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[frankshd]

ok lets hear what ya all have to say on this  [you too sbb] i'v talked to a few different techs on this, some say you do not need to balance your tires if you line up dot on tire and valve steam, and outhers say you need too, what do you think   there may all ready be a thread on this IDK 

[Chains]

Lining up the mark is just the start to a good balance, I would never run a tire on a bike without balancing or Dyna Beads.

[grc]

ok lets hear what ya all have to say on this  [you too sbb] i'v talked to a few different techs on this, some say you do not need to balance your tires if you line up dot on tire and valve steam, and outhers say you need too, what do you think   there may all ready be a thread on this IDK 

Just shows to go you that you don't necessarily have to know what you're talking about to be a "tech".  Of course, in one way they are correct, you don't have to do anything if you don't mind the negative effects of doing nothing.

Just take a look at the typical Harley cast rim from the factory and count all those balance weights.  And that's with the dots all lined up.  Eliminate those weights, or just have one or two fall off by themselves like many folks have had happen, and the difference will definitely be noticeable.

IMHO, all tires should be balanced on any vehicle that is used for anything more important than mowing the lawn.  Even a bicycle will benefit from proper wheel and tire balance.


Jerry

[Limited Lou]

On today's bikes yes to balance.. On my older bikes in the shovel heads I allways put tire on my self, never balanced and no problems..

[bigdave110]

By that same logic you shouldn't have to balance your car tires either.
It is amazing what people spew out of there mouths.
There are so many of us on this site that are or where some type of tech.
putting the dot beside the stem is just a start to a good balance.
WOW
When I have my students balance tires, there are several steps I make sure they follow.
They all have there place in making sure the tire runs as smooth and true as possible.

Just sayin
Dave

[AXIL]

 cvo-$30,000+ ,balance a tire $10.00.  did the "tech" ride a nice motor cycle or a rusted out 1980 sportster?
  yes , balance the tire but not by him.   axil

[1sharprdkg]

You don't have to balance if you enjoy that roller coaster ride feeling! NOT! Amazing that a "tech" would advise no need to balance.  

[frankshd]

cvo-$30,000+ ,balance a tire $10.00.  did the "tech" ride a nice motor cycle or a rusted out 1980 sportster?
  yes , balance the tire but not by him.   axil

i mount and balance my own tires i was just wondering on this issue because i have never heard of the dot valve thing , heard sum techs and outhers talking and i could not believe what i heard. just making sure i was not missing out on sum new technology

[grc]

The "dot" and valve thing is nothing new, it's been around for decades.  The tire manufacturer marks the heavy spot of the tire with a dot of paint on the sidewall.  That dot is supposed to be lined up with the light spot of the wheel, so that the overall imbalance is minimized.  This results in less weight being required for final balance.

In the auto assembly business, the tires have a sticker applied at the heavy spot and the wheels have a sticker applied at the light spot by the respective suppliers, and a vision system automatically indexes the tire to the wheel by matching up the two stickers.  With bikes, they tend to use the simpler method of just lining up the tire dot with the valve stem.  While the valve stem hole is usually the light spot, you can occassionally find a poorly made wheel where that isn't the case.


Jerry

[bigdave110]

The "dot" and valve thing is nothing new, it's been around for decades.  The tire manufacturer marks the heavy spot of the tire with a dot of paint on the sidewall.  That dot is supposed to be lined up with the light spot of the wheel, so that the overall imbalance is minimized.  This results in less weight being required for final balance.

In the auto assembly business, the tires have a sticker applied at the heavy spot and the wheels have a sticker applied at the light spot by the respective suppliers, and a vision system automatically indexes the tire to the wheel by matching up the two stickers.  With bikes, they tend to use the simpler method of just lining up the tire dot with the valve stem.  While the valve stem hole is usually the light spot, you can occassionally find a poorly made wheel where that isn't the case.


Jerry

X2
Well spoken.
Dave

[faceracer]

On today's bikes yes to balance.. On my older bikes in the shovel heads I allways put tire on my self, never balanced and no problems..

Same as you I always balance my Harley tires but in my old Triumph days I did all my own tire changes and never balanced a tire.
Back then I Used my car to run over the tire and break the bead! 

[CVODON]

Tell that "tech's" manager that he needs some further CE (continuing education). As noted above this shows you that no matter your skill level anyone can be a "tech", knowledge is not necessary, just a dealer shirt and you are good to go spewing crap.

[Big Dog]

As Mr. Miyagi said...."Balance Danielson!"