Tires - Balancing at home

As you May know I change my own tires, up till now I just used a set of jack stands to balance my wheels. But I converted an outside gardening bench into a balancing stand VFR Wheel Adapter

The inside diameter of the hole is about 2" I found a 1 1/2 inch bushing (inside diameter) that fit just perfect, tap it in with a hammer and I am good to go.


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One end of the bushing was smooth the other was threaded so I found some adapters that had 3/4" threads on the inside, and 2 end caps with 3/4" threads on each end, I used a 5/8" bore bit to cut a perfect sized hole for the 5/8" rod washers and bolts. ?I have it set out how it fits together.

(IMG:http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/uploads/balance/balance02.jpg)

The Bench

I cut a U shaped hole in the bench and reinforced it with 2x4s and put legs on the ends, leveled the table and screwed the legs on.

Here are the screen door wheels I used to let the rod turn freely, its just 4 sliding door wheels screwed into a 2 x 2 block of wood on each side.

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I had to chisel out some wood to keep the rod from rubbing, it sort of screws side to side but not so much I cant get a good balance.

Here you can see how the adapter is used

(IMG:http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/uploads/balance/balance06.jpg)

The endcap on the right screw thru the hole in the wheel and it is all tightned down with the bolts on the rod.
(IMG:http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/uploads/balance/balance07.jpg)

Total cost for the hardware $18, bench was already there, the extra lumber was too. Home Depot, Sorry Lewis the post doubled up on me so I erased that one, with the questions you asked, I believe they are all answered now.

I just use the rod to tap out the adaptor when I am done a few gentle taps ?thru the hole and it comes out the other side.

Miguel, you might try skateboard/rollerblade wheel bearings for the rollers instead of the screen door thingys.

I have a feeling that they would offer less friction and maybe make your balance job more accurate.

JM2C

The wheels I used have ball bearings in the middle, they spin pretty good, the middle part is a bit wider than the outer edges so they dont bind against the wood.

If I can find some skate board wheels I will check them out.

I have been able to make a spacer out of 6061-T6 aluminum, using my lathe, to fit perfectly inside the rear wheel of the VFR.  It is 64mm long, with three different diameters.  The inside bore of the wheel is 50 mm, and the smaller hole is 30mm.  I have made balance rods from 0.5" drill rod.  This adapter fits perfectly within the wheel, with no slop.  You do not have to hold the wheel in place with any other device.

It takes me about 1.5 hours to make one.  If you are interested in obtaining such a device, let me know.  I will post a picture of the adapter when I get my tires changed over for the upcoming track day at Willow Springs.

Enjoy.

I'm sure you could get a bunch of people interested in having an aluminum adapter made. I filed/sanded my PVC adapter and it fits perfectly, so I will stick with that for now.  I cut up a pair of my boys old roller blades to use as balancing ends. I have not mounted them yet, so I don't know how they work. I spent all day today drilling into the concrete in my garage (4 holes) to hard mount my tire removal tools. A brand new 1/2" masonary bit is now toast. I am just about ready to have my tire mounting/balancing shop open. More to come.  :D

Sounds like you got the H.S.U. in your garage,too bad about
your toasted bit..
btw... H.S.U. = hot set up.. :D

To help keep from destroying your concreate bits, keep a small flow of water down into the hole.  If you drilling into some of that 10,000lbs/sq in foundation concrete, not many things will survive.

Enjoy.

The new bit cut like butter on the first hole, but took twice as long on the second hole. I found an old masonary bit lying around and used it to make a pilot hole (1.5 inch deep) for the remaining 2, then I used the toasted 1/2" bit to widen the hole. This worked much better. Thanks for the advice on the water, but too little, too late. Time to break out the butter for that toasted bit, LOL.  Any locals need tires changed? The only problem that remains is what to do with the old tires and where to get wheel weights? :D

About getting rid of tires, check with one of your local car tires chaning locations, like Discount Tire.  Either they will allow you to just throw them on their pile for free, or charge you a small fee.

I purchased a strip of lead from CycleGear.  You can reuse the weight by getting a role of 3M double sided foam tape.

Enjoy.

I was going to refer a person to this thread, but I can't see pictures. Help, I have gone blind!!!!  :p

spinalator, Nov. 17I was going to refer a person to this thread, but I can't see pictures. Help, I have gone blind!!!! ?:P

fixed

Thanks you wonderful webmaster!! I knew it would be fixed in about 10 minutes tops!  :beer:

How do you balance a wheel at home? HOw do you know where to put the weights?

Thanks!

John

AzizaVFR, Apr 25 2003, 06:52 PMAbout getting rid of tires, check with one of your local car tires chaning locations, like Discount Tire. ?Either they will allow you to just throw them on their pile for free, or charge you a small fee.

I purchased a strip of lead from CycleGear. ?You can reuse the weight by getting a role of 3M double sided foam tape.

Enjoy.

You spin is several times, if it always comes down to the same spot you put a wheel weight at the opposite side of the wheel and spin it again till it stops in a random spot and does not drop to a heavy spot.

AzizaVFR, Do you have a picture of your adapter? I am getting ready to do my first rear tire and need to make one up. I have access to a lathe, so I can get one made up. But seeing what you did would help alot. I will get a link to a How-To that my friend put together on the ZX12R forum for do-it-yourself tire balancing. It is a pretty good write up. :beer:

Here is link to the write up - http://www.zx-12r.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php...hlight=pit+bull This should help compliment HS's write up. I am having an aluminum axle turned up to use for balancing my tire with the pitbull stand. I will posts pics when complete.

Slammer,
Thanks for the insight!!!
You have saved me many scratches from the stealership.
Check out my rig.
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ULEWZ, Apr 26 2003, 01:41 AMThe new bit cut like butter on the first hole, but took twice as long on the second hole. I found an old masonary bit lying around and used it to make a pilot hole (1.5 inch deep) for the remaining 2, then I used the toasted 1/2" bit to widen the hole. This worked much better. Thanks for the advice on the water, but too little, too late. Time to break out the butter for that toasted bit, LOL. ? :D

I used a hammer drill and it went through it like balsa wood,....again, too late now! :rolleyes: