Wheel Balance

[BMPete]

Hi all quick question do any of you guys with new RT LC on original tyres have any wheel balance weights on your wheels. Only just noticed that mine have no weights front or back. Find it hard to believe that they are balanced.

From the manual

Front max imbalance 5g (max balance weights 80g)
Rear max imbalance 45g (max balance weights 80g)

From this I can see that rear wheel is probably within spec but the front who knows. Just for info the bike feels fine. When I have time maybe I'll whip the wheels out and check their balance. Curious

 

[theloudbloke]

The manufacturers use special metrology/gauging machines to match the wheels and tyres and reduce the use of balence weights. This probably explains your situation.

 

[BMPete]

Thanks theloudbloke. Balanced the wheels today and found that they were pretty good. Front required 10 gm and Rear 20 gm. Just for info my tyres are probably about 50% worn and I do not have TPMs.

 

[TonyBBMW]

The manufacturers use special metrology/gauging machines to match the wheels and tyres and reduce the use of balence weights. This probably explains your situation.

The Wheels and Tyres are but do you have any information as to it including the TPMs? Every time I have new tyres, the balance weights are opposite the TPMs

 

[Our Gee]

Interesting subject Pete, I have never seen any mention of wheel balance tolerances in any BMW literature before. Having a look at the rear wheel on my Twin Cam I see that there is 55 grams of lead roughly opposite the Tyre Pressure Sensor position. This is after fitting of a pair of Roadsmarts. Incidently, when I had tyres fitted to my previous Hexhead I noticed that there wasn't any weights fitted to the rear. I asked why and the bloke said "Ya don't balance shaft drive rears mate". I took the wheel to my BMW dealer who checked the balance for me, found it to be well out and fitted plenty of lead to bring it into spec. Never been back to that particular Tyre Shop since.

 

[BMPete]

Interesting subject Pete, I have never seen any mention of wheel balance tolerances in any BMW literature before. Having a look at the rear wheel on my Twin Cam I see that there is 55 grams of lead roughly opposite the Tyre Pressure Sensor position. This is after fitting of a pair of Roadsmarts. Incidently, when I had tyres fitted to my previous Hexhead I noticed that there wasn't any weights fitted to the rear. I asked why and the bloke said "Ya don't balance shaft drive rears mate". I took the wheel to my BMW dealer who checked the balance for me, found it to be well out and fitted plenty of lead to bring it into spec. Never been back to that particular Tyre Shop since.

Hi Yup must admit I too have not seen wheel balance tolerances before but found those stated in the BMW workshop manual. The question of rear wheel balancing comes up regularly and I have often heard tyre fitters say that there is no need to balance rear wheels. My opinion is thats bollocks ! Probably did not have an adapter for the rear so was unable to balance and gave you the motor industry excuse " No need mate ". I quite like "They all do that Sir". Any rotating mass thats out of balance is going to exert forces that must be bad for wheel bearings etc. You may not feel an out of balance rear but thats not the point. After all you balance all wheels on a car. I think you did the right thing getting yours checked.

I do not have TPMs but if they are fitted then maybe BMW should balance the wheels with a permanent internal weight to counteract the weight of the TPMs. Just a thought.

 

[Our Gee]

I do not have TPMs but if they are fitted then maybe BMW should balance the wheels with a permanent internal weight to counteract the weight of the TPMs. Just a thought.[/QUOTE]

Good idea Pete. Incidently when I had my wheel "check balanced" by my BMW Dealer they did it free of charge. Top marks to Paul Sharman.

 

[Nelster]

I have tried these in my Pajero & V-strom, well pleased with the product and service.

 

[Nelster]

http://www.dynabeads.co.uk/

 

[theloudbloke]

Don't have any specifics on this but I assume they will have the TPM device fitted to the wheel when they do the gauging. So that they woild have a stock of with and without to fit to the bikes on the production line.

 

[TonyBBMW]

Don't have any specifics on this but I assume....

Exactly, I don't suppose anybody has had a 'Wheel & TPS' only balanced? I would also like to 'assume' that when the balanced tyre is fitted to the balanced wheel BMW have the technology to do it accurately, hence. no balance weights when the bike is released from the factory. Unless somebody has conclusive evidence, we would be better 'assuming' the wheel isn't balanced on a new bike...

 

[theloudbloke]

My experience in this area is in car manufacture not motorcycle, if they do it the same way then it is quite possible that no weights are used, as they can match the wheels and tyres pretty well. Of course there are factors to take into account like volume of throughput of production, the more you have to make the better your choice to match up. You have to remember this is only a cost saving measure and not a value add activity.

There is another way...

How about phoning this number +49 (0)30-3396-0 and asking to speak with the Chef den Unruhen and ask him what they do. I'm sure that with typical German customer service, i.e. none, he'll be less than happy to assist you in your quest for knowledge.

Theloudbloke