Gravity Balancing and Checking A New Front Tire

Checking a new front tire for balance and if it, and the rim spins / runs true.

I use my wheel trueing stand as a fixture for gravity balancing wheels and it works very well. You can also make one out of wood 2X4's, using the original axles set in "V" notches at the top ends, and or put the axle in a big vise and hold it on one end while you spin the wheel and watch for the heaviest spot to settle at the bottom. If you spin it in the bikes front fork, or swingarm be sure the chain, and brake rotors are completely free of the wheel. Nothing can touch the wheel or tire assembly during this test. I use the 1/4 oz tape a weights shown in the image above, you can break off as many as is required to balance the wheel.

I put the weights on with a piece of clear packing tape, to hold them temporarily until the final weight and placement solution is known, then peel off the paper covered adhesive on the back of the weights for the final installation.

Here the wheel is spinning by hand, and you can also indicate the tire with a pointer (above) besides the wheel rim to be sure it is true. This will also show if the tire is on the bead correctly. Many times I have put tires in this stand that were balanced by another shops electronic machine for customers with wobble and handling complaints etc. and they have a bad heavy spot that goes straight to the bottom! Not sure if it was the machine or operator error, but it happens frequently and I have to remove all the weights and start over! I no longer trust any of the motorcycle tire balance machines, if they got your wheel balance job right, that's great! It is very simple to check, so always check your wheels and tires. You are riding it.

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