Balancing a tire

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

May 25, 2007 | 10:39 PM

dgriffith

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 1,440

Likes: 0

From: Columbus,Indiana/ Arecibo,Puerto Rico

Balancing a tire

I just ordered a new rear tire for my Ultra. Im going to install it myself. No problem. But how do I balance it ? The tires on it now are not balanced. There is no weights anywhere. Been like that since new. Or am I worrying about nothing? thanks Dan

May 25, 2007 | 11:07 PM

iclick

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 11,615

Likes: 50

From: Baton Rouge, LA

RE: Balancing a tire

Quote:

ORIGINAL: dgriffith

I just ordered a new rear tire for my Ultra. Im going to install it myself. No problem. But how do I balance it ? The tires on it now are not balanced. There is no weights anywhere. Been like that since new. Or am I worrying about nothing? thanks Dan

A friend and I bought this balancer that works by mounting each end on a jack stand:

http://www.marcparnes.com/

It works very well, and stick-on balance weights can be purchased at Napa stores. Be sure to line-up the yellow dot on the tire with the valve on the wheel, as that is the lightest point on the circumference of the tire.

May 25, 2007 | 11:21 PM

dgriffith

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 1,440

Likes: 0

From: Columbus,Indiana/ Arecibo,Puerto Rico

RE: Balancing a tire

I didnt know about the yellow dot. I ask around some local riders to see if they have a balancer, Thanks Dan

May 25, 2007 | 11:29 PM

dforeid

Road Captain

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 704

Likes: 45

From: Western Washington

RE: Balancing a tire

I would suggest taking the wheel into the dealer and have them spin balance it. If you do, make sure to leave the rotors and sprocket on as they like to balance to entire rotating assembly. I can't imagine them charging you more than 15 bucks to do it... well worth the money in my opinion.

May 26, 2007 | 01:10 AM

xxxflhrci

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 10,033

Likes: 29

RE: Balancing a tire

I just match the dot with the valve stem and ride on. I've been riding on tires mounted in this fashion for going on 20 years and have never had one that didn't ride smooth. If I did ever get a vibrator, I'd just pull the wheel and have it balanced, but to date it hasn't been an issue so far.