Balancing act?

[GWS]

The beast needs a new front tire, so I bought one and took the front wheel off. Then I call around to two local motorcycle shops - both Honda dealers - who said they don't mount tires they don't sell. I was a little put out, then I was a little ashamed. I've been mounting tires on farm machinery for 40 years (that was hard to write - my God, where does the time go!!!). So I ordered a small set of spoons and I'll be good to go.

My question is about balancing. I've searched the forum and most people have good things to say about Ride On gel that seals the tire and balances the wheel, but it's expensive. I could buy an old style bubble balancer from Amazon or Harbor Freight for less than it costs to use Ride On on two tires.

Any recent opinions on either how well Ride On works, or how well these (I'm assuming) Chinese-made balancers work?
Thanks for any input.
George

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Well, I've used Ride-On in several bikes with no issues at speed. Never did test the flat prevention capabilities, thankfully. And yes; they're pretty proud of the stuff.

Most MC balancers basically just add weight to the light spot. You could use one of the "truing stands" for it, but if you can figure out a way to set your front axle up in some V-blocks, you could use it to do the same thing. The theory is to spin the tire lightly and mark the tire at the bottom when it stops. Do it again. If it stops in the same place, that's the heavy spot. Tape a small weight at the top, opposite of the presumed heavy spot. Spin it again and monitor the results. Essentially, once the wheel stops at random places each time it's spun, it is presumed to have no heavy spot anymore.

I have historically done my tires by hand. The older I get, the less I enjoy it. I'm sure there's a small shop near you that would do it w/no problem. While they all would probably prefer to make some profit on the tire by selling you one, the quick labor is where the money is at for them. Having it mounted and balanced in ten minutes time without breaking a sweat beats the heck out of manually breaking the beads and potentially scratching your wheel with metal spoons. I still did it manually on my V Strom to stay in practice, but the black wheels are scratched enough from light trail riding that I didn't care about a few marks from my tire irons. Nothing a little color from a Sharpie couldn't fix 

[Gondul#408]

You can look into balance beads... some people even use Airsoft pellets to balance the tire, 2oz for the front tire 3oz for the rear

[John Schmidt]

Ask any shop what they think of Ride On, ain't pretty.  Just get some balance beads from O'Reilly's or other auto parts store and install per the suggested amounts. I haven't used weights in at least 15 yrs.

[98valk]

there are many sealants out there for years, ride on is not the first.

I use this one https://quadboss.com/tire-sealant

just remember all these sealants dry out inside the tire in four years.
so add some more before that time.

[Bagger John - #3785]

If I'm remembering correctly there was a thread or two on here about wheel balancing tools. I ended up with one (http://www.marcparnes.com/Universal_Motorcycle_Wheel_Balancer.htm) last year that has a pair of ball-bearing spindle adapters that were specifically designed for our bikes. It positions the wheel between jack stands and offers a very low-friction rotational regime.

Balancing my Tourer's front wheel was about 10min total, including setup.

As far as the shop mentioned in the OP: I'd be finding somewhere else to take my business. The motorcycle firms around my area have zero problems de-mounting, mounting and balancing ANYTHING I walk in the door with, which is why I keep bringing tires and wheels to them for service. All I need to buy at this point is a tire-changing setup to be able to completely DIY, but I don't mind keeping the good brick-and-mortar guys in business.

[..]

BB's/

3 oz for a car tire rear.

2 oz for a bike tire front.

[h13man]

Ask any shop what they think of Ride On, ain't pretty.  Just get some balance beads from O'Reilly's or other auto parts store and install per the suggested amounts. I haven't used weights in at least 15 yrs.

[vanagon40]

I did a static balance on my last four tire changes. I used a couple of 2x4s on two saw horses. I used the original axle (and maybe a couple of wood screws to keep the axle from rolling). If your tire does not spin easily on the axle, you might need new wheel bearings (I found a VERY GENTLE shove will produce multiple rotations). I alternated spinning the tire clockwise and counterclockwise; experimenting with the weights on the light side. I bought chrome stick-on weights online somewhere (maybe ebay). Attached them with painters tape until satisfied the weight was correct. Took at most 15 to 20 minutes, which for me is quicker than driving to a shop. Never had a problem once the tire was mounted.


My homemade changer--an old rim with split tubing.

[Hook#3287]

I did a static balance on my last four tire changes. I used a couple of 2x4s on two saw horses. I used the original axle (and maybe a couple of wood screws to keep the axle from rolling). If your tire does not spin easily on the axle, you might need new wheel bearings (I found a VERY GENTLE shove will produce multiple rotations). I alternated spinning the tire clockwise and counterclockwise; experimenting with the weights on the light side. I bought chrome stick-on weights online somewhere (maybe ebay). Attached them with painters tape until satisfied the weight was correct. Took at most 15 to 20 minutes, which for me is quicker than driving to a shop. Never had a problem once the tire was mounted.


My homemade changer--an old rim with split tubing.

Exactly, I use two 5 gal buckets and a couple of wood blocks that hold the axle in place.  Wax marker and spin the tire just enough to make a full rotation.  Do that 3 times or so and mark the tire at the top.  If it's out of balance, it will stop in the same place each time.  I use the .5 oz little metal squares with the stick tape, putting one on at the top wax mark, repeat until the tire stops at three different locations.

I've probably done close to 50-60 tires with no issues.

I was thinking, with the bike front end lifted and the brake pads removed, you could just install the tire in the forks and use them.

Gonna try that next front wheel I replace.

[luftkoph]

http://marcparnes.com/

I've had one of these for probably 15 years really well made

[The emperor has no clothes]

I used the axle between a couple of plastic chairs for years. It's easy, cheap, and it works well. I just didn't like the looks of the weights. Went to Ride On. It worked well, but after the next tire exchange I found it only covered maybe an inch and a half of the very center of the tire. Any nails or screws that weren't right in the center weren't going to be covered. Too expensive for just a little coverage. I've been using beads for some time now. I like them. Just make sure you are near an air compressor when you check tire pressures. Once one bead got stuck and needed air to unjam it.

[GWS]

Thanks to everyone for your input. I learned a lot today. It's always great to get such a variety of opinions. I had never heard of balancing beads. I'm leaning in that direction. I'll remember to check air pressure when the valve is close to 12 o'clock to avoid getting a bead stuck. Still, I'm eager to try balancing a few wheels with my own homemade balancer.
You guys saved me some money today. Thanks again.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thanks to everyone for your input. I learned a lot today. It's always great to get such a variety of opinions. I had never heard of balancing beads. I'm leaning in that direction. I'll remember to check air pressure when the valve is close to 12 o'clock to avoid getting a bead stuck. Still, I'm eager to try balancing a few wheels with my own homemade balancer.
You guys saved me some money today. Thanks again.

Its almost impossible to check the pressure at 12 o'clock. On the rear with bags I'm limited from about 5 o'clock to 9. Even so, I don't think that matters much. It's only happened once in about 8 years now. But just takes one little bead to get up in there. Not an issue if you've got air nearby. Big issue if you are at a hotel in San Francisco half a mile away from a gas station. 

[BigSherm]

Why not give it a ride first with no balancing?
There's always a chance it won't need anything.

Sherm

[Speedy Coop]

I took all the weights off on two Valkyries to polish the wheels and left them off, no issues on either one, No balancing on my Concours 14 for the last few tire changes, smooth riding and no abnormal wear. 

[GWS]

Thanks Speedy & Sherm. I can't argue with that logic. I still need to spin it on a homemade rig I set up last night, though, just to satisfy my curiosity. When I get the new tire mounted it's going to have a chrome, L-shaped valve stem to replace the little plastic OEM valve. If it always stops spinning with the new, heavier valve stem on the bottom (why wouldn't it?) I'll address it then. Otherwise I'll replace the wheel commando-style and take it for a spin. I can add BBs or beads later if it feels/looks like it isn't balanced.

Regarding Meathead's comment, I'm going to get a 12 volt compressor and tire patch kit for the bags. Last year was my first time back on a bike in 30 years and I didn't wander too far, but I'd like to get out more this year.
Can anyone recommend a small, dependable compressor?

Thanks again.
George

[The emperor has no clothes]

I took all the weights off on two Valkyries to polish the wheels and left them off, no issues on either one, No balancing on my Concours 14 for the last few tire changes, smooth riding and no abnormal wear. 

I've been running the metal valve stems for a long time. In all of the balancing I've done that was never the heavy spot. (Or light spot) There are painted dots on tires that are supposed to represent the heavy spot of the tire. When I first started mounting my own tires I would make sure this was opposite the valve stem. I don't know if it makes much difference.

[da prez]

I finally settled on the slime compressor. Small and powerful enough for the bike. Check cord length and plug in. I have a lighter socket with battery clips just in case someone needing it has no plug in.

                 da prez

[98valk]

 
[/quote]I've been running the metal valve stems for a long time. In all of the balancing I've done that was never the heavy spot. (Or light spot) There are painted dots on tires that are supposed to represent the heavy spot of the tire. When I first started mounting my own tires I would make sure this was opposite the valve stem. I don't know if it makes much difference.
[/quote]

as others things, u are doing it incorrectly

https://www.drivingline.com/articles/what-are-those-yellow-dots-on-my-tires/

The yellow dot indicates where the manufacturer has identified the lightest spot on the tire. This helps the balance technician get a leg-up on the process by matching that spot to the heaviest spot on the rim—which is almost always where the valve stem is mounted. By aligning the valve stem and the yellow dot, a wheel has a better chance of being more easily balanced.

[MarkT]

I didn't read the whole thread so I don't know if this was posted:

You can use the ATV Ride-On instead of the bike stuff.  I've been doing that for many years.  I don't care WHAT they claim.  It balances the same and blocks leaks the same.  It's marketing - they can get dummy bikers to pay those high rates but a kid with his ATV baloon tires can't and won't.  On ebay the ATV stuff costs about $21 for a QT.  The bike stuff they charge about $16 for 8 oz, last time I looked.  That's $0.66 / OZ for the ATV stuff against $2 / OZ for the bike stuff.  ONE THIRD the cost.  I buy a gallon and I am good for YEARS.  Including other vehicles like trailers.  And no, it doesn't expire on the shelf - also unlike another of their bogus claims.