WHEEL BALANCING
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- Posts: 165
- Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2011 11:01 am
- Location: VENICE, FL
- Motorcycle: 2006 GL1800
WHEEL BALANCING
Trying to decide what is the best way to balance my tires. I know everyone has their favorite but ! am looking for an overall consensus. I want to get rid of the weights on the rims and maybe get more life out of the tires. I don't know if it matters but a lot of the time while on the road by myself I am a fairly aggressive rider.
- virgilmobile
- Posts: 9092
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- Location: Denham Springs,La.
- Motorcycle: 1988 GL1500 I
Previously owned
78 GL1000
81 GL1100
82 GL1100 I
83 GL1100 I
83 GL1100 standard
84 GL 1200 I
Re: WHEEL BALANCING
The best decision I ever made for every bike I've owned was to use balancing beads.
My tires took 2 oz. in each tire.Bought them online as there are no local sales.
On my 84 and 88,it was easiest to break the bead and pour the beads in.
I tried to put them in the air valve on the 88 rear and it took almost 3 hours.
I used a "C" clamp and some blocks of wood and broke the bead with the tire on the bike for the other 3 tires.
Here's just one source...http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/14 ... PAodeVEAkw
I know...$40 for 4 tires.....how much is it to have them balanced at the dealer.....This is a DIY.
My tires took 2 oz. in each tire.Bought them online as there are no local sales.
On my 84 and 88,it was easiest to break the bead and pour the beads in.
I tried to put them in the air valve on the 88 rear and it took almost 3 hours.
I used a "C" clamp and some blocks of wood and broke the bead with the tire on the bike for the other 3 tires.
Here's just one source...http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/14 ... PAodeVEAkw
I know...$40 for 4 tires.....how much is it to have them balanced at the dealer.....This is a DIY.
- SteveB123
- Posts: 842
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- Location: Winchester, Ontario, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1982 1100I, 60A Poorboy, MSD coil
Re: WHEEL BALANCING
"Overall consensus" will easily be lead weights, as the most popular.GRAPEAPE94 wrote:Trying to decide what is the best way to balance my tires. I know everyone has their favorite but ! am looking for an overall consensus.
But your question is for the best way, which is different than popular.
Consensus in replies in this thread will surely be Dynabeads.
Current:82 GL1100 Interstate, 60 Amp Poorboy, MSD coil
Previous: 93 GSX1100F Katana
82 GL500 Silverwing
Previous: 93 GSX1100F Katana
82 GL500 Silverwing
- dragon2000
- Posts: 194
- Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2010 8:30 pm
- Location: Ontario, Canada
- Motorcycle: 2009 Gold Wing
2000 Honda Valkyrie
Re: WHEEL BALANCING
You may want to look at the comments in is Thread: viewtopic.php?t=4328
Steve
Dragon2000
Remember - You Meet the Nicest People Riding a Honda!

Ontario, Canada
Dragon2000
Remember - You Meet the Nicest People Riding a Honda!

Ontario, Canada
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- Posts: 353
- Joined: Thu May 20, 2010 1:13 pm
- Location: Prestonsburg, KY; Edgewater FL
- Motorcycle: '08, '13 GL1800
Rear-Yoko Avid Assend 195x60x16
Front-Battleaxe BT-45
Re: WHEEL BALANCING
My last 2 rears and present front did not need balancing according to my local Honda dealership. Should point out that I am double darkside. The dealership will not install the CT on the rear but they do check for balancing. I did purchase and get them to install the rear MT that I use on the front.
- tfdeputydawg
- Posts: 1139
- Joined: Sun Nov 22, 2009 6:59 am
- Location: Indianapolis, In.
- Motorcycle: 06 Wing III/2010 Hannigan
Re: WHEEL BALANCING
Throughly study this web sight and you may wish to use this product:
http://www.ride-on.com/
Disclaimer: At this time, not to be used in Honda Wings that are equipped w/OEM TPMS as the senors are not hermetically sealed !!!
http://www.ride-on.com/
Disclaimer: At this time, not to be used in Honda Wings that are equipped w/OEM TPMS as the senors are not hermetically sealed !!!
Re: WHEEL BALANCING
I use dyna beads I feel the best way to go I love them. BUT one thing if you have TPMS you can use beads . Sally
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- Posts: 7
- Joined: Wed Jul 06, 2011 2:37 pm
- Location: Lawrenceville, GA
- Motorcycle: 2005 GL1800A Goldwing
Re: WHEEL BALANCING
I would whole heartedly recommend the Centramatic balancers; here is a link to them (be sure & take a look at their videos): http://centramatic.com/ (click on motorcycles) and found to be much superior to the Dyna beads (easier to install, also). Significent improvement in stability of the entire bike, almost doubled tire mileage, etc. Nope, NO connection to Centramatic... just a highly pleased customer!
- 93aspy
- Posts: 72
- Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2012 11:42 pm
- Location: Georgetown, Tennessee
- Motorcycle: 2009 GL1800 ABS
Re: WHEEL BALANCING
I concur - Centramatic balancers... Very popular with my MC club...
Les
Les
4 wheels moves the body
2 wheels moves the soul
Darkside # 1574 - Yokohama Avid Envigor ZPS
Double Darkside - Bridgestone Battlax BT-45
Honorary Wild Rhino 6/2014

2 wheels moves the soul
Darkside # 1574 - Yokohama Avid Envigor ZPS
Double Darkside - Bridgestone Battlax BT-45
Honorary Wild Rhino 6/2014

- buffdaddy55
- Posts: 90
- Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2011 5:43 pm
- Location: Ochlocknee, Ga USA
- Motorcycle: 1985 GL1200A Aspencade, 2002 GL1800-Illusion Red,1981 CB650C
- Contact:
Re: WHEEL BALANCING
I prefer the beads (cost) and fairly easy to install. Use them on my 1200 and made a world of difference . Am in the process of putting them in my 1800, but has been somewhat of a pain getting them in the back tire without anything handy to break the bead.Figure it will be worth the effort however. Just go with what feels right for you. 

Re: WHEEL BALANCING
If you are going to use beads, there is a fairly easy way to install them, other than breaking the tire bead. Use a short length of plastic hose (less than a foot) that fits snugly over the valve stem (remove core first) and a small funnel that fits in the other end of the hose. Dribble in about 1 inch of beads into the hose, give funnel end of the hose a small shot of compressed air, and the beads are into the tire. Repeat until all the beads are in. This works equally well on straight of angled valve stems.
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
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1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
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2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer
Re: WHEEL BALANCING
Yup. See it in my video:wingfart wrote:If you are going to use beads, there is a fairly easy way to install them, other than breaking the tire bead. Use a short length of plastic hose (less than a foot) that fits snugly over the valve stem (remove core first) and a small funnel that fits in the other end of the hose. Dribble in about 1 inch of beads into the hose, give funnel end of the hose a small shot of compressed air, and the beads are into the tire. Repeat until all the beads are in. This works equally well on straight of angled valve stems.
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- buffdaddy55
- Posts: 90
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Re: WHEEL BALANCING
I will give it a "shot" so to speak! 

- tech1
- Posts: 182
- Joined: Fri Jun 18, 2010 8:21 pm
- Location: East Moline IL
- Motorcycle: 1986 Goldwing 1200 SE-i Aspencade
2009 audo comfort
GL1800
Re: WHEEL BALANCING
Hello I was questioning that too. What everyone uses and best. I have an 09 with TPWS and wasnt going to use the dyna beads on it so i put Centramatics on. Smooth!! If no TPWS dyna beads are OK. I had them in my 86 SEi and was happy with them. The only thing you loose them breaking down your tire , but relatily inexpensive to replace. Now the Centra Matics once installed U R done!! and never lost with tire replacement
I agree no lead! it is banned here in IL. now. TPWS = Centramatic , Non TPWS = dynabeads.
Tech1
I agree no lead! it is banned here in IL. now. TPWS = Centramatic , Non TPWS = dynabeads.
Tech1
- buffdaddy55
- Posts: 90
- Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2011 5:43 pm
- Location: Ochlocknee, Ga USA
- Motorcycle: 1985 GL1200A Aspencade, 2002 GL1800-Illusion Red,1981 CB650C
- Contact:
Re: WHEEL BALANCING
Shooting beads in with air did not work for me. The 90* angle on the stem is too crimped. Not like the front as they went in there great. I guess I"ll break the bead and finish the install. 

- nandyman1
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2011 8:38 pm
- Location: Phenix City, AL
- Motorcycle: 2005 Honda Goldwing
Re: WHEEL BALANCING
There is a kit to install the beads it's a small plastic bottle with a short length of hose that fits over the valve stem. I've done it a couple of times and have had to use an engraver on the stem, the vibration helps, just go slow it seems to help if they don't get bunched up. Also I installed an all metal 90* valve stem as I had a stock one fail last year. Be safe.