Wheel Balancing
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 17,684
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From: Niagara, Ontario, Canada
Wheel Balancing
I brought in my 28 spoke knuckle rims to get my new Dunlop American Elites installed. Got the call, ready for pick up. To my surprise, I looked for the weights because I was specific on where to place them. They needed no weights. I asked the guy, who owns the shop, because never had this happen before. So, the question, anyone else run into this? Thanks for replies.
Sometimes it works out that you dont need them. although rare.
Sign of a quality tire if it needs none or near zero weight added to balance IMO. Usually with spoked wheels you need something though. After running Pirelli Night dragons on my bike and installing them myself, I dont even bother to balance them, throw in an ounce in the front and 1.5-2oz of balance beads and run it. That way as they wear its always perfect in balance.
Sign of a quality tire if it needs none or near zero weight added to balance IMO. Usually with spoked wheels you need something though. After running Pirelli Night dragons on my bike and installing them myself, I dont even bother to balance them, throw in an ounce in the front and 1.5-2oz of balance beads and run it. That way as they wear its always perfect in balance.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Honah Lee
OEM cast wheels and quality tires need little balancing if any. Why so many people think beads rolling around in there is doing something. No weight on my front. Maybe a couple 1/4oz on back. Doubt you could tell it if I took the two 1/4 oz off the back.
They do need to be dynamic checked. Spin balance on modern quality equipment that shows out of balance in two planes. Especially the wider rims on modern bikes.
They do need to be dynamic checked. Spin balance on modern quality equipment that shows out of balance in two planes. Especially the wider rims on modern bikes.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Mar 29, 2018 at 03:39 PM.
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 653
From: Potter County, PA
I never had my wheels/tires balanced on my Shovels and Sportster when I had them; the yellow dot by the valve stem and good to go.
My Softail has the factory cast rim 17 x 6.00 with a Dunlop 402 220-55-17 on it and it has nine or ten weights on it in a line! It must have not got the memo about factory cast wheels!!
My Softail has the factory cast rim 17 x 6.00 with a Dunlop 402 220-55-17 on it and it has nine or ten weights on it in a line! It must have not got the memo about factory cast wheels!!
OEM cast wheels and quality tires need little balancing if any. Why so many people think beads rolling around in there is doing something. No weight on my front. Maybe a couple 1/4oz on back. Doubt you could tell it if I took the two 1/4 oz off the back.
They do need to be dynamic checked. Spin balance on modern quality equipment that shows out of balance in two planes. Especially the wider rims on modern bikes.
They do need to be dynamic checked. Spin balance on modern quality equipment that shows out of balance in two planes. Especially the wider rims on modern bikes.
I've been running beads in tires for 10+ years now and its amazing how well they work. I've went over 100mph with 37x13.5in mud tires that were bead balanced and they were as smooth as it gets. Beads work, simple as that.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,871
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From: DeLand, Florida
Mainly because they work. Smoothest my bikes have ever been since I started using them over 5 years ago.
Road Master
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From: northern nj
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From: Bedford UK
It's not unusual for tyres to need no balancing weights these days, as manufacturing techniques get more precise. Ride and see what your bike behaves like. You trusted the shop to replace your tyres, trust them to say if they are balanced!
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 91
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From: Maine
I guess if you havent ran beads you wouldnt understand. And with such a light tire like a skinny motorcycle front its not too surprising you can get away with no weight.
I've been running beads in tires for 10+ years now and its amazing how well they work. I've went over 100mph with 37x13.5in mud tires that were bead balanced and they were as smooth as it gets. Beads work, simple as that.
https://youtu.be/eq263AYgyYg
I've been running beads in tires for 10+ years now and its amazing how well they work. I've went over 100mph with 37x13.5in mud tires that were bead balanced and they were as smooth as it gets. Beads work, simple as that.
https://youtu.be/eq263AYgyYg
