Wheel imbalance symptoms?

[stinky]

What are some wheel imbalance symptoms? I know warped rotor, but not imbalanced wheels. My front wheel feels oblong at about 35mph. ie an up and down almost bumping. I just put new skins on and this is driving me crazy. Cheers S.

[Joe Nardy]

I think a wheel would have to be severly out of balance to 'bounce' at 35 mph. This sounds more like a runout problem, either a defective tire or a poor mount job. I would take a close look and be sure the tire beads are seated properly all the way around the wheel on both sides. Also check for radial runout.

Thanks,
Joe

[bwringer]

Yeah, you'd need a huge glob of lead to feel the effects of an imbalance at lower speeds. You probably would have noticed that.

Most likely, the bead isn't seated all the way around. Pick the front end up, give the front wheel a spin, and watch the tire -- it should be easy to spot the problem then.

It could also be a defective or damaged tire, but an incompletely seated bead is fairly common.

[Joe Nardy]

It could also be a defective or damaged tire, but an incompletely seated bead is fairly common.

Not to mention HIGHLY dangerous!!!

[stinky]

Thanks for the replies! I have taken the tire off 3 times, to inspect the tube. I thought the tube had a bulge? So I went tubeless. Same thing, bobbing at 35 more severe on deceleration. It runs fantastic at higher and lower speeds? I think it may be a bad tire. Unfortunately it is too much of a pain in the ass to return. Thanks for the input. Cheers S.

[Steve]

You may think it is "too much of a pain in the ass to return" now, but it will REALLY be a pain in the ass when it comes apart at speed and dumps you on the ground.

I would definitely look into getting another tire.


.

[bj]

I've had something similar on my '78 750. I also thought it was the tire and replaced it with no effect. I've tried balancing the tire (again), making sure the oil level is the same in both forks, tightening the steering head bearings, checking front/rear wheel alignment and varying tire pressure.

All these things helped and most of the time I feel no bouncing but every once in a while I get the bounce again. Always between 40 and 50 mph. Accelerating or decelerating stops it immediately. Since it doesn't happen consistently it seems unlikely that the wheel bearings would be at fault but that's the only thing I haven't changed.

It doesn't happen very often but I too would like to figure out what's causing it.

[Road_Clam]

Thanks for the replies! I have taken the tire off 3 times, to inspect the tube. I thought the tube had a bulge? So I went tubeless. Same thing, bobbing at 35 more severe on deceleration. It runs fantastic at higher and lower speeds? I think it may be a bad tire. Unfortunately it is too much of a pain in the ass to return. Thanks for the input. Cheers S.

At this point, consider you LIFE, and yank the tire and take it to a dealer. They will put the wheel on a balancer and check for wheel, and/or tire runout. They will be able to tell you exactly whats wrong.

[stinky]

Okay, thanks for the wake up call. I did pull the tire and replace it. Problem is gone. Thanks for the help. Cheers S.

[Joe Nardy]

Okay, thanks for the wake up call. I did pull the tire and replace it. Problem is gone. Thanks for the help. Cheers S.

No, thank YOU! We may be a bit harsh at times but none of us ever want to hear about a fellow GSR member testing the pavement. Enjoy the smooth, safe ride!

Joe