Wheel Balancing.?
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 737
Likes: 4
From: Scotland,UK
Summer almost ended here in Scotland (UK) so will go with Front Wheel balance to see what happens. Bungo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,097
Likes: 4,676
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
I wouldn't buy into that rear tire doesn't need it idea, rears are often heavier and the more weight, the more out of balance they could be. You just don't feel it as easy as the front, where you get vibration in the handlebars.
None of the tires I've used the past few years had a dot. I just rotate the tire around the rim on a static balancer till I find the spot with the least out of balance, then seat the bead there. Can make an ounce or more difference in out of balance before weights, if you use those. I use stick on weights temporarily to find out how much it really needs, then I'll use a bit more than that of Dynabeads. I suspect the folks that say they don't work didn't use enough; some wheel/tire combinations can be off substantially more than the Dynabead figures for various tire sizes. Ride On is different, should have more than enough in a can; I plan to try that stuff next, it's getting good reviews here.
Tire changing is a good time to at least check the bearings. I pop a plastic seal off (easy with a tiny screwdriver, press back on easy - I've never damaged one) and have a look inside. Any grit, the bearing comes out. I like to feel them with the axle out, too, can feel roughness better - none allowed, for me. I suspect a lot of the low mileage failures reported were from insufficient or poor quality grease; I make sure they have enough of that, too, and replace any of that clear stuff that looks like vaseline, even in new bearings. That's a do it yourself job, though, I doubt many shop mechanics would take the time, unless you pay an hourly rate for it, and then I wouldn't trust them to do it right anyway.
None of the tires I've used the past few years had a dot. I just rotate the tire around the rim on a static balancer till I find the spot with the least out of balance, then seat the bead there. Can make an ounce or more difference in out of balance before weights, if you use those. I use stick on weights temporarily to find out how much it really needs, then I'll use a bit more than that of Dynabeads. I suspect the folks that say they don't work didn't use enough; some wheel/tire combinations can be off substantially more than the Dynabead figures for various tire sizes. Ride On is different, should have more than enough in a can; I plan to try that stuff next, it's getting good reviews here.
Tire changing is a good time to at least check the bearings. I pop a plastic seal off (easy with a tiny screwdriver, press back on easy - I've never damaged one) and have a look inside. Any grit, the bearing comes out. I like to feel them with the axle out, too, can feel roughness better - none allowed, for me. I suspect a lot of the low mileage failures reported were from insufficient or poor quality grease; I make sure they have enough of that, too, and replace any of that clear stuff that looks like vaseline, even in new bearings. That's a do it yourself job, though, I doubt many shop mechanics would take the time, unless you pay an hourly rate for it, and then I wouldn't trust them to do it right anyway.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,504
Likes: 150
From: ct
I run the Dyna Beads In both wheels, thirty year old bike, smooth as can be on the highway, I believe they do the job, and for what they cost, why not.
Also, a balanced wheel will extend bearing life.
Also, a balanced wheel will extend bearing life.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 35,239
Likes: 19,070
From: 40.2444° N, 75.6419° W
I would balance both. On my bikes they wew both done at factory. I beleive if you are going to ride at highway speeds it is a good thing. You may not notice anything at certain low speeds, but if the tire is out of balance, it will show up at some point.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 737
Likes: 4
From: Scotland,UK
I wouldn't buy into that rear tire doesn't need it idea, rears are often heavier and the more weight, the more out of balance they could be. You just don't feel it as easy as the front, where you get vibration in the handlebars.
None of the tires I've used the past few years had a dot. I just rotate the tire around the rim on a static balancer till I find the spot with the least out of balance, then seat the bead there. Can make an ounce or more difference in out of balance before weights, if you use those. I use stick on weights temporarily to find out how much it really needs, then I'll use a bit more than that of Dynabeads. I suspect the folks that say they don't work didn't use enough; some wheel/tire combinations can be off substantially more than the Dynabead figures for various tire sizes. Ride On is different, should have more than enough in a can; I plan to try that stuff next, it's getting good reviews here.
Tire changing is a good time to at least check the bearings. I pop a plastic seal off (easy with a tiny screwdriver, press back on easy - I've never damaged one) and have a look inside. Any grit, the bearing comes out. I like to feel them with the axle out, too, can feel roughness better - none allowed, for me. I suspect a lot of the low mileage failures reported were from insufficient or poor quality grease; I make sure they have enough of that, too, and replace any of that clear stuff that looks like vaseline, even in new bearings. That's a do it yourself job, though, I doubt many shop mechanics would take the time, unless you pay an hourly rate for it, and then I wouldn't trust them to do it right anyway.
None of the tires I've used the past few years had a dot. I just rotate the tire around the rim on a static balancer till I find the spot with the least out of balance, then seat the bead there. Can make an ounce or more difference in out of balance before weights, if you use those. I use stick on weights temporarily to find out how much it really needs, then I'll use a bit more than that of Dynabeads. I suspect the folks that say they don't work didn't use enough; some wheel/tire combinations can be off substantially more than the Dynabead figures for various tire sizes. Ride On is different, should have more than enough in a can; I plan to try that stuff next, it's getting good reviews here.
Tire changing is a good time to at least check the bearings. I pop a plastic seal off (easy with a tiny screwdriver, press back on easy - I've never damaged one) and have a look inside. Any grit, the bearing comes out. I like to feel them with the axle out, too, can feel roughness better - none allowed, for me. I suspect a lot of the low mileage failures reported were from insufficient or poor quality grease; I make sure they have enough of that, too, and replace any of that clear stuff that looks like vaseline, even in new bearings. That's a do it yourself job, though, I doubt many shop mechanics would take the time, unless you pay an hourly rate for it, and then I wouldn't trust them to do it right anyway.
Might leave it until Spring 2017. Thanks to others who replied. Bungo
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 13,587
Likes: 34,962
From: Pine Flat Dam/South Bay Area, CA
I static balance the wheels & tires, too. Works every bit as good as the fancy spin balancers at the dealer.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 283
Likes: 44
From: WV
I can definitely feel a difference in my bike with Ride On in the tires and it gives me a great piece of mind as well.m Watch the videos on Youtube and I think you will agree that it is well worth it.