Gotta love dealerships (How do I balance my tire?)

Well I'm kind of pissed.

Got a new tire for the back of my VFR and took it to the Honda dealer to get installed on the rim. I took the rim with me so all they had to do was pop the old tire off and put the new one back on. No big deal...

So they ask me if I bought the tire from them. I said no so the price went up (doubled actually). Whatever.... So I leave it with them and come back to pick it up. They tell me they got the tire on but they can't balance it because it's from a VFR.

So I asked them why they couldn't have told me this before
No answer...
So I asked them what I was supposed to do
They give me some line about how I'd have to find a place that has a machine that will work for the VFR
So I told them that thay had to to better than that. After all, this IS a Honda dealership
Then they tell my to try taking it to a Toyota shop because Toyotas use 4 lug rims....

Are you frigging SERIOUS???

So now I've got a new tire on my rim and can't find anyone to balance.

Anyone have any ideas on what to do or have instructions on how to balance myself?

What a friggin joke....

 

dont sweat it

I have had the same problem in the past and found some one with the pride and tooling to do it correctly. Before that I was boned and would just mount the rear and run it, never had any issues with rear wheel not being balanced. Just go on the hunt for better place to go in the future.:biggrin:

 

I sure hope you didn't pay for the mount and balance which you did not receive...

Maybe somebody near you has a balancer and can help, but that of course would require knowing where you are...

 

I'm surprised that a Honda dealership would have a problem balancing a VFR wheel! I've had tires mounted at both a Honda shop and a small motorcycle shop near me, and it hasn't been an issue.

Does this Honda dealership opt to not sell VFR's? I mean... they wouldn't sell a bike that they couldn't service, right?? :crazy:

 

I think Honda US should know about one of their dealers not being able to service a Honda. I would imagine that there are some requirements that they need to meet to maintain their "Honda" dealer status.

 

hi...
what ? In hi-tech USA a Honda Dealer can not balance a VFR wheel ?
Here, in the deep southern Italy, the same tire shop balances the tires of my car and the tires of my VFR. Just few minutes....
They use a computerized equipment with a wide range of adaptors for every kind of wheels/tires. Believe me, that dealer is a butcher or an incompetent..
Lamps to everybody !
Carmine

 

I experienced that same thing and pretty much reacted the same way initially. No big deal though, bought this and now I just do it myself:

Honda Motorcycle Wheel Balancer

I also would consider those balance beads that have become pretty popular.

 

Incredibly, I contacted three Northern Calif Honda dealers and none of them could balance my rear (this was a couple years ago). All the same story, don't have the adaptor for a 4 lug hubless wheel. Just comes down to the VFR not being a big seller I suppose, everything is CBR.

 

You have 2 options:

1) Buy one of the Marc Parnes type balancers with the VFR kit. These things are available relatively cheaply.

Honda Motorcycle Wheel Balancer

or this one with a VFR adapter

Precision Metal Fab Wheel Balancing Stand - DennisKirk.com


2) Buy this el-cheapo adapter from Harbor Freight, ask your stealership what size shaft is on their balancing machine, take the adapter to any machine shop & have the adapter bored out to that size shaft. This option should cost you no more than the $8 for the adapter & $20 for the machining. I did this route & have my neighbor mount & balance my tires. He has a Snap On model EEWB308B machine.

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices


KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

I use a Marc Parnes outfit, and do it myself. Bubble balancers will work. Maybe try Dynabeads?
Most of the time you would not be able to tell if you didn't hang weight one on your tires.
My best buddy does not balance his, any only once did he have uneven wear ( flat spots, along the center ) in all the years we have been riding together. Don't sweat it.

I believe that the best thing you can do is balance your rim and stem, and never pull those weights.

Mac

Pilot Powers Rule!

 

My Harbor Freight store said these were on closeout/clearance so I snagged one. They may be discontinuing them? Haven't tried it yet so don't know how well it fits the wheel.

 

The one I bought fits the wheel like the proverbial glove. Maneuvering the adapter into the wheel requires some effort.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

I've got the 8 spoke and it's been powder coated. I should probably pull it off and check the fit before tire changing time rolls around.