Wheel weights question.

[Tropic traveler]

There are some pinch style wheel weights on the center part of the wheels.
My question is are those to balance the wheel sans tire, never to be taken off? I am going to be mounting my own tires from now on & using Dyna-beads or some other method of balance other than the wheel weight method. I have noticed that in the past when a shop changed my tires they used the stick-on weights & never touched the clamp on weights on the center rib of the Valk rims.
Should I remove them or leave them alone??

[Bobbo]

They can be used to balance the wheel alone, but usually they balance the wheel and tire.  I always remove them when balancing the wheel and tire.  Your shop may have just overlooked them when balancing your new tire.

[GOOSE]

Tropic traveler.........they didn't take them off because the bulk of them are just lazy SOB'S.....if you are going to be mounting your own tires from here on out, take all the weights off...both the stick-on and the clamp on type.  mount the tire, put in the recommended amount of dyna-beads, and go enjoy your ride.

[Thunderbolt]

start from scratch each time.  I still use them, and bought some extra's.  I use stick on's if necessary.  I know someone who used car one sided weights, he said they worked fine.  Put metal stems in while you are at it.  Patchboy.com has some 90 degree stems that work great, so you don't have to worry about OEM leaks or those little plastic keepers that keep the stem from failing due to centrifugal force.  I have a couple extra if you need them.

[9Ball]

try not to damage them....they are something like $8 each from Honda.

[Westsider]

i have always had clean rims, mount the tire with the light spot mark at the valve stem and never had a problem,,i am giving dyna beads a whirl to see if i can get a little more milage on them...
oh ya,,, dont forget to the steel stems like thunderbolt mentions

[hubcapsc]

I take all the pinch weights off before balancing a new tire.

I've asked the service guys at a couple of motorcycle places and they
each gave me a handful of used ones that were scattered around near their
tire machines... now I have a good enough selection to always get the job
done...

-Mike

[vanagon40]

Yes, pull the weights off.

Unless you are attempting to balance the tire with weights, you have no idea whether the old weights are helping or hurting.  Pull the weights and give them to friend, sell them in the classified, or sell them on ebay.  The weights are actually worth something, so you can recoup some of the BEAD cost.

Or send them to me with an invoice for shipping.

Good luck.

[Tropic traveler]

Thanks guys, they are off & in the stash. There were 2 of them right around the valve stem. Came off with no damage. 
Nice clean wheel with a new metal valve stem & 3 ounces of Dynabeads! This will be my first experience with Dynabeads so I am anxious to feel how it rides.
Wheel now has the new bearings, dampers, & rotor back on ready to install.

 

[PAVALKER]

Dyna Beads work for balancing.... but with those bent valve stems, the damn beads seem to get caught in the core when checking tire pressure.... and let the air out.  They say you should shoot a short blast of air into the tire before checking the pressure..... to clear the stem/core of beads... fine if you can.  Not sure if the so called "filtered" valve cores work on the bent stems.....   

[9Ball]

Thanks guys, they are off & in the stash. There were 2 of them right around the valve stem. Came off with no damage. 
Nice clean wheel with a new metal valve stem & 3 ounces of Dynabeads! This will be my first experience with Dynabeads so I am anxious to feel how it rides.
Wheel now has the new bearings, dampers, & rotor back on ready to install.

 

If it's not too late I sure would like to have your old weights if they are undamaged...willing to pay postage and handling (retrieval from the shop trash!!).

[Fudd]

Dyna Beads work for balancing.... but with those bent valve stems, the damn beads seem to get caught in the core when checking tire pressure.... and let the air out.  They say you should shoot a short blast of air into the tire before checking the pressure..... to clear the stem/core of beads... fine if you can.  Not sure if the so called "filtered" valve cores work on the bent stems.....   

Isn't that a PITA.  That's why I use Ride-on instead.  Perfectly ballanced wheel, and tread leak protection too.

[fudgie]

What are wheel weights? Took mine off.