Steel BB's/ Balance tires

[Keef]

Yes I read some where in these posting that some one used steel bb's to balance there tires. If you (the person who did) read this, how are they doing and are you still using them?? Others, I would know what do you think??? Thanks!!

[thrasherg]

I have not used BB's I would think, most are too large to get correct balancing and would be difficult to get inside the tyre. I do use balancing beads, which are thousands of very small BB's, you pour them into the tyre through the air valve, there are both ceramic and metal types, I have used both and found the ceramic created a lot of dust inside the tyre but didn't seem to affect anything, but I have stuck with the metal ones for the moment. I run them on all my vehicles and they seem to work very well.

Gary

[Keef]

Gary can you tell me where you got the metal one's? I have use Dyna beads and all turn to dust..

[DaveO430]

Yes I read some where in these posting that some one used steel bb's to balance there tires. If you (the person who did) read this, how are they doing and are you still using them?? Others, I would know what do you think??? Thanks!!

I used them in 2 tire on a small pickup for a while, tires weren't worth having them balanced and I have a tire breaker so I broke them down and poured in 3 oz of BBs each. It worked well but I had to replace the tires after 5 or 6,000 miles anyway. The BBs still looked good when I had new tires put on.

[thrasherg]

Gary can you tell me where you got the metal one's? I have use Dyna beads and all turn to dust..

I have used dyna beads and counteract beads, both are ceramic and create a lot of dust, but they seem to work. I found a seller on eBay that sells stainless steel wheel balance beads and I use those now, they don’t rust, don’t create dust and I prefer them.

Gary

[AZgl1800]

I have used Dyna Beads on the last 3 bikes, and never had a problem.

yes, you see dust when the tire is taken off, but the beads are still mostly there.

I just put in new beads with each new tire. I buy the stuff in a bulk bag.

[thrasherg]

I have used Dyna Beads on the last 3 bikes, and never had a problem.

yes, you see dust when the tire is taken off, but the beads are still mostly there.

I just put in new beads with each new tire. I buy the stuff in a bulk bag.

Same for me, they work and I replace them with each tyre, I just don't like all the dust, especially as I am breathing it in when I change the tyres, so I just prefer the SS ones as it's cleaner and I don't think I am breathing in loads of fine dust, just seems healthier..

Gary

[Stew]

My rear tire will probably need to be replaced this summer. I've read about some people using the Airsoft BBs as balancing beads with good results and that's what I'm going to use. They're about the same size as regular BBs but plastic so no worry about corroding.

[thrasherg]

If they are really plastic, I would be concerned by the quantity of balls you will have to put in the tyre!! We use metal balls or ceramic balls because they are much heavier than plastic.

Gary

[823JIM]

I am currently using ceramic beads, have read/been told that plain steel beads will rust and cause problems. Stainless steel beads will eliminate this problem, but that any form of steel beads are hard on aluminum rims because of the continuous shot blasting effect. I do not know if this is truly a problem, as I have only used ceramic, or just the ceramic folks scare tactic to promote their product.

[AZgl1800]

I am currently using ceramic beads, have read/been told that plain steel beads will rust and cause problems. Stainless steel beads will eliminate this problem, but that any form of steel beads are hard on aluminum rims because of the continuous shot blasting effect. I do not know if this is truly a problem, as I have only used ceramic, or just the ceramic folks scare tactic to promote their product.

huh?

once that wheel start rolling over, those beads go to the outer circumference of the tire.
they will never touch the rim until the bike is nearly stopped dead.

[823JIM]

I am currently using ceramic beads, have read/been told that plain steel beads will rust and cause problems. Stainless steel beads will eliminate this problem, but that any form of steel beads are hard on aluminum rims because of the continuous shot blasting effect. I do not know if this is truly a problem, as I have only used ceramic, or just the ceramic folks scare tactic to promote their product.

huh?

once that wheel start rolling over, those beads go to the outer circumference of the tire.
they will never touch the rim until the bike is nearly stopped dead.

"27. What about glass beads, plastic beads, steel beads and powder?

Glass beads can come apart in a tire, glass and plastic beads and balance powder can clump with moisture. Steel beads can damage rims by chipping away the protective coating and allowing steel rims to rust and aluminum rims to corrode." Quote from web site of Checker Flag Tire Beads Q & A section
https://checkeredflagtirebalancebeads.c ... d-answers/

This is why I was asking if claims of rim damage is true or just advertising hype. I have no personal experience with steel beads.

[AZgl1800]

Steel beads can damage rims by chipping away the protective coating and allowing steel rims to rust and aluminum rims to corrode.

IMO,
that guy who wrote that, don't know what is going on.

No way, can the beads mess up the rim of the wheel.

once it starts rolling, the beads go to the outer circumference of the tire.

I would ignore that little piece in his dissertation. most of it is correct.

But, I would not choose steel beads anyway. why not just use ordinary BBs from Walmart, etc??
Cheaper than Dyna Beads and does the same thing. The downside is you have to break the rim seal, and pour then in past the rim and tire.

For me, I will stick with Dyna Beads, they work fine.

[PastoT]

I've used ceramic balancing beads for 70k miles and most have been recycled from one set of tires to the next and so on. I've never had them turn to dust. I can imagine putting BB or steel beads of any type in my wheels. Mind you there are glass beads on the market as well and they could very well pulverize themselves. You pay for what you get and if your not careful I'll bet there are some less durable bead products available. I've used counteract brand without a problem and I swear by balancing beads. I get 19k miles on max pressure E-3 and E-4 tires.

[garwil]

Dito what PastoT said.
I have used Dyno Beads for multiple tires. Take them out of the old tire, blow out the dust, put them into the new tire. I check the weight and add beads because some get spilled. I don't believe the dust is from the beads wearing out. It is more likely rubber and wax knocked off the inside by the beads that is left over from the molding process.

[n8dogg]

I have used the airsoft beads in both tires on the bike and both tires on the tagalong trailer that I pull on trips have never had a problem with them smooth up to 90 mph. You do have to put them in before you seat the bead but as I mount my own tires its not a problem. Just make sure you use the match grade beads there are a better grade of pellet.

[Dusty Boots]

I will be putting in the air soft bbs very soon for my tires.
I measured them out the other day (2 ozs front, 3 ozs rear) and will install them as I change my own tires.
Never liked the Dyna Beads!!

Dusty

[823JIM]

I will be putting in the air soft bbs very soon for my tires.
I measured them out the other day (2 ozs front, 3 ozs rear) and will install them as I change my own tires.
Never liked the Dyna Beads!!

IMG_2025 - 1.jpg
Dusty

I am using the same tire combination on my GL1800 that you have pictured and the same weight in tires, but I am using ceramic beads, they have worked well for me for several years.