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Balanced wheels?

  • Thread starter Thread starter sharpy
  • Start date Start date
bwringer said:
I balance my own with this high-tech apparatus:

(Note clever substitution of random object for motorcycle wheel and axle)

bal_stands4.jpg


These were homemade with old Rollerblade bearings, and the setup is virtually frictionless and VERY sensitive. You can literally move the wheel by breathing on it. If you give too vigorous a spin, you can wait several minutes for the wheel to slow down

I found the heavy spot of the wheels easily, and sure enough, it was about 80 degrees away from the valve stem. After mounting my last set of tires with the dot near the true heavy spot, the front ended up taking just 1/2 of a 1/4 ounce weight and the rear took one 1/4 ounce weight. (You gotta love Pirelli's quality control!)
Click to expand...

Dude, those garage door brackets is a SWEET idea! Way to go thinking creatively!
 
So, you got that 4-way balanced too for NASCAR speed lug nut removal :-P ?
Those brackets appear to me also to be garage door track brackets.

Good thread :!:
 
I built a pair of balance stands like shown in this thread and the friction in the bearings is greater than the friction in my wheel bearings. Not trying to diss the balance stand but it doesn't work for me - friction in the small skate bearings is greater than that in the larger wheel bearings.
 
Nessism said:
I built a pair of balance stands like shown in this thread and the friction in the bearings is greater than the friction in my wheel bearings. Not trying to diss the balance stand but it doesn't work for me - friction in the small skate bearings is greater than that in the larger wheel bearings.
Click to expand...

You must have gotten a bad set of skate bearings, then. Or mounted them incorrectly. Even teensy-tiny 1/8 ounce or smaller imbalances are readily apparent with my set-up. And yes, my wheel bearings are good -- I replace them every other tire change.
 
bwringer said:
You must have gotten a bad set of skate bearings, then. Or mounted them incorrectly. Even teensy-tiny 1/8 ounce or smaller imbalances are readily apparent with my set-up. And yes, my wheel bearings are good -- I replace them every other tire change.
Click to expand...

I ended up doing something even simpler, and just as effective.

Just balance using the axle across 2 sawhorses ...

But heres the trick:
Put your finger on top of the axle, and rock it back and forth (just roll it back and forth 1/4" or so each way.

The shaft will roll on the sawhorses, but the rotational inertia of the wheel prevents the wheel from rotating. So the bearings are essentially going backwards and then forwards constantly. The net torque on the wheel is zero, so it doesn't try to rotate the wheel. But any torque from imbalance is still there, and will try to rotate it. Normally friction in the bearings would stop it, but the alternating friction is pretty much independant of speed in each direction, so it doesn't act to stop a slow rotation of the wheel.

The above is a REALLY CRAPPY description of why it works, but it really does work great.
Rocking the axle back and forth reduces the effective friction DRAMATICALLY.
It sounds dopey, but it really works, don't knock it till you try it.
I was also able to balance to within less than 1/8 ounce of perfect.
 
I get Sharpy to do mine :-D\\:D/:)

no brakes/oil leaks/timing chain needs replacin...

but Sharpies tyres r gr8 lol

thx bro

Phark
 
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