Tire balancing

[OB_RobBase]

I'm getting a set of Dymags & Michelin Pilot Sport tires which I will mount and put on the Hayabusa at the same time. What I want to know is what should I look for as far as tire balancing? I think there are two methods, static and spin balancing. Is there any difference? I only want the best for my baby and me at 160+.

 

[OB_BrainO]

Rob.... Make sure the tires are mounted in the proper direction,,,,, tip#2 make sure the green dot on the sidewall is aligned with the valve stem on the rim, this is the factory "zero balance" mark. If you can pull the rims yourself and have an air compresser you can mount the tires at home, I like "Go-Jo" hand cleaner as lubricant to install the new rubber on the rims but "Joy" dish soap works fine too. I also prefer to run my new tire's for 100 miles or so before to seat them on the rims before the balanceing them. Chances are it will feel so good and smooth you will not need to pay for someone to balance them. By doing it by hand you will also avoid those "unsightly" scratches that so many minimum wage MC Shop employees carelesly add to your rim's :-) Brian

 

[OB_highpwr]

I've been changing tires for a long time by hand using fairly simple tire tools. Bead breaking will require special procedures. When we are over my friend's shop we put the tire in a large wood working bench vise to do the bead breaking. But my buddy just bought a real mc tire changing machine...

Static balancing on a balance stand has been our standard procedure. If you use a balance stand make sure that you have the large size axles or adapters to fit the Busa's large wheel bearings.

Larry

 

[OB_BrainO]

And allways level the balance machine first

 

[OB_RobBase]

Listening to your tips, BrainO, I almost feel like I could put the tires on myself. Is putting the tires on as easy as taking the old ones off? Once they're on do you just inflate with air and they seat themselves? And finally if I do get them on and seated, can you tell me exactly what static balancing is and would I be able to do it myself or would I need some specialized equipment?

 

[OB_BrainO]

Rob.. once you have the old tires off the rest is "Gravy" as we mechanics say.As far as balance, a static balance is the rim and tire hanging from a pendlum with a level bubble telling you where to hang (excuse the term)the weight. Dynamic ballencers actualy rotate the rim and tire as if they were on the bike at speed. I have never seen or heard of a machine that could duplicate a wheel speed of over 100mph, much less the speeds your MC has the potential of. From my experince, unless you happen across a defective tire you won't require any weights for a smooth ride at a buck 50 plus IMHO :-) Brian

 

[OB_Johnnycheese]

I only satic balance wheels and tires.
Make sure the air pressure in the tire is the same that you are running on the street or track when you balance them.
dont forget to torque the axles

 

[OB_Cisco San Jose]

BrainO,very good tips thanks.

[This message has been edited by Cisco San Jose (edited 02 February 2000).]

 

[OB_valklex]

BrianO: What tools did you use to remove/install the tires and where did you place the wheel while doing so? I can't believe you can just pop the tire in or out of the wheel with your bare hands, unless you won the latest Mr. Universe contest.

[This message has been edited by valklex (edited 02 February 2000).]

 

[OB_BrainO]

valktex, no mr universe here, skilled hands though. I spray the bead area with silicon spray and unseat the bead with a pair of C-Clamp type "Vice Grip's". Once the bead is broken, two large screwdrivers wrapped with rags pull the first bead and the second one just pushes off by hand. I lay my rims on a piece of carpet after pulling the brake rotor that would be facing down. After the first set I did this way, I found I could change a set of tires faster than I could transport them to the local MC Shop. :-) Brian