Favorite Tire Balancer?
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Hey Mark1305,
So you getting into changing tires or just upgrading your wheel balancer? I have been using the web site
http://www.clarity.net/~adam/tire-changing-doc.html
There are a lot of great tips on making jigs for breaking the bead and balacing the tire. You can also check the www.webbikeworld.com site and check the review of Rod Neffs balancer. But, if you are el cheapo like me, you can go the old fashioned route!
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So you getting into changing tires or just upgrading your wheel balancer? I have been using the web site
http://www.clarity.net/~adam/tire-changing-doc.html
There are a lot of great tips on making jigs for breaking the bead and balacing the tire. You can also check the www.webbikeworld.com site and check the review of Rod Neffs balancer. But, if you are el cheapo like me, you can go the old fashioned route!
G
Guest
·Boy, you really ARE cheap! LOL ;D
In answer to lilducbuddy, Yeah - I'm afraid I'm getting into changing tires. Between putting together a track wheel for the Duc, tires for the YSR, and eventually tires for the daughter's dirt bike that seven wheel's to keep good rubber on. With three tires sitting outside to be mounted right now, it's time to collect the necessary toys, er tools.
Balancer designs are pretty straightforward, so I may end up fabricating something if decent bearings aren't too expensive. If the bearings cost a lot, then it's cost effective to buy something like Rod Neff's mini-balancer. I like the mini because it doesn't need a lot of storage space and is just as accurate if set up well. I'll probably price some bearings at the local supply house tomorrow.
Balancer designs are pretty straightforward, so I may end up fabricating something if decent bearings aren't too expensive. If the bearings cost a lot, then it's cost effective to buy something like Rod Neff's mini-balancer. I like the mini because it doesn't need a lot of storage space and is just as accurate if set up well. I'll probably price some bearings at the local supply house tomorrow.
G
Guest
·The Handy balancer works great.
G
Guest
·huh, since when are dirty old stock wheels prestigious?
Thanks to all for the inputs and the links to different sites. Lot of helpful tips and gadgets in those sites.
Found some Master brand tire lube. That stuff is definitely better to work with than liquid dish soap.
Rim protectors cut from an empty shampoo bottle.
Mini Vicegrip clamped to the edge of the rim to keep one end of the bead in place while levering the other side over.
Avon 180/55 mounted with only two swear words ;D
Getting the beads to seat was a challenge - it would catch air no problem, but one area refused to pop out. For a while.
Now the balancer: Picked up a straight (not all of the ones in the bin were
) 5/8 X 12" bolt as a substitute axle and a pair of SKF EE5TN9 open race ball bearings. Set everything up so the wheel rolled on the bolt which was through the bearings which sat on two chair backs. Worked like a charm. Sensitive to 3 grams or less as tested by putting that much on different spots after getting the wheel balanced. The beauty is that the balancer will fit in a drawer when not in use - important since the shop is out of floor and wall space.
A future improvement to the balancer will be to fashion two pillow blocks for the bearings to rest squarely in and maybe a take-apart stand to replace the chair backs.
Found some Master brand tire lube. That stuff is definitely better to work with than liquid dish soap.
Rim protectors cut from an empty shampoo bottle.
Mini Vicegrip clamped to the edge of the rim to keep one end of the bead in place while levering the other side over.
Avon 180/55 mounted with only two swear words ;D
Getting the beads to seat was a challenge - it would catch air no problem, but one area refused to pop out. For a while.
Now the balancer: Picked up a straight (not all of the ones in the bin were
) 5/8 X 12" bolt as a substitute axle and a pair of SKF EE5TN9 open race ball bearings. Set everything up so the wheel rolled on the bolt which was through the bearings which sat on two chair backs. Worked like a charm. Sensitive to 3 grams or less as tested by putting that much on different spots after getting the wheel balanced. The beauty is that the balancer will fit in a drawer when not in use - important since the shop is out of floor and wall space.A future improvement to the balancer will be to fashion two pillow blocks for the bearings to rest squarely in and maybe a take-apart stand to replace the chair backs.
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383 Posts
I just put the wheel on the axle in the fork or swingarm and spin it (caliper off, chain off). Works fine and doesn't take up any room.
-Don
-Don
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