Balancing the rear tire

I recently purchased an 05 Silverwing with 16k miles.

I bought it with intentions of doing the 16k service work myself. I would like to thank all the contributors on this site for the great job that they did in creating the step by step instructions for nearly any maintenance task. With the help of those instructions, I was able to change all the fluids and replace the belt and sliders.

The tire change was more problematic. The rear tire carcass was very stiff and difficult to remove and remount but I finally got it done.

I purchased a wheel balancer from Harbor Freight. When I got it home, I discovered that the axle was bent. I returned it for exchange but HF only had one other balancer in the store. When we checked the axle on it, we discovered that it was also bent.

I ordered a balancer from Amazon. It arrived a few days later. I was disappointed to find that it wouldn't work for the rear tire. The wheel hub diameter was too large and the hub width was too narrow. The taper of the balancer centering cones were too long and they met in the middle before tightening up on the rim. The balancer did work fine for the front rim.

Then it occurred to me that i could possibly use my lawnmower blade balancer, pictured below, on the rear.



When you place the tire/rim on the balancer spindle, it will settle with the heavy side of the tire lower and the lighter side of the tire higher. I put a 6" bubble level on the brake rotor. I placed various weights on the high side of the rim until the rim was level. Once I determined the correct weights, I attached them to the rim.

I installed the wheel and took it for a ride. No tire balance issues. Life is good.

I am not sure that this type of balancer is as accurate as the axle and cone type but it is much better than not balancing the rear wheel at all.

Maybe this tip will help someone else who has run into this same problem.

By the way, this is the fourth scooter that we have owned and by far the best. I like the ride, handling, brakes and acceleration.

Ride safe!

tip here on rear wheel balance-----many shops cannot or will not balance 13" or less scooter tires.

I have static balancer, Hein Gericke from 30 years ago, works but takes time and patience, BEST I find a product called "Ride On"----good bike shops have it.

Goes in Valve stem with core taken out----little messy, easiest with wheel off bike---I made some clamps so little hose doesn't come off.

Not cheap @$15 a bottle----but worth it, as tire ages, it adjusts itself. Well balanced tires/ wheels, seem to let tire last a little longer. Also it does seal minor leaks, small tack holes, etc.

On removing rear tire from rim----I find at 73, longer tire irons, sun or heat lamp to warm tire up, lube the bead well. Bridgestone Hoops seem to have very stiff sidewall.

Glad to see somebody doing own tire work!!! As high mileage rider since 1955---have been thru 250-400 tires. Great thing about doing it yourself---you then know rear wheel is installed right and works. In today's bike shops you might have some Jet Ski Mech screwing it up-----notice also at most bike shops the shop people all drive pick ups so have little interest in bikes/scooters.

just throw a bag of Dyna Beads in it.
I did it to mine and went to Alaska.
No problems