Don't do something because it's easy,.. Do it because it's not! If you aren't going forward, then you're falling behind. "Drive it like you stole it"!!! |
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March 11th, 2014, 07:51 PM | #7 |
ninjette.org member
Name: nick
Location: brrie
Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 250 ex Posts: 51
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So as long as I put the lightest part at the valve stem I should be ok not balancing?
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March 11th, 2014, 07:59 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org member
Name: nick
Location: brrie
Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 250 ex Posts: 51
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Thanks moto . Just seen that post. And thank you ninjamunky. All great info and fast!!!
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March 11th, 2014, 07:59 PM | #9 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
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Common Ryan!!! Balance those tires brah! You know it only takes a few minutes.
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March 11th, 2014, 08:00 PM | #10 |
Que Buenos Son!!!
Name: Ryan
Location: Grovetucky, OH
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia Shiver 750, Husaberg FE 450, Ninja 300 (sold), xr100 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Nov '14
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Yeah, it's usually marked on the tire so I just put it opposite of the valve stem. I used to balance my tires, it's easy, but after hearing that it wasn't really necessary with moto tires, I stopped.
Haven't had any problems, or irregular wear. I figure if they were out of balance you should feel shaking or something, but even without balancing all the tires I've changed rode smooth as silk.
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Don't do something because it's easy,.. Do it because it's not! If you aren't going forward, then you're falling behind. "Drive it like you stole it"!!! |
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March 11th, 2014, 08:07 PM | #11 |
Participant
Name: Dave
Location: South of Seattle
Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much.
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If you're gonna ride bikes for a few years and you can do most of your own maintenance, you can (and should) change your own (and your friiends') tires.
If I can do it, then you ought to be able to, too. |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
March 11th, 2014, 08:20 PM | #12 | |
Que Buenos Son!!!
Name: Ryan
Location: Grovetucky, OH
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia Shiver 750, Husaberg FE 450, Ninja 300 (sold), xr100 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Nov '14
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Quote:
If I noticed a difference I would, I guess I just haven't gotten a tire that was unbalanced enough to notice. I'm thinking I should start selling those weight on Ebay or something, seriously, I've got like 500 of em or something like that.
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Don't do something because it's easy,.. Do it because it's not! If you aren't going forward, then you're falling behind. "Drive it like you stole it"!!! |
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March 11th, 2014, 08:30 PM | #13 |
Participant
Name: Dave
Location: South of Seattle
Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Aug '15
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How many weights? And how much you looking to get?
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March 11th, 2014, 08:34 PM | #14 |
Que Buenos Son!!!
Name: Ryan
Location: Grovetucky, OH
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia Shiver 750, Husaberg FE 450, Ninja 300 (sold), xr100 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Nov '14
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I don't know man. This was before I knew that you could buy just a few weights at a time. I went to NAPA, and all they had was a big box, thing weighs like 20lbs. Probably wouldn't even be worth it due to price of shipping.
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Don't do something because it's easy,.. Do it because it's not! If you aren't going forward, then you're falling behind. "Drive it like you stole it"!!! |
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March 11th, 2014, 08:39 PM | #15 |
Participant
Name: Dave
Location: South of Seattle
Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Aug '15
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Motorcycle tar weights are normally dispensed in quarther ounce (7 gram) increments. Car tar weights are usually heavier.
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March 11th, 2014, 08:42 PM | #16 |
Que Buenos Son!!!
Name: Ryan
Location: Grovetucky, OH
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia Shiver 750, Husaberg FE 450, Ninja 300 (sold), xr100 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Nov '14
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These aren't the big car ones that clamp onto your rim. They are the small stick on ones, just a big box of em. Is check the weight of em, but I'm on vacation right now.
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Don't do something because it's easy,.. Do it because it's not! If you aren't going forward, then you're falling behind. "Drive it like you stole it"!!! |
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March 11th, 2014, 08:46 PM | #17 |
Participant
Name: Dave
Location: South of Seattle
Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much.
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March 12th, 2014, 08:53 AM | #18 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Lee
Location: Monroe, LA
Join Date: Feb 2014 Motorcycle(s): Rebel 250s, Ninja 250s VN750s (currently nine total) Posts: 465
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I use leather gloves to protect the rim. Effective and cheap.
On tubleless tires I use Ride-on. Balances the tire and has kept me from at least one flat that I know of. http://www.amazon.com/Ride-On-Tire-B.../dp/B0016680T0 |
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March 12th, 2014, 04:54 PM | #19 |
ninjette.org member
Name: nick
Location: brrie
Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 250 ex Posts: 51
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What's that shortest spot you'd recommend?
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March 12th, 2014, 05:52 PM | #20 |
Fighting Texas Aggie '05
Name: Neil
Location: Hutto, TX
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '07 ZX6R, '08 Versys, '09 250R Track, '93 F2/F3 Track Posts: A lot.
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^^ I can tell you that we changed out several tires with irons on the floor. It was not fun. They rode like champs and balanced out no issues, used them on the track the next day. But not fun.
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March 12th, 2014, 06:36 PM | #21 |
ninjette.org member
Name: really
Location: california
Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250 Posts: 80
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do it yourself! My first time changing the tires I did it with an iron and two longish flathead screwdrivers. Total pain in the ass but doable. The plastic cover on five star notebooks works great as a rim protector (also pretty great for shimming the cush), and you can use the new/old tire as a table of sorts to do it on.
The only real problem I had was getting the bead to seat. A part of me really wanted to go with the starter fluid trick(cause you know, fire and stuff) but I didn't want to risk damaging anything, so I just took it to the closest tire shop and they sealed the bead in about two seconds for free. Oh, and just get some dyna beads. I tried the balancing method on the wiki page but it was hopeless. |
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March 13th, 2014, 11:18 AM | #22 |
ninjette.org member
Name: James
Location: Houston, TX
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 1974 Honda CB550F, 1986 Kawasaki Ninja 250, 1975 Honda CB400F, [sold: 1999 Suzuki SV650] Posts: 30
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do it
I do my own tires, and it's really easy. There's no magic to what they do for $100, which is crazy, which is what I was quoted years ago, which is why I've been doing my own ever since. Plus, you'll feel like a man afterwards, unlike last night. hazaa!
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March 13th, 2014, 12:06 PM | #23 |
Que Buenos Son!!!
Name: Ryan
Location: Grovetucky, OH
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia Shiver 750, Husaberg FE 450, Ninja 300 (sold), xr100 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Nov '14
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The other reason I change my own tires is because most places make you buy the tires from them. The iron pony near me does it for a reasonable price, but their tire selection sucks.
__________________________________________________
Don't do something because it's easy,.. Do it because it's not! If you aren't going forward, then you're falling behind. "Drive it like you stole it"!!! |
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March 13th, 2014, 12:16 PM | #24 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Andrew
Location: St Louis
Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): Ducati 1198s, Triumph D675, Suzuki SV1000s, `08 Ninja 250, `11 Ninja 250, Suzuki GS750 Posts: 368
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I've done a few by hand (irons and 2x4s) but upgraded to a manual then to a pneumatic machine.
When your mounting and dismounting keep the bead of the tire in the center of the rim (drop center) this allows you to pull the bead further away from the rim as your mounting/dismounting. Dismounting pull the bead up to the drop center. Mounting push the bead down into the drop center. Breaking the bead I would use 2 2x4's on to support the rim and keep the rotor off the ground, use another 2x4 on the edge of the tire and jump on it to break the bead... When setting the bead after the tire is on keep the valve core out, this allows a higher volume of air to enter and can help with setting the bead. I've had to put as much as 70psi in a tire before the bead would seat and this is even after several attempts at lower psi and re-lubing the beads. I eventually bought a tire bead blaster but have only had to use it on harley/cruiser tires. Check your local forums and craigslist, I advertise tire changes on there and make decent side job money. I don't balance my own wheels either, but use a static balancer to do customers wheels.
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March 13th, 2014, 01:24 PM | #25 |
ninjette.org member
Name: nick
Location: brrie
Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 250 ex Posts: 51
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Thanks for all the info guys. Couple more quick questions.
1: is dish soap and water or to use as lube or does the soap eat the rubber? 2: I bought 3 wheel protectors, 3 16" irons, two tires ( haha), dunno beads (if needed) and a valve core tool. Anything missing? 3: is there any sure fire way to bend the rim that I should avoid? |
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March 13th, 2014, 01:39 PM | #26 | |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Andrew
Location: St Louis
Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): Ducati 1198s, Triumph D675, Suzuki SV1000s, `08 Ninja 250, `11 Ninja 250, Suzuki GS750 Posts: 368
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Quote:
How are you going to break the bead?
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March 13th, 2014, 02:09 PM | #27 |
ninjette.org member
Name: nick
Location: brrie
Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 250 ex Posts: 51
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Try and jump on it with a garden spade haha
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March 13th, 2014, 02:41 PM | #28 |
Participant
Name: Dave
Location: South of Seattle
Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Aug '15
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I admire you guys that change tires with a couple tire spoons on the grass. But
I'm kind of a wuss, so I decided to get some specialty tools. I decided to start changing my own tires in February 2005, when I found a big cut (at least that's what it appeared to be, but I now know it was a delamination failure) on my front Metzler. Local independent tire shops didn't have it in stock (about a one week lead time), friendly local dealer had the tire, but it was $157 mounted and balanced if I brought the wheel in. The dealer had it, I wanted it, and I didn't want to wait a week for a tire, so I bought it. (8 months later, it exhibited the same delamination failure as did the previous tire, but that's fodder for a dreaded tire thread, rather than this tire-changing thread). I don't like paying $50+ dollars extra per tire, and I also don't like having to drive to the shop, drop stuff off, wait around and/or entertain myself for the good part of an hour, and then drive home for something that I might be able to do myself in less time… So I got together with a couple of other guys who are similarly minded and we started acquiring tire changing stuff. Since that time, I've changed 60 or so bike tires, with no chips or dents. Changing car tires with the items listed below is really easy after having done a few motorcycle tires. My thoughts on various products (acquired over several years by several people) and techniques are as follows: Harbor Freight tire changer with motorcycle wheel adaptor: Expected HF fit and finish. Does the job. Does it better and a lot easier if it's bolted to the floor. Recommend Mojo blocks. Also works well for car tires. Have never used the included HF mount-demount bar on MC wheels, as I don't want to scratch a wheel. No-Mar mount-demount bar: Excellent for tire removal. Terrible for tire installation. No-Mar Spoonbars: Will install any difficult tire if you have at lest 3 of them. Haven't needed them since acquiring a Mojo lever. Could maybe mount a tire without the other tools listed here. Maybe. Irwin Quick-Grips: Handy for holding tire bead in rim center groove opposite the tire "spoonbar" (see above). Haven't needed them since acquiring a Mojo lever. Mojo blocks: They bolt onto the Harbor Freight tire changer and totally prevent the tire changer chipping wheel paint. They also grip your buddy's R1200GS spoked tubless wheels with the wide rim. But the Mojo blocks are slippery and strapping a wheel spoke to the Harbor Freight tire changer prevents the wheel from spinning and really helps. Mojo lever: Ok for tire removal. Excellent for tire installation. Haven't needed the tire irons or the No-Mar bar since getting this item. Beemer Balancer: Essentially rollerblade bearings on metal plates. I made my own stand out of 2x4's and a piece of scrap plywood. Ordered it with a nice straight shaft, a pair of stepped cylinders for front wheels, and a multi-use BMW rear wheel adapter. Everything works great, except for the rear wheel adapter, which has just enough slop so as to provide questionable rear wheel balancing (my opinion, your results my vary). Rear wheel adapter no longer used since a coworker who bought a No-Mar cone set joined our little tire changing co-op. Quickie Kit (from Beemer Balancer): Well worth the $13. 5 gram magnets with sticky backing that you temporarily stick to your wheel that's on that balancer, along with several weights that are 10 to 25 grams each that stick to the magnet. Allows me to achieve accurate weight location and amount in a minute or two. No-Mar cone set ("cone pack 6"): An acme-threaded shaft and cones that has allowed accurate slop-free balancing of every rear wheel we've thrown at it. General observations on amateur tire changing: Use tire lube on the tire beads and rims. If it's warm and sunny, set the new tires in the sun while you're demounting the old tires. If it's cold, let the new tires sit in your heated house for a day or 2 (they smell bad, though, and the outgassing is probably not good for you). Wear eye protection and ear protection just in case when seating the beads. Wear old clothes, because you will get filthy. When changing tires with (for) friends or neighbors, make it a social event: have a cup of coffee or a beer or two while working. Honda wheels seem to require less weight for static balance than do BMW wheels (especially GS wire wheels). Kawasaki wheels are not quite as consistent as Honda wheels, but require less weight that some BMW wheels I’ve seen. Tube type tires are a PITA. |
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March 13th, 2014, 04:37 PM | #29 |
ninjette.org member
Name: really
Location: california
Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250 Posts: 80
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+1 for the heat thing^
I've been using dish soap because I was too lazy to get real tire lube, but I've been actively ignoring the fact that it can ruin your rim. (On a side note, the open bowl of soap that I just sort of left sitting on my counter afterwards attracted and captured like 15 fruit flies). also, I assume you're using the wiki page, but there are tons of kickass guides on youtube as well. it'll give you an idea of how much force people are using with the irons. also, I used a clamp to break the bead and it worked like a charm, good luck with your spade haha |
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March 14th, 2014, 10:24 AM | #30 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Brett
Location: Everett, WA
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 1998 Ninja 250 2007 Yamaha R6 2003 Honda RC51... sold :( Posts: 205
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6FD_lXPYbM
I do it pretty much the same as the video. Only thing really different is that I made a nice square out of flat 2x4's to set the wheel on. Big enough to sit outside of the rotor, and small enough that the wheel doesn't fall into/off it. It also makes it easier to find when I need it, and there is a small chance of me accidentally using it for something else on a another project. A long ass 2x4 is good for adding leverage when breaking the bead. If you don't have exposed wall studs or even a garage, use the hitch of your truck. My old place had drywall in the garage, so I just screwed a 2x4 to the wall and used that. I also use actual rim protectors and not the oil jugs like he uses. |
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