Where to wheel balance weights go?

[Shuey]

Are weights that are affixed to a wheel with tire mounted to balance it go:

- on the outer edge near the rim?

- as close to the center of the wheel as possible?

- or does it make any difference?

Shuey

 

[Larry Fine]

Near the center.

By center, I mean between the rims, not near the hub.

 

[Uncle Phil]

FWIW, the Honda OEM balancing weights are designed (for the ST1100) to clamp onto the center ridge of the rim.

 

[TerryS]

What UP said. No tyre fitter that I've ever used has had the same saddlebag-style weights however. The flat stick-on weights have been placed on the flat surface of the rim (to get a decent surface for the adhesive) as close to the wheel centreline as possible. I'm sure the more pedantic person might split the weights in two and have half either side of the central ridge but I'm not sure it makes any difference.

 

[Shuey]

Thanks all. I've seen pics of the center weights that clip onto the center ridge of the wheel, but only on the OEM wheels that come with the bike.

With the first tire change, all that I've had on my wheels are the peal and stick flat 1/4 oz. weights that will bend to conform to the curvature of the wheel. This seems to be what's readily available.

That's what I needed to know, thanks again.

Shuey

 

[rjs987]

The last tire I changed, about last Thanksgiving, I used Dyna Beads. So I avoided this question entirely. The beads have been working great BTW. If you have your tires replaced at a shop they likely don't use beads so... What these other guys said. As close to the center line as possible.

 

[Skunkape]

Another question. Do you put all the weight opposite of the heavy spot or divide it into thirds and put weight 120 degrees either side of the heavy spot?

When I was younger my father had a Snap On static wheel balancer in his service station. It had a tool for marking the wheel into thirds for placing the weights. I think the theory was not to have two heavy spots opposite of each other and be more evenly balanced.

I have done it both ways and not had a problem either way on MC tires.

Found a pic.

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[Larry Fine]

Another question. Do you put all the weight opposite of the heavy spot or divide it into thirds and put weight 120 degrees either side of the heavy spot?

You put them wherever you need them get balance. Ideally with the least total weight necessary.

Splitting a lighter pair allows for fine-tuning when a single weight is too heavy; the angle varies.

 

[Cincykz]

I use the OEM type that clips on to the ridge, 1300. Have used stick ons too, but they make a mess of the rim. Less is more too, if one weight has an alternate heavy spot, and two makes the weights the heavy spot, I go back to one and call it good enough. A good gravity - spin balancer can be too picky, driving you nuts.

Also, I've found that the heavy spot is usually not the valve. I balance all my wheels bare, mark the heavy spot, and put the tire dot on my calculated rim heavy spot. Rarely need 1/4 ounce, if any weight doing this.

 

[OhioDeere]

In Theory- Stand Back! ----- balancing a wheel, the further away from center of axle you can go- the better and the lighter the weight. The closer to the center of the axle the heavier the weight needed. Its distance x weight. I use the stick on lead. never lost one.

 

[SMSW]

Wheel balance weights come in stick on as well as clip on the rim of the wheel. Ideally, as noted above, putting the weight on the centerline (ridge) of the wheel is best, but most motorcycle wheels are not wide enough that using a rim weight will make that much of a difference. Sure a very sensitive dynamic balancer might detect a difference in balance (clip on rim vs stick on center ridge) but there will be no practical difference. How often have you balanced a wheel perfectly?

 

[core-aggie]

Thanks all. I've seen pics of the center weights that clip onto the center ridge of the wheel, but only on the OEM wheels that come with the bike.

Most our local bike parts places sell them.

 

[ST Gui]

With the first tire change, all that I've had on my wheels are the peal and stick flat 1/4 oz. weights that will bend to conform to the curvature of the wheel.

I dislike the stick on weights especially here in CA with Pb weights not being allowed. They're steel I think and more are needed. They also don't stick well in my experience. Maybe using an alcohol swap might help instead of just wiping down the tire.I don't know if tire shops

I suppose 3M moulding tape could be used. They'd stick but a heat gun might be needed to remove them. Or maybe dental floss.

 

[nicksacco]

Dyna Beads or Ride On is my preference with the beads being number 1 choice. No more balancing and always smooth for the life of the tire.