Hawkeye Driver Posted May 11, 2015 Posted May 11, 2015 My Dunlop Q2s are about done. Managed to find a front Q2 online for $50 and a read Q3 for $125. Now shopping around the Tidewater VA area for a shop that will mount and balance. Last time I lived here (2008) and made these calls I got a bunch of BS that they only mount OEM tires on bikes due to safety reasons. Really? At least this time I didn't get that answer. Most said ~$35 per wheel but one shop said they couldn't balance the rear because of the SSSA - they don't have the adapter for their balance machine. I was kind of surprised because this is the oldest dealer in town and only sells Honda products. Anyone ever run into this before? More importantly, anyone know of a reputable shop (other than the standard dealers) in Norfolk/VA Beach area that mounts and balances? Quote
PACIFICMAN Posted May 11, 2015 Posted May 11, 2015 (edited) I have run into the same problem. Of course I had the SSSA "cone" adapter in my hand at Harbor Freight on close out for $.75, but did not buy it.... Anyway, I have not experienced any bad vibes. I always have the front balanced and have always used Top brand tires (Michelin, Dunlop now Continental) with fine, smooth results at Max speed, indicated 143. In addition, my rear rim was dimpled pulling off the freeway with a flat. Since then I barely pick up a Slight vibe at an indicated 95 MPH+. In other words, I'm not sure that the rear balance is that critical. Edited May 11, 2015 by PACIFICMAN Quote
TNRabbit Posted May 12, 2015 Posted May 12, 2015 Regarding balance, I use the plastic balls & they work great. Quote
Member Contributer CHUCK2 Posted June 30, 2015 Member Contributer Posted June 30, 2015 Regarding balance, I use the plastic balls & they work great. What are these plastic balls you speak of? Quote
Member Contributer SCguy Posted June 30, 2015 Member Contributer Posted June 30, 2015 I've picked up airsoft BB's at Walmart and they've worked just fine. Cheap too. Quote
Guest Posted June 30, 2015 Posted June 30, 2015 If you are ever in my neighborhood... I mount and balance for 10.00 per wheel on or off of the bike if you buy tires from me. I charge www.jakewilson.com pricing. 20.00 per wheel if you bring me your own tires. You get steel valve stems, mount and computer balance. http://www.ridewnc.net/services.html I always have affordable tires for VFR's The funny thing is, I do many, many VFR's every year. When I ask if they are on this forum, most say no or they are and don't visit the site ever. The regulars on this forum who ask about tires and service rarely follow through. I pretty much write off contacts who come through VFRD PM... Balancing beads aren't really that good. But they are better than no balance at all. Quote
Member Contributer Switchblade Posted June 30, 2015 Member Contributer Posted June 30, 2015 Regarding balance, I use the plastic balls & they work great. What are these plastic balls you speak of? I have several friends that put 1 1/2ous of soft pellets(Air Rifle Type) in each wheel and never have a problem. Roll On .. Quote
Member Contributer Duc2V4 Posted June 30, 2015 Member Contributer Posted June 30, 2015 My Dunlop Q2s are about done. Managed to find a front Q2 online for $50 and a read Q3 for $125. Now shopping around the Tidewater VA area for a shop that will mount and balance. Last time I lived here (2008) and made these calls I got a bunch of BS that they only mount OEM tires on bikes due to safety reasons. Really? At least this time I didn't get that answer. Most said ~$35 per wheel but one shop said they couldn't balance the rear because of the SSSA - they don't have the adapter for their balance machine. I was kind of surprised because this is the oldest dealer in town and only sells Honda products. Anyone ever run into this before? More importantly, anyone know of a reputable shop (other than the standard dealers) in Norfolk/VA Beach area that mounts and balances? Before I bought my tire changing kit with balancer, the shop I went to had to use the car shop next door tire balancer. Most shops that work on Ducati motorcycles should have the right equipment as they also have SSSA motorcycles, quite a few actually. Quote
Member Contributer Cogswell Posted June 30, 2015 Member Contributer Posted June 30, 2015 If you only need to balance the rear tire, a Marc Parnes balancer will do a great job. It's a high precision piece. He'll even send you stick on weights. You can also use it to check the job the shop did on the front tire. That's ridiculous that a Honda shop does not have the equipment to service a VFR rear wheel. http://www.marcparnes.com/Honda_Motorcycle_Wheel_Balancer.htm Quote
Member Contributer Duc2V4 Posted June 30, 2015 Member Contributer Posted June 30, 2015 I received an apropos email from motorcyclist magazine just a few minutes ago. They had a tire changing how-to video... http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/tech-tips-how-to-change-your-own-tires-fix-flat-mc-garage-video?cmpid=enews063015&spPodID=030&spMailingID=22954013&spUserID=NjMwNjg1MTc4NDgS1&spJobID=582995151&spReportId=NTgyOTk1MTUxS0 Quote
Member Contributer Cogswell Posted June 30, 2015 Member Contributer Posted June 30, 2015 For D.I.Y. mounting, I purchased one of these - works great. http://home.comcast.net/~prestondrake/mojoweb.htm While he recommends that you have a H.F. tire changer, you really don't need one. I didn't want the footprint of the machine taking up space in my garage. I use a 14" car wheel (mine's from a Volvo) with 3/4" heater hose around the wheel lip to protect the bike wheel. I have an iron rod from Home Depot that slots in to the top of my workbench and either a bar clamp to squeeze the tire or some 24" zip ties from H.F. to do the same thing. Once the bead is wet with soapy water, the tire lever is rotated around the vertical rod and peels the tire right off. Bead breaking is accomplished with a 30" 2X4 mounted to a wall bracket to use as a lever and a short piece of 2x2 to press down on the bead (supported by the car wheel). The hardest part of the job is getting the wheels off the bike and disposing of the tires. For the latter I cut the beads with large bolt cutters and use a hacksaw to cut the carcass in to 3 or 4 disposable pieces. My total investment in all the foregoing is a bit over $200 - paid back many times over. Quote
wera803 Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 The regulars on this forum who ask about tires and service rarely follow through. I pretty much write off contacts who come through VFRD PM...I have a tire machine and spin balancer as well so do my own tires.I have taken you up on the offer of getting tires at your discounted Jake Wilson price and appreciate what you offer for our community, as well as bikers in general. It is nice to see someone offering a great service like yours for a cheap price. Most dealers gouge you for tire services (tire prices and labor) especially if you bring in your own tires. If I am ever in need of a tire while in your area, I will definitely be calling you over anyone else. Quote
Member Contributer zupatun Posted July 1, 2015 Member Contributer Posted July 1, 2015 If you only need to balance the rear tire, a Marc Parnes balancer will do a great job. It's a high precision piece. He'll even send you stick on weights. You can also use it to check the job the shop did on the front tire. That's ridiculous that a Honda shop does not have the equipment to service a VFR rear wheel. http://www.marcparnes.com/Honda_Motorcycle_Wheel_Balancer.htm +1 on the Marc Parnes...I use jack stands and set the tire with this on top of them to balance my tires. I bought a pack of stick-on 1/4oz increment Promotion lead weights...haven't finished using them in the last 8 years...I've used as little as 1/4oz to balance a tire and as much as 1oz...depending on the tire...from Michelin, Dunlop, Continental, Pirelli and Metzler (about 50K miles on various brands). Quote
klrtovfr Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 (edited) Mjmotogear.com makes a $36 balancer. Ships from Tennessee. I also have their baxley wheel chock clone sold on amazon. Works just as good You can make an adapter for the rear wheel from pvc Edited July 1, 2015 by klrtovfr Quote
Member Contributer Switchblade Posted July 2, 2015 Member Contributer Posted July 2, 2015 Mjmotogear.com makes a $36 balancer. Ships from Tennessee. I also have their baxley wheel chock clone sold on amazon. Works just as good You can make an adapter for the rear wheel from pvc And there on sale ! Roll On .. Quote
V4 Rosso Posted July 2, 2015 Posted July 2, 2015 After balancing the wheels (without the tyres mounted), I haven't needed to add additional wheel weights after mounting tyres (two sets) as modern tyres are fairly well balanced. The rear needed 46gr, the front 32g. IIRC. I was very surprised the wheels needed that much weight to get a good statical balance so I repeated the whole balancing procedure a couple of times and every time came up with the same result. Using some clay I made a mold (seen on top with the two screws in it, used for retracting the mold from the spoke) from the inside of one of the spokes and used that to make a pouring mold. Next I melted the right amount of lead (or whatever those wheel weights are made of) and poured it into the mold. Finally I glued the finished product into the spoke and put some paint on it. Wheels are now in perfect (statical) balance and no need for ugly wheel weights. Quote
Member Contributer zupatun Posted July 2, 2015 Member Contributer Posted July 2, 2015 Thats a great idea. I have balanced my wheels and noted the heavy spot. I usually put the spot on the tire (if the manufacturer has noted the heavy spot) opposite the mark on my rim. Usually it is less than an ounce (28g?)...and it varies... However this is worth looking into...I will probably use the stick on wheel weights...for now. Quote
Member Contributer Switchblade Posted July 2, 2015 Member Contributer Posted July 2, 2015 Or take material out of the wheel if possible. Roll On .. Quote
klrtovfr Posted July 3, 2015 Posted July 3, 2015 (edited) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0091EZM18?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00 Unfortunately the chocks arnt available anymore. I wanted to get another so I could use one for freestanding and one for the trailer. The one shown on their website is different and looks inferior. Edited July 3, 2015 by klrtovfr Quote
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