Anyone know how to balance wheels?

mike932 · Post by **mike932** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 1:17 am

I have a Buddy 170i. I mounted the tire wrong. The yellow dot on the tire is next to the air valve. I was thinking of duct taping a coin (a nickel) to the opposite side of the wheel to help balance the wheel. Anyone have any other ideas besides remounting the tire?

charlie55 · Post by **charlie55** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 2:20 am

You got it right the first time. The yellow dot marks the lightest spot on the tire, so most manufacturers recommend that you mount it near the valve stem. That said, it's not an exact science. If you think it's not right for you, you could try breaking the bead and rotating the tire around the rim, or just get some stick-on weights. I'd avoid using tape as it will probably let go after a few wettings.

I use a simple balancing stand and stick-ons and have had good results.

mike932 · Post by **mike932** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 3:05 am

Oops I meant the dot is opposite the valve. Thanks

babblefish · Post by **babblefish** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 7:21 am

If it were me, I'd do what Charlie suggested and pop the bead again and rotate the tire.

DeeDee · Post by **DeeDee** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 2:27 pm

Is it the front tire or rear?

If it's the rear, I'd just leave it alone. If it's the front, does it ride any different than before? If not I'd leave it alone.

If it's the rear, I don't think I would go to the trouble of pulling it off the bike, breaking the bead and moving the dot. Put 100 miles on the scooter. Does it ride any different than it did before? If not, forget about it.

You could always put in an ounce of these and call it good either way:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/STAINLESS-STEEL ... 2429366739

babblefish · Post by **babblefish** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 11:16 am

Just for general information, the local Genuine Scooter dealer here says it is not necessary to balance scooter wheels, although they will do it if a customer insists.
From personal experience, I replaced the front tire of my Buddy with a Michelin tire with no balance markings in a random position and have not noticed any vibrations or odd behaviors, at least not up to 55 MPH (GPS).

Tazio · Post by **Tazio** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 11:22 pm

I've found my Buddy wheels don't need to be balanced. I use Dynabeads in my Vespa and they work fine for me.

Georgetheman · Post by **Georgetheman** » Sun Mar 19, 2017 5:23 pm

As im not too good with vespas i came here to get some info when i was scratching my head to change the tire

. Just wanted to say thnx guys. Life savers!

storacasinoaventuret

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sun Mar 19, 2017 5:31 pm

Georgetheman wrote: Just wanted to say thnx guys. Life savers!

Ah, you heard everything from orient the tire correctly, to static balance the wheel and tire, to use dynabeads, to don't worry about balancing. Which advice was useful?