But will I die? (static vs dynamic balancing your tires) | GTAMotorcycle.com

But will I die? (static vs dynamic balancing your tires)

adri

adri

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Hey all, I got a FREE, NEW set of rims sent to me to review. Sweet! As part of the review, I want to do the whole sha-bang ma-self (valve, tire mount, balance, install).

So I'll be picking up a static balancing / manual tire balancer instead of taking it to a shop, because I want to show people any idiot can do this. However, being the test idiot, I need your help lol. Also, it's a 12" Vespa wheel and many tire balancers aren't made for these little things. Keep in mind the bike will still go 125 km/hr.

I'm assuming, on this rim, because a Vespa basically has a single sided front tire mount (no forks, see pic), if I'm static balancing the Vespa wheels/tires, Q1: I should put my wheel weights right in the center of the rim, not off to one side or another?

And yes, the title was just to draw some eyes, but it made me think, for my other (faster) motorcycles:
Q2: Under what conditions/speeds would you rather bring your tires in to a shop for dynamic balancing rather than static balancing them yourself?

Trying to learn so I can share with others. Thanks!
 

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Thanks man! Hoping to see you in the spring btw! Got too busy this fall sorry.

Would you recommend taking my 100/90-19 GS650 to the shop, but for the 12" scooter tires I'm okay?
 
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Looking forward to the review...been on the lookout for new motorcycle wheels for when I change tires by next season or so.
 
I have only ever balanced wheels by sticking the axle through the bearings and then taping weights on trial-and-error (masking tape first) until there was no identifiable heavy spot. If it requires multiple weights, put some of them on one side and some on the other (or you can put them in the middle, if the design of the wheel allows it ... a lot of them have a ridge there).

The racetrack service people do the same for at-track tire changes. No fancy balancing machine needed.

Never been an issue, even at Mosport.
 
adri said:
Thanks man! Hoping to see you in the spring btw! Got too busy this fall sorry.

Would you recommend taking my 100/90-19 GS650 to the shop, but for the 12" scooter tires I'm okay?
Click to expand...
A skinny 19" will be fine statically.
 
adri said:
Thanks man! Hoping to see you in the spring btw! Got too busy this fall sorry.

Would you recommend taking my 100/90-19 GS650 to the shop, but for the 12" scooter tires I'm okay?
Click to expand...
FWIW I have changed lots of bike tires but I failed 1 out 2 changes on the small tires off my trailer. Smaller wheels can be harder.....
 
Brian P said:
Plenty of videos online of people changing tractor-trailer tires with hand tools.
Click to expand...
A long time ago I worked for a bus company, the mechanics would put the wheel assembly in a cage, pump in some acetylene and light it with a welder's torch to get the tire to bead up on the rim. Dangerous stuff.
 
TK4 said:
Never try to replace a wheelbarrow tire, just buy a new assembly. You'll thank me for it later.
Click to expand...

Yes, a pain. You can make it less painful by running a long bolt up through your worktable and then a large washer and nut to hold the wheel secure. Do this on the corner of a workbench and then you have good access to beads.
 
Brian P said:
I have only ever balanced wheels by sticking the axle through the bearings and then taping weights on trial-and-error (masking tape first) until there was no identifiable heavy spot. If it requires multiple weights, put some of them on one side and some on the other (or you can put them in the middle, if the design of the wheel allows it ... a lot of them have a ridge there).

The racetrack service people do the same for at-track tire changes. No fancy balancing machine needed.

Never been an issue, even at Mosport.
Click to expand...

Glad to hear this!

Thanks everyone for your input. Went for a little ride and bought a pair of valves. Psyched to get started tomorrow!
 
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In the original poster's particular situation, I just spotted something that rules out the axle-thru-the-bearings, no-tools balancing method: Single-sided swing-arm wheel. (It's more like an automotive wheel.)

It can still be done by that method, but you need something to hang onto the wheel in a way that properly centers and aligns it on a shaft between bearings.
 
nothing to add but that those are some sweet scooter wheels.
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