Balancing wheels ?

[Robert]

I know that most here balance their wheels and the variety of options from beads to sealer to regular good old balancing. But I have heard and seen that a lot do not worry about balancing wheels and have no problems either. Just put on new rubber and I did balance it feels fine but

My question is it really that important on a motorcycle tire? What has been your experience?

[WintrSol]

I guess it depends on the size of the wheel and tire. A narrow wheel and tire, like the 19" on my old CB450 doesn't have to be balanced, unless you're really using the full rpm range in top gear, but with the size of the ones on the Valkyrie, I think an unbalanced wheel would show up at even moderate speeds, like head shake on the front.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Why not get the smoothest ride you can ? It's very easy to balance or use beads.

[old2soon]

In all my years of riding I have NEVER had a wheel tire combination that did not need balancing. The ONLY M/C I didn't bother to balance the wheel tire setup on was my motocross M/C. It's been my observation that the lack of balancing shows up at your most generally operated highway speeds. I progressed from lead weights to dyna beads and now have B Bs for my balancing media. Lets just say with the Phatt Ghurl and the miles and speeds I operate at-I would NOT leave on even a short trip without my wheel tire combination having some vestige of balancing.   DON'T need nor want any surprises at highway speeds or anything approaching or over the ton. RIDE SAFE.

[The emperor has no clothes]

In all my years of riding I have NEVER had a wheel tire combination that did not need balancing. The ONLY M/C I didn't bother to balance the wheel tire setup on was my motocross M/C. It's been my observation that the lack of balancing shows up at your most generally operated highway speeds. I progressed from lead weights to dyna beads and now have B Bs for my balancing media. Lets just say with the Phatt Ghurl and the miles and speeds I operate at-I would NOT leave on even a short trip without my wheel tire combination having some vestige of balancing.   DON'T need nor want any surprises at highway speeds or anything approaching or over the ton. RIDE SAFE.

O2S, are you loading the BB's thru the tire valve or putting them inside when mounting the tire ? Any issues with them ?

[Willow]

... but with the size of the ones on the Valkyrie, I think an unbalanced wheel would show up at even moderate speeds, like head shake on the front.

Maybe even more important than the occasional head shake is that an unbalanced tire on a heavy bike will wear out more quickly and more unevenly.

[wiggydotcom]

For what little time it takes to balance wheels, I do it. I have two 4x4 posts made up with a set of bearings at the top of each post. I place the wheel on the axle and set the axle shaft across the posts/bearings. Find the heavy spot of just the rim itself. This is NOT necessarily at the valve stem location. Then I mount the tire with the light spot...I think it's the yellow mark even with the heavy spot of the rim. I then spin it again to recheck. I also use Dynabeads as a backup but haven't used any wheel weights in years. Never had any vibrations using this method.

[old2soon]

In all my years of riding I have NEVER had a wheel tire combination that did not need balancing. The ONLY M/C I didn't bother to balance the wheel tire setup on was my motocross M/C. It's been my observation that the lack of balancing shows up at your most generally operated highway speeds. I progressed from lead weights to dyna beads and now have B Bs for my balancing media. Lets just say with the Phatt Ghurl and the miles and speeds I operate at-I would NOT leave on even a short trip without my wheel tire combination having some vestige of balancing.   DON'T need nor want any surprises at highway speeds or anything approaching or over the ton. RIDE SAFE.

O2S, are you loading the BB's thru the tire valve or putting them inside when mounting the tire ? Any issues with them ?

B Bs don't fit thru the valve stem. When I back my bike down my driveway I still hear them. IF they were clumped up I wouldn't hear the sound they make. B Bs installed AFTER the first tire bead is on the wheel and BEFORE the 2nd bead is pushed over. My tire mans machine breaks them down and installs them on the vertical verses the horizontal. 3 ounces front and 4 ounces rear. IF and when I g back to dyna beads they will be installed the same way. My tire guy KNOW'S how hard I ride and I can watch him as he mounts my tires. I've already figured out not many of his customers are allowed in the shop area. RIDE SAFE.

[Bighead]

This may be the craziest thread ever why would you Not balance a tire?

[Cracker Jack]

This may be the craziest thread ever why would you Not balance a tire?

It's easier to not do it than it is to do it!!

[Jess Tolbirt]

i spin balance my front tire, remove the calipers and use the edge of my polisher to spin the tire, put on some weights and spin it again untill its smooth as silk,, then install bb's in the rear

[Hook#3287]

This may be the craziest thread ever why would you Not balance a tire?

It's easier to not do it than it is to do it!!

And it's cheap insurance!

[Cracker Jack]

This may be the craziest thread ever why would you Not balance a tire?

It's easier to not do it than it is to do it!!

And it's cheap insurance!

You got that right!!

[Steve K (IA)]

Beads = Smooth ride.   

[Momz]

How much weight in beads (or BBs) do you use per wheel?

[The emperor has no clothes]

How much weight in beads (or BBs) do you use per wheel?

Ive been using the Counteract beads. 2 oz. front, 3 in rear car tire. They work great. I like cleaning the wheels a lot better now. The only drawback for me is checking your pressure. I have to check them at 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock , otherwise a bead will infiltrate the valve. It's kind of a pain on the back of the Interstate. That's mostly why I'm curious about BB's.

[Steve K (IA)]

How much weight in beads (or BBs) do you use per wheel?

Ive been using the Counteract beads. 2 oz. front, 3 in rear car tire. They work great. I like cleaning the wheels a lot better now. The only drawback for me is checking your pressure. I have to check them at 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock , otherwise a bead will infiltrate the valve. It's kind of a pain on the back of the Interstate. That's mostly why I'm curious about BB's.

I use the beads I got from Quackenbush.  I always check the air with the valves down.  I tap on the valve stem a few times with the gauge before checking the pressure...hoping that if there is any beads in the stem they will roll into the tire.  You can always give the tire a short burst of air to make sure the stem is clear of any beads.
This has worked for me for several years.

[The emperor has no clothes]

How much weight in beads (or BBs) do you use per wheel?

Ive been using the Counteract beads. 2 oz. front, 3 in rear car tire. They work great. I like cleaning the wheels a lot better now. The only drawback for me is checking your pressure. I have to check them at 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock , otherwise a bead will infiltrate the valve. It's kind of a pain on the back of the Interstate. That's mostly why I'm curious about BB's.

I use the beads I got from Quackenbush.  I always check the air with the valves down.  I tap on the valve stem a few times with the gauge before checking the pressure...hoping that if there is any beads in the stem they will roll into the tire.  You can always give the tire a short burst of air to make sure the stem is clear of any beads.
This has worked for me for several years.

I will give that a try. I just assumed they were getting sucked in by the air when checking the pressure. 

[..]

I hope that those that don't balance NEVER get a tank slapper.