Harbor Freight / Tire Balancer

[trek2120]

Has anyone tried the motorcycle tire balancer from HF?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=98488

[George]

Must be a new product, haven't seen it before.

[STindy05]

I use the HF tire changer, we all now there stuff is not the best...but the changer gets the job done. I think for balancing tires, I would spend the extra 30 bucks and buy a better quality balancer.

[J. Fitzgerald]

It looks quite similar to the No-Mar balancer I have.....but I agree with STindy05 about the quality. HF isn't known for putting out a product that will stay with you for the long haul. Before I got my No-Mar changer, I made a balancer out of 4x4's - used nails in one end of each 4x4 to hold the axle in place....shimmed under one end of the axle if needed (to level axle). This setup worked great & cost about $5.

John

[trek2120]

Without seeing the HF balancer along side any other balancer, how would I know $30 would buy a better balancer?

I'm in the R/C aircraft hobby, and I use a balancer with a similar design to balance the props for my planes and the rotor assemblies for my helicopters. It works great. I was hoping to find someone who has worked with the HF balancer and another like the Marc Parnes balancer.

Thanks!

[STindy05]

Without seeing the HF balancer along side any other balancer, how would I know $30 would buy a better balancer?

Thanks!

Its a Habor Frieght. JMO.

[trek2120]

"Its a Harbor Freight. JMO."

...that still doesn't answer the question...

[Scooterb]

Looks to me like it would do the job just fine. It's not rocket science. How many times do you really think that you would use it anyway? JMHO.

[fngsdad]

Looks to me like it would do the job just fine. It's not rocket science. How many times do you really think that you would use it anyway? JMHO.

Scooter, my thoughts are like yours. I use the HF tire changer with excellant success. I just can't understand how any one could have a problem. I just saw this thread and ordered the HF balancer, If the thing centers the wheel and sets the supporting shaft on the ball bearing ends, what could go wrong?Not rocket science at all
I have 4 bikes and the tire changer has paid for itself many times over.
Stealers out here are charging as much as 90 bucks for mounting and balance and thats when you carry in your own wheels and tires.

[STindy05]

"Its a Harbor Freight. JMO."

...that still doesn't answer the question...

Buy one and report back to us then....

[ST/SV]

I have a Marc Parnes but if the HF would have been available at the time I sure would have given it a try. Only thing I see, does it have other adapters, like for a Honda?

[Highrider]

Trek
The design looks good- if the bearings are free, it should work as well as anything on the market. I built a similar style, and I know it is 3 - 4 times more sensitive than the Marc Parnes unit that's a lot more money than what you are looking at..

[forgitaboutut]

Must be a new product! I'll until it's on sale!

[Mark]

Must be a new product! I'll until it's on sale!

I'm with you... should be on sale by their day-after-turkey sale...
:)