tire balancing weights

[lurch12_2000]

I usually use the clip ons but ran out. I bought the 7g and 14g peel and stick small square weights instead. Anybody have problems with this type?...such as flying off at 80mph?

 

[glstine]

The shop that changed and balanced my tires used the stick on type, the one on the front has been missing for a while, don't know what happened to it.

 

[Joe Nardy]

I usually use the clip ons but ran out. I bought the 7g and 14g peel and stick small square weights instead. Anybody have problems with this type?...such as flying off at 80mph?

No problems whatsoever. It's been a few years since I've been to a Superbike race but the last time I went they were using stick-on weights so I'm sure they're fine for street use.

Clean the area of the wheel where the stick-on weight will be applied THOROUGHLY. I usually use steel wool or 3M scrubbing pad followed by isopropyl alcohol and a clean cloth. Remove the adhesive backing strip from the weight and apply to the wheel. Do not touch the adhesive surface or attempt to move the weight once it is in place. Press FIRMLY on the weight and be sure to cover the entire surface of the weight. If properly applied it will be difficult to remove the weight next time you do a tire change. The adhesive usually tears in half before the bond between the adhesive and the wheel breaks.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Steve]

Think about it. :-k

If you put it near the center, where is centripital force going to take it?

It's going to jam it harder into the rim.

I see no reason to not use the stick-on weights, but prefer the clip-ons on my GSs and my Wing.
The Wing's rims are polished, I don't want the stick-on weights cluttering the look.

.

 

[lurch12_2000]

Think about it. :-k

If you put it near the center, where is centripital force going to take it?

It's going to jam it harder into the rim.

I see no reason to not use the stick-on weights, but prefer the clip-ons on my GSs and my Wing.
The Wing's rims are polished, I don't want the stick-on weights cluttering the look.

.

Yes, I realize centrifugal force is at work, but the GS rims are slightly canted downward away from the hub at a approx 20? degree angle.
So theoretically, it would not pin it straight against the rim, but potentially throw them outward at high speed if they started to let go from mud, rain, salt (I ride in cold weather too), etc.... But if Joe Nardy has seen them on the race track then I'll try them. And I did pull 2 off with a screwdriver with difficulty on my project GS1100E's rim, to check for myself. Those tires are old and cracked, so they're coming off, if I get it running the way I want first.

 

[Clone]

I have a real problem with those stick on weights not sticking. So I got some more clip on weights from a tire shop.

 

[Steve]

I guess I never really noticed the angle on the rim.

Back when I used to take my wheels up to the tire shop, I would remove the clip-on weights off before going. I have been using this collection of weights since I have been changing my own tires with decent results. Some day I might have to break down and get a few more weights for other bikes that I do, but I will continue to use the clip-on weights whenever possible.

.

 

[Theo]

This is what I use to balance my tires and have had no problems.

http://www.innovativebalancing.com/index.html

Can't offer any advice on your specific question though.

 

[lurch12_2000]

Agreed, I'd rather use the clip ons but used my dwindling supply up on balancing the front wheel. BTW, the '78 rear rim is cast where the center ridge of the rim is not deep enough to take a clip on anyway, after doing some experimenting and temporarily borrowing one from the front rim. Other year's rear rim's seem to take the clip ons OK on bikes I've done. :-k

 

[lurch12_2000]

This is what I use to balance my tires and have had no problems.

http://www.innovativebalancing.com/index.html

Can't offer any advice on your specific question though.

I looked at those, but wasn't sure they would work with a tube. Suppose I could take the valve out and dump them in, but wondered if the softer rubber of the inner tube would be a concern, spinning around at high speeds.

 

[Theo]

I looked at those, but wasn't sure they would work with a tube. Suppose I could take the valve out and dump them in, but wondered if the softer rubber of the inner tube would be a concern, spinning around at high speeds.

I have 5000 miles with them in my tubed tires. Many riders with tubed tires use them with out a problem. If you were using tubeless tires, you could get away with using ceramic bb gun pellets.

 

[81ZUKI75]

Sticky weights...

Sticky weights...

I usually use the clip ons but ran out. I bought the 7g and 14g peel and stick small square weights instead. Anybody have problems with this type?...such as flying off at 80mph?

I've got about 3,500 miles on a set right now using the 1/4 oz Motion Pro stickies. All's good...,:lol:

Uh.... my speedo only goes to 85, so I can't attest to real high speed performance :-$

 

[bwringer]

I've always used stick-on weights on vintage and modern bikes, and I've never, ever lost a single one.

Just make sure the area on the wheel where you're going to put the weights is actually clean -- not just wiped with a greasy rag.

I like to put them on the left, so they're not quite as visible when the bike is on the kickstand.

Also, one of these days I might actually manage to plan ahead enough to spray paint a batch of lead weights silver or black to match the wheels. But I never remember to do this until it's too late.

One last tip -- last night in Harbor Freight, I saw packages of stick-on weights for $1.95. I'm not sure what metal they were made of -- it wasn't lead or steel -- but they were shiny and slightly larger than equivalent lead weights.

 

[almarconi]

I looked at those, but wasn't sure they would work with a tube. Suppose I could take the valve out and dump them in, but wondered if the softer rubber of the inner tube would be a concern, spinning around at high speeds.

I've got the dynobeads installed on my GS which uses tubes. On their website they say tubes are ideal for their product because the tube is a nice smooth surface. They work great. Install the beads and forget about it. No stick on weights no balancing. I would not use anything else to balance a tire anymore. They have been installed for about 4k miles with absolutely no problems.

 

[Joe Nardy]

In regard to Dyna Beads, there was a letter in the February 2010 Motorcycle Consumer News asking about Dyna Beads. MCN's response was that they tested the beads in October 2006. While they didn't reprint the entire review they did offer a summary:

'....we tested them on a Honda 599. Using a shop's spin balancer, we checked the bike's rear wheel, which had 1.6 oz. of balance weights in place. The balancer agreed with the amount and location of the weights. After installing the specified two ounces of beads in the rear tire and removing the rim weights, the balancer found an out of balance condition. This test was repeated five times and the balancer continued to call for the replacement of the 1.6 oz. of rim weights in the same location. Over-the-road testing was next. Without the rim weights, the rear wheel produced noticeable vibration and the installation of the beads gave a barely perceptible improvement. Also, the weight of the beads added so close to the tire tread gave a noticeable increase in gyro stability, making the steering heavier. We also tried them on a car and were disappointed. Bottom line: save your money for a proper spin balance.'

Keep in mind that MCN is entirely subscriber funded, they do not take advertiser's dollars so it is arguably the most unbiased motorcycle magazine available.

Their conclusion seems to make sense. The beads are forced to the outer diameter of the tire by centrifugal force so the speed at which the tire is rotating dictates the distribution of the beads. If the tire is rotating at a fixed speed the beads will be evenly distributed around the tire and theoretically have no effect on the balance of the tire/wheel. The only situation where I could see the beads actually affecting balance would be if there was a defect in the tire and the inner diameter was inconsistent. Beads would be concentrated in the area where the diameter was largest as the larger diameter would cause the centrifugal force to be higher at that point.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Theo]

In regard to Dyna Beads, there was a letter in the February 2010 Motorcycle Consumer News asking about Dyna Beads. MCN's response was that they tested the beads in October 2006. While they didn't reprint the entire review they did offer a summary:

'....we tested them on a Honda 599. Using a shop's spin balancer, we checked the bike's rear wheel, which had 1.6 oz. of balance weights in place. The balancer agreed with the amount and location of the weights. After installing the specified two ounces of beads in the rear tire and removing the rim weights, the balancer found an out of balance condition. This test was repeated five times and the balancer continued to call for the replacement of the 1.6 oz. of rim weights in the same location. Over-the-road testing was next. Without the rim weights, the rear wheel produced noticeable vibration and the installation of the beads gave a barely perceptible improvement. Also, the weight of the beads added so close to the tire tread gave a noticeable increase in gyro stability, making the steering heavier. We also tried them on a car and were disappointed. Bottom line: save your money for a proper spin balance.'

Keep in mind that MCN is entirely subscriber funded, they do not take advertiser's dollars so it is arguably the most unbiased motorcycle magazine available.

Their conclusion seems to make sense. The beads are forced to the outer diameter of the tire by centrifugal force so the speed at which the tire is rotating dictates the distribution of the beads. If the tire is rotating at a fixed speed the beads will be evenly distributed around the tire and theoretically have no effect on the balance of the tire/wheel. The only situation where I could see the beads actually affecting balance would be if there was a defect in the tire and the inner diameter was inconsistent. Beads would be concentrated in the area where the diameter was largest as the larger diameter would cause the centrifugal force to be higher at that point.

Thanks,
Joe

Well that may all be well and true, but one thing bothers me about that test. On their website and everywhere you look, they have a big disclaimer "Not for car tires". Why would they even bother testing this. Excerpted from their site:

We don't market to cars, SUV's or minivans due to the overall style of those tires, which are low and wide. This style of tire commonly exhibits varying degrees of lateral imbalance due primarily to the width. This type of inbalance can only be corrected with carefully placed wheel weights. So that means that while Dyna Beads should not be used as the sole balancing method for these tire types, they can be used as a supplemental method.
Using a combination of weights and Dyna Beads results in higher tire mileage and a reduction, or elimination, of future rebalancing requiements.

But back to motorcycle tires. Like I said before, I have had them installed for 5000 miles and have not noticed any of the effects they mentioned. No vibrations, and no sluggish steering. Also, maybe if the tire was truly round and balanced, then yes, when spinning at speed the beads would be evenly distributed. Otherwise in an out of balance tire, the beads would be doing their thing. Anyways, I don't want this to turn into an oil thread so that's all I have to say.

 

[Joe Nardy]

Also, maybe if the tire was truly round and balanced, then yes, when spinning at speed the beads would be evenly distributed. Otherwise in an out of balance tire, the beads would be doing their thing. Anyways, I don't want this to turn into an oil thread so that's all I have to say.

I don't want it to turn into an oil thread either but I'd like to be able to understand the science behind the beads.

I think the question here is: What determines the distribution of the beads?

A. Speed of rotation
B. Roundness of tire (diameter)
C. Weight distribution of wheel/tire (balance)

I would think A and B. However, I m not a physicist so I'd appreciate input from others with more knowledge.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Nessism]

In regard to Dyna Beads, there was a letter in the February 2010 Motorcycle Consumer News asking about Dyna Beads. MCN's response was that they tested the beads in October 2006. While they didn't reprint the entire review they did offer a summary:

'....we tested them on a Honda 599. Using a shop's spin balancer, we checked the bike's rear wheel, which had 1.6 oz. of balance weights in place. The balancer agreed with the amount and location of the weights. After installing the specified two ounces of beads in the rear tire and removing the rim weights, the balancer found an out of balance condition. This test was repeated five times and the balancer continued to call for the replacement of the 1.6 oz. of rim weights in the same location. Over-the-road testing was next. Without the rim weights, the rear wheel produced noticeable vibration and the installation of the beads gave a barely perceptible improvement. Also, the weight of the beads added so close to the tire tread gave a noticeable increase in gyro stability, making the steering heavier. We also tried them on a car and were disappointed. Bottom line: save your money for a proper spin balance.'

Keep in mind that MCN is entirely subscriber funded, they do not take advertiser's dollars so it is arguably the most unbiased motorcycle magazine available.

Their conclusion seems to make sense. The beads are forced to the outer diameter of the tire by centrifugal force so the speed at which the tire is rotating dictates the distribution of the beads. If the tire is rotating at a fixed speed the beads will be evenly distributed around the tire and theoretically have no effect on the balance of the tire/wheel. The only situation where I could see the beads actually affecting balance would be if there was a defect in the tire and the inner diameter was inconsistent. Beads would be concentrated in the area where the diameter was largest as the larger diameter would cause the centrifugal force to be higher at that point.

Thanks,
Joe

Interesting read Joe. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Theo]

I don't want it to turn into an oil thread either but I'd like to be able to understand the science behind the beads.

I think the question here is: What determines the distribution of the beads?

A. Speed of rotation
B. Roundness of tire (diameter)
C. Weight distribution of wheel/tire (balance)

I would think A and B. However, I m not a physicist so I'd appreciate input from others with more knowledge.

Thanks,
Joe

I'm no physicist either so I can't really offer anything intelligent. The best I can do is give link to the dyna bead site explaining how it works.
http://www.innovativebalancing.com/HowItWorks.htm. To me from that link, it seems like it's more of A and C that have an affect on the balance of the tire.

 

[Nessism]

I'm no physicist either so I can't really offer anything intelligent. The best I can do is give link to the dyna bead site explaining how it works.
http://www.innovativebalancing.com/HowItWorks.htm. To me from that link, it seems like it's more of A and C that have an affect on the balance of the tire.

According to this link the beads move in the direction of motion which makes sense, however I don't see how they can move fast enough to counteract the vibration in real time. I'll stick with cheap and effective balance weights.