Wheel balance

[Quattro Pete]

A really newbie type question, but can I take my motorcycle to a typical auto tire shop such as Discount Tire to have a wheel balanced? Or is this something better left to a specialized motorcycle shop?

When I ride, I see the front wheel vibrate quite a bit... I don't feel it too much on the handlebar (maybe the shocks are absorbing most of it), but it is noticeable at some speeds. So I figured maybe the wheel needs balancing.

Where do you guys go to get your motorcycle wheels balanced?

I don't have a motorcycle lift, so I can't really take the wheel off and just walk in with the wheel to a shop, although I realize that would be cheaper.

 

[eljefino]

You can do them yourself, fronts at least, on the service stand. Remove the brake caliper so there's less friction and give 'er a spin. The heavy spot will find its way to the bottom. Put a weight on the top spoke. This is a static balance which works fine on skinny bike tires.

You can sometimes use sticky weights available on ebay but they make special bike weights that crimp/clamp around spokes.

If you're modestly capable, you can usually pull your axle with the wheel (and bearings) and set the axle on some jack stands. Otherwise find some metal rod the same diameter and stick the wheel & bearings on that.

Neither my old bridgestone nor my $45 shinkyo new tire needed any weight at all! I mounted it myself and was impressed by the "rubberiness" and quality of the tire compared to a car one.

 

[VicL]

One local motorcycle shop that I stop at occasionally uses dynabeads exclusively for wheel balancing. This would be an easy DIY if you want to try it.

If you don't want to go the dynabeads route, you can still DIY or take it to the shop. Last set of wheels I wanted some work, I just removed the wheel from the bike and hauled them in by my car. It saved me a bit on the labor costs, I believe I paid about $30 for valve stem replacements and rebalancing on 2 wheels.

Vic

 

[Mackelroy]

I have a mc balancer

I've never gotten a post 100 good balance from a dealer

 

[bigbird_1]

Check out a Marc Parnes balancer:

http://marcparnes.com/

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
You can do them yourself, fronts at least, on the service stand.

Yeah, don't have one of these either. How much does one of them cost and where do I buy one?

 

[Smoky14]

Pete: Remove the wheel, put the axle, or similar, in a vice. Slide the wheel assy on the shaft and let it rotate. Add weight to the high side until rotation stops.
If the wheel bearing seals drag, pop them out until you're done.

 

[47HO]

Pete,
Make sure the front tire is not cupping. This is usually caused by underinflation. If it is cupping, no amount of balancing will correct.

 

[kballowe]

If you can see your front wheel vibrating then it's probably not the balance.

Wire spoke wheels can have loose spokes and this will cause vibration (wheel has runout). Like someone else said - a cupped tire also causes this problem. Loose steering head bearing..... maybe. Cupped tires are most often the culprit though. Be aware that the REAR tire condition can also cause front-end wobble/shake.

I change a lot of motorcycle tires. For years we didn't even balance them and seemed to suffer no ill effects.

 

[Quattro Pete]

How do I tell if its cupped? Visually, it looks fine.

 

[Trav]

I always let the dealer or tire store that specializes in bike tires mount and dynamic balance the wheels, it does make a difference.
Call around and ask if their balancer can do bike wheels, static balance is better than nothing.

Another thing to check is the steering head bearings, I had a wobble on my old early 90’s Fireblade 900 that was caused by slightly loose head bearings. They were old ball type so we changed them to Timken type roller bearings, an unbelievable difference, no more wobble and more precise steering.

 

[kballowe]

Run your hand over it one way and then the other way. A light "feathering" or turning up of the tread is pretty normal.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Thanks guys. Until I buy a motorcycle lift or stand, I won't really be able to do any of this.

 

[Ken2]

You can make your own lift for less than $20. Works well--I've done it. Dyna Beads work well. Do check for any looseness in the wheel bearings and the steering bearings. Bad steering bearings can be dangerous. Standard industrial bearings are usually available and cheaper than dealership bearings, although you might not find standard size seals and have to get seals from the dealer.
http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/bikelift.htm