Recommend a GOOD wheel truing and balancing stand

[enginesludge]

I know wheels can be balanced on the bike, but I also plan to lace two wheels. I just purchased a harbor freight wheel balancing stand and it was a total POS. The bearings are too rough to spin free and give a true heavy spot. The mounting shaft is bent! And the cones that hold the wheel have excessive play on the shaft. It is surprising how bad this is in all respects. POS is an understatement.

Can someone recommend a reasonable price home shop stand. The HF was $50, double or triple would be fine. I also see a portable version that would be fine, IF it is good.  I could even attach a portable unit to a HF stand. What I expect are smooth bearings. A rod that will roll smooth on the table and two cones fit snug on the shaft.

After the purchase from HF yesterday, I found a you tube video on the HF stand. Exact same problems. What I cannot find with a Google search is a review where various makers products are compared.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I use balancing beads now, but I used to just use the axle thru the wheel set between two plastic chairs . Worked just fine. Just have the axle cleaned up with a light coat of fresh grease.

[old2soon]

Fabricate one yourself? RIDE SAFE.

[enginesludge]

I plan to lace wire wheels and a stand would be very nice. Both jobs can be done with the wheel & axle on the bike. Certainly the balancing.  I did not think to mount the axle on the bench.

I like the way you think. But, for $50 that HF unit would have been so convenient. How much more could it cost to manufacture one with good bearings, a ground or machined rod (not random stock) and two properly machined cones.

AS I look at ebay there is a portable unit. I wonder if that has the quality. And could those parts could be used on the HF unit. Basically for $30 you get 4 bearings, a rod and two cones. All the parts out of spec on the HF unit. Or is it all just more chinese junk?

[old2soon]

Lets just say I recently purchased some Timken roller bearings for my trailer. On the bearings in addition to the name Timken was a made in china dealy on it.  Way back when when Dad and I rebuilt stuff we purchased Timken bearings. At that time they had Made in The U S of A on them. Yuse pays yer moneys and yuse take yer chances.  Good luck with your wheel truing and lacing. My motocross M/C in Japan had wire wheels. BUT I had access to a wide variety of machine shop services provided by the U S Navy. And you would be surprised what a good bottle of hooch or a case of beer would get ya!  RIDE SAFE.

[six2go #152]

Not sure if this is what you are after or if it will satisfy your criteria, but I have purchased a lot of things from Aerostich and never gotten any low quality merchandise.

http://www.aerostich.com/tools/maintenance-repairs/bikestands/wheel-balancer.html

[enginesludge]

So that is a complete stand for $100.  Just my speed price wise. No mfg name, no rating. Just trust the vendor.  Then if we knew the name it might be available on Amazon for way less.

On amazon is this:

http://www.amazon.com/SMI-Motorcycle-Wheel-Balancer/dp/B0040HE8OS/ref=lh_di_t_dup?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A5N0K8L11DVJK

A $25 portable unit that seems to be made up from the same components as the $100 Aerostitch. After some thought portable might have some advantages. I still have to setup my own indicator or pointer. IN fact I see what 'might' be the same balancer for 1/2 the money. Also no name given. What gives no brand names? Very suspicious.

here is the Amazon unit, list price $100, you pay $50.

http://www.amazon.com/Venom-Motorcycle-Balancer-Balancing-Portable/dp/B0077T241A/ref=sr_1_4?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1412463418&sr=1-4&keywords=motorcycle+wheel+balancer

Edit: Got to be the same both give you the same starter assortment of weights. Oh, this particular Amazon seller did make up a name: Venom. FWIW.

[enginesludge]

I went with this one, $88 Amazon. All I had to go on was appearance, some good reviews and one of the reviews specifically mentioned returning a HF unit and being satisfied with this one.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0068FUWGI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3TGC5XRRCX4P2

wish me luck.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I went with this one, $88 Amazon. All I had to go on was appearance, some good reviews and one of the reviews specifically mentioned returning a HF unit and being satisfied with this one.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0068FUWGI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3TGC5XRRCX4P2

wish me luck.

That one looks pretty good to me