Tire balancing...

[Tricky Mike]

So, I mounted up a new set of Powers on Saturday. My question is about balancing. The front took about 50 grams to balance. I even took it off the stand, broke the bead, spun the tire on the rim and re-balanced it.
I've never had to use more than 20 grams before. Is using this much weight relatively common and I've just been lucky in the past? (the rear only took 5 grams).

[Awesome]

Did you line up the dot opposite the valvestem?

Used race tires are the only I usually see needing a ton of weight to balance.

[Degsy]

Sounds like something's up. Like you, I have never used more than 3/4 of an ounce. 50 grams is about 1 3/4 ounces.

derek

[Tricky Mike]

The front didn't have a dot... just a bar code that I figured was probably the heavy spot. I put that opposite the stem... When it came out needing so much weight, I figured I should spin the tire on the rim just to make sure what I thought was the heavy spot was actually the heavy spot... so I put the bar code at the stem and it made it worse (so I guess I was right the first time). I broke the bead (again) and spun it back, but it's still around 50 grams.




The OEM tire that I pulled off didn't have any weight at all, so I suspect that the rim is cool...
Maybe I should try to balance it without the rotors to rule them out?

[Degsy]

That won't buy you miuch unless you want to ride with no rotors LOL.

I would see if you can check the wheel and rotors for runout. Also, try spinning the wheel really fast for a few spins to warm up the grease in the bearings. Maybe you have a tight spot in the wheel bearings or some corrosion on the axle?

Of course, it might just be that the tire is on the hairy edge of the factory balance specs.


derek

[Tricky Mike]

True, true... I was thinking that perhaps there was a heavy spot on the rotors that was adding to the problem... ie: if it only takes 10 grams without the rotors... I could potentially rotate them accordingly, but I think it's a long-shot.

The balancing stand I made uses 4 de-greased, no seals, lightly oiled ABEC 5 bearings (kind of like the one in the pic), so grease/seal drag on the wheel bearings shouldn't be a factor.

I'm suspecting that the tire may just be on the hairy edge... Ah whaddayagonnado. I'm just not too stoked on having two large weights on my front wheel that could potentially turn into missiles if they came loose at high speed .

[Degsy]

It doesn't look pretty, but I prefer to put duct tape over the weights for the first couple of weeks until the glue really sets on the weights.

Just put half the weights on one side and the other half on the other side, then it looks from either side like you only have 3 or so small weights each side.

derek

[Karaya One]

Michelin's do not have balance dots. You are balancing the rim with a Michelin.

[LiononaLeash]

+1 on Michelins not having Dots.

I put some Powers on the other day... Had me wondering... All is well balanced now

[Tricky Mike]

Originally posted by Karaya One
Michelin's do not have balance dots. You are balancing the rim with a Michelin.

Good to know...
Does that blue dot on the rear bead signify something? (just curious).

[KB]

I have been mounting my tires and numerous "others" tires for years now and we gave up on the balancing bullshit.

KB

[Hardcore]

Originally posted by rmbbikes
I have been mounting my tires and numerous "others" tires for years now and we gave up on the balancing bullshit.

KB

nice timely reply numnut!!

this post ended a month ago!

[sandman]

Originally posted by rmbbikes
I have been mounting my tires and numerous "others" tires for years now and we gave up on the balancing bullshit.

KB

same here. i just line up the dots and leave whatever weights that are on the rims where they are.

i've never had any vibrations.

[KB]

Originally posted by hardcore
nice timely reply numnut!!

this post ended a month ago!

Here is another timely reply:

GO FUCK YOURSELF




KB

[stoinkythepig]

I was going to write that I never bother with balancing, but I was forced to balance the new front Continental Road Attack on my 9R yesterday. It was pretty far out of balance and vibrating at highway speed. All better now.

[Karaya One]

The Road Attack is a very underrated tire. It is a very good piece of rubber.

The new Sport Attack is even better!

[stoinkythepig]

Originally posted by Karaya One
The Road Attack is a very underrated tire. It is a very good piece of rubber.

On my second set. I like 'em. How much do you get for a 120 70 17 and a 180 55 17?

[Karaya One]

Motorace is a distributor - I get in trouble for selling street rubber direct to the customer. Dealers hate that.

Sorry.