Wheel Balancing

[acee125]

How big of a deal is it to make sure that you get your wheels balanced after you mount new tires? I know that you should on cars but I remember reading some earlier posts on ROV that said it wasn't a big deal. Is that true? Have any of you ran new tires without balancing them? I need new tires but I don't want to pay the stealership $35 a wheel off of the bike. Thanks

[Aelwulf]

Pricey stealership.  The one I got the Meanie at asks $50 for both off the bike.  Since I don't have tools or experience seemed decent enough considering.

[Walt_M.]

Definitely worthwhile to check balance, it can save you some vibration problems later. I do my own, static balance only but it has been good enough. FWIW, the Metzelers I put on my TDM a couple years ago only needed 1/4 oz on the rear tire and nothing on the front, rides smooth as a baby's butt.

[Tiger]

Definitely worthwhile to check balance, it can save you some vibration problems later. I do my own, static balance only but it has been good enough.

8) DITTO, I do static balance too... 8)

[h2olawyer]

Static here, too.  If it's good enough for most GP race teams, it's good enough for me.   ;D

I used bearings from an old, unused set of rollerblades & made a balancer that rests on jackstands.  You can use a steel bar the same diameter as your axle or even the axles themselves.

H₂O

[Kevin]

You can get on you tube and find the no-mar wheel balancing demo. It shows you how to balance wheels.  I've ridden many miles on unbalanced tires.

[Rick G]

Tyres that have the yellow dot , indicating  where the valve stem should go ,usually need little or no added  weight opposite the stem. Even cheap Cheng shin's require litle ballancing.

[Lucky]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBzviKTPMrg

[h2olawyer]

When I added the dual discs to my 82 front wheel, I didn't check the balance of each disc.  After getting it all together, but before installing the tire, I tested the balance & it was off by over 2 ounces.  When I put the new tire on later this month, I'll take the discs off, balance each one then install them with the heavy points as close to 180 degrees apart as possible.  Otherwise, Rick is correct - motorcycle tires are normally very close to perfect when installed properly.

H₂O

[Rick G]

I'm amazed that machined uniform parts would be that far out! :o :o :o

[YellowJacket!]

When I added the dual discs to my 82 front wheel, I didn't check the balance of each disc.  After getting it all together, but before installing the tire, I tested the balance & it was off by over 2 ounces.  When I put the new tire on later this month, I'll take the discs off, balance each one then install them with the heavy points as close to 180 degrees apart as possible.  Otherwise, Rick is correct - motorcycle tires are normally very close to perfect when installed properly.

H₂O

Hmmmmmmm.....I didn't think of that.  May be why I have a little front end vibration since installing the dual brakes.

David

[Rick G]

Mine Vibrate like h**l , but only when I have the brakes on very hard. My right rotor is 35 thousands out of true and the  left 10. The came off the vision racer and it was used hard. At some point I'm going to have to find a fix or replacement.

[Brian Moffet]

Mine Vibrate like h**l , but only when I have the brakes on very hard

Mine vibrate when I brake hard, but it doesn't sound like it's as bad as yours.  I noticed it on Saturday when needing to brake hard.

Brian

[Night Vision]

getting back to the tires..... sort of...

my brother just returned a brand new front Battlax to DK. When we changed two tires a coule of weeks ago, we didn't balance either one... (no time/no equip)...

anyway, his pony was pogo-ing at a moderate gallop, so he went to a shop and had them "balanced".

still wasn't right so I told him to check them for out of round..

yepper.... front tire had a 8-12" welp in it...

just goes to show.... you can "balance" an out of round tire.... just like a battery with a dead cell can show 12V  ;)

[Rick G]

My front brake will rattle your teeth out! I only use it w absolutly necessary and then very gingerly. :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o