Dyna-Beads for Balancing Tires?

[FJ Flyer]

David,
Cool!  I was considering going cheapo with a harbor freight balancer, but figured the greater precision is worth the price and kind of the point of the whole exercise.

The guy at the local shop (that moved two hours away) used a really cool low profile weight the last time I had him mount and balance the front.  Can't find them anywhere.

[ddlewis]

David,
Cool!  I was considering going cheapo with a harbor freight balance, but figured the greater precision is worth the price and kind of the point of the whole exercise.

The guy local shop (that moved two hours away) used a really cool low profile weight the last time I had him mount and balance the front.  Can't find them anywhere.

Before you spend the money, try balancing on the axle..   On the axle w/ no, spacers, chain, caliper(s) out of the way etc..  move the axle back and forth a little to break stick-tion.  It's surprisingly sensitive.  As far as I can tell it works just as good as a real balance stand.  heavy spot settles to the bottom, stick a weight at the top, repeat if necessary.  $10 box of self adhesive weights off ebay (aka: lifetime supply) and your set.  Of all the tool$ and $tuff I'd like to have, balance stand is not even on the radar.

[FJ Flyer]

The marc parnes unit isn't a stand, its basically a smaller axle with cones to fit in the bearings, with its own precision bearings with metal, not rubber seals.  Rubber seals=friction and less accurate balancing.  Basically, but the thing on a set of jack stands.  I will also put the wheel on it without the tire to find the heavy spot and see how it is after the tire is mounted.  Michelin doesn't put light spot marks on their tires, but not sure about Avon.

[Marsh White]

Michelin doesn't put light spot marks on their tires, but not sure about Avon.

Really?  That's lame of them.  Probably because they have such a "high opinion" of themselves they don't want to mark a "flaw".  For the record - yes; AVON does put the mark on their tires.

[racerman_27410]

Michelin doesn't put light spot marks on their tires, but not sure about Avon.

Really?  That's lame of them.  Probably because they have such a "high opinion" of themselves they don't want to mark a "flaw".  For the record - yes; AVON does put the mark on their tires.

Marsh,

I have found michelin dont need to mark the tires....they are precisely manufactured tires!

i balance my rims and it doesnt matter where the tire is on the rim..... they dont need any extra weights......

it's not like i'm in love with the french (per say) but this company makes damn good tires.... they charge a premium for their work but when the rubber hits the road... i am willing to pay for the confidence i have in them.

KookALoo!!!!!!!

Frank

[TRoy]

.... thats because michelin tires don't require balancing   

[Dan Filetti]

it's not like i'm in love with the french (per say).....
Frank

Well, you gotta love their kissing anyway... 

[racerman_27410]

it's not like i'm in love with the french (per say).....
Frank

Well, you gotta love their kissing anyway... 

and fries!


KOokaloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jamesearthdrum]

Hi Chris,
       I have a Parnes balancer I would be happy to loan you if you'd like to try before you buy. It is very smooth, I found that you only need the slightest touch to get the wheel to move. Too much and your waiting around for it to settle. I put it between two milk crates. Let me know.
       Oh, and maybe I only think the Dyna Beads are working because I have Michelin tires? 

[FJ Flyer]

James,
That might work.  I have to figure out when I can pull the wheels and remove the dyna beads.  With the family schedule it might be a little while.  I'll let you know.  Thanks for the offer.

[FJ Flyer]

Not to keep belaboring this topic, but...
Finally pulled the front wheel off the FJR and popped off the tire to removed the beads. It was interesting as the beads were spread around the inside of the tire fairly evevnly. What was interesting is that they were sort of fixed in position. The PR2s have a stone shape pattern in the rubber on the inside and between that and maybe static, those suckers didn't want to move. Even with the shop vac I had to scrape some of them loose to suck them up. So the claim that they move around and always self-adjust may be more smoke.

Put the wheel on the marc parnes balancer and used standard weights to balance it out. I've  have had two vibration-free days of riding to work. Huge difference!.

So, again - one data point - dynabeads didn't work for me, not even close.