Wacky Wheel Weights...

...so I could just be nuts here, but in the entire time I've owned my bike ive never seen anybody add wheel weights to the single side (fancy side) of my rear wheel when getting a new tire put on. I take my wheels (off the bike) to a reputable and large motorcycle dealer in my area these days because they are actually the most affordable. This particular time, not only did they run out of black weights apparently, but they put a string of Grey weights on the show side of my rear wheel. First time ever. So my question is...is rubber variance that much that it isn't weird they did that? Or did some newb tech bone my shit up....

 

Check to make sure the green, or red, or yellow dot on the tire sidewall is aligned with the valve stem. The rest sounds like just piss poor attention to detail and giving you $4.50 in change from a $5 bill......in nickels.

 

Lol I'll check that. Other than the obvious lack of caring about how it looks on the techs part, is it feasible that it needed outside weights? Has yours ever?

* checked..no colored dots anywhere on the tire. The tire rubber seam is lined up with the stem within an inch or so...* (conti motion)

 

The problem with lining the dots up with the valve stem is determining if the valve stem is the heavy spot on
the rim. Also not all tire companies use the dot the same way: on some it's the heavy spot, on some it's the light
spot. And a lot of times, the valve stem is the light spot on the wheel due to material being removed for the
valve stem mounting. On old wire spoke wheels the valve stem was the heavy spot due to the valve stem mounting.

I always check any wheels I mount tires on to see where the heavy spot is, then try mounting the dot there. Sometimes
it works, sometimes it doesn't.

And I hate these new no-lead weights. I finally broke down and bought a box of lead weights, more than I wanted
but I've got enough to last longer than me.

 

Well as an automotive tech there are two different types of balancing. Static and dynamic. With the skinny rims of old days there was not enough rim width to dynamic balance motorcycle tires. The weight was put in the center of the rim. This is static balance. With a wider tire and rim dynamic balance is better .
I had my tires balanced at the honda shop and they put weights on both sides of the rim in different places. If done correctly this is the preferred way to balance a tire. I have white rims and the weights showed badly so I painted the weights white and they are a lot less noticeable. Hope this helps.

 

So basically it's not that unusual? I do have some gloss black rustoleum....you don't think the weight of the paint itself will matter?

 

Paint will not effect the balance. I use a white paint pen. I'm sure you can get black. If you get no vibration weights are fine. Sorry for the dirty rim white is hard to keep clean

 

Please share where you got lead stick on weights. I don't care how many I have to buy.

 

This is a Canadian source but I am sure they are easily found in the US too

https://fortnine.ca/en/catalogsearch/result/?q=stick+on+wheel+weights

There are also dozens of varieties on Amazon.ca likely Amazon.com as well


You will get enough to last you a life time and also your son, and any illegitimate ones you may have running around as well. I painted mine white with model paint. And they are lead weights. Someone dislikes the othes.

 

The U.S. is very weird about lead these days. There were years we couldn't sell mini bikes to kids... because the battery terminals had lead.

I'm still not seeing lead available in preliminary searches in the U.S.

 

Let me see what it would cost to ship a pound or two to you. I have ton, not literally, of them and more than I can ever use.

If you're not in a hurry I'll be home in a few days and send you some, shouldn't cost more than a few bucks.

 

Still balance my tyres every time they are replaced. Anywhere between 10 and 25 grams despite “spotting the valve.”

 

No hurry at all. Just want lead. Tired of putting on 4 - 6 steel weights.

 

My apologies. Mine are actually steel I think.

 

Randy..., goddamit. No more vacations for you.

 

Alright now. I have had enough. You cursed and me and I spilled my drink!