Does the Harbor Freight Motorcycle Tire Balancer REALLY Work?

[@hawkdsl]

I have the same one by someone else. We did an experiment, and had the shop balance one after I did it on the stand... They used the same weights, and in the same place. They work great. You just have to be patient. After awhile, it becomes second nature to do it. On a side note; Every single weight brand I've bought have rusted. Get a can of clear, and give them a light coat before use.

[@Ucmpigs]

@@hawkdsl that's a good tip! I was thinking of using some black touch up paint

[@BrewCityRider]

Nice, glad it worked out for you with that stand. Its kinda fun to do this. I bought the Bikemaster stand mainly because it doubles as a truing stand for my spoked wheels. I started mounting and balancing my own tires last year at 66 lol!

[@Ucmpigs]

I just loaned it to a co-worker who used it for the same thing. Yep, we got a few more good years in us! 👍

[@milovan8565]

I’m 67 and am about to try this. 😊

[@Ucmpigs]

@@milovan8565 nice!!!!

[@usedtobe188]

You can use making tape to temp hold the weights on while balancing. That way you can move them around and find the perfect placement (or add subtract weight) before locking them down

[@Ucmpigs]

That is a good point! Probably will do that next time.

[@ianstagg846]

I purchased 1 that came with the hub cone drilled off centre!!, contacted the store & was sent a complete new 1. Balanced the wheels on 750 Suzuki & No problems. It just takes a while to do, but at least you know it's done & you can redo it if you loose a wheel weight.

[@Ucmpigs]

Nice! Yeah I've never had a problem with HF tools. You can take it right back to the store. Super pleased with this tool.

[@RoadGlideAndy]

I just did this not long ago. I did run beads in my last set of tires and seemed to get better mileage. Tip fir your weights I used some masking tape to feel out how many I needed and once I found out I pealed the tape

[@Ucmpigs]

I just peeled half the tape. Worked out pretty good.

[@tomedgar4375]

The beads will mask a tire starting to fail. Got talked into them once, never again

[@tomedgar4375]

The bearings on the unit I bought from HF have too much resistance. Looking for a set quality USA made bearings

[@RoadReality]

That worked well! Good on ya for doing your own maintenance!

[@Ucmpigs]

So far....😂

[@KrakensGarageandAdventures]

I have thought about this very tire balancer many times. At the end of the day, I was done with changing tires and busted knuckles. I tip my lid to anyone who changes and balances their own tires.

[@Ucmpigs]

It was not too bad this time. Minimal knuckles busted.

[@ralphcantrell3214]

I am about to watch the video, but first I'd like to say that I have probably mounted over 250 motorcycle tires in the last 50 years, and balanced at least 100 of them since acquiring my Harbor Freight Tire balancer, somewhere around 15 or 20 years ago. Mine is similar to this one in most ways, but has no sort of built-in leveler. I have always used Motion Pro stick-on weights, and I buy them in large quantities. I have balanced everything from big Harley road bike tires, to 50cc trail bike tires and everything in between. This includes tires for sport bikes, trail bikes, motocross bikes, adventure bikes, standards, dual sports, cruisers - you name it. I have ridden on these tires in every possible scenario and situation, at speeds up to 160 MPH, and I have never experienced a single problem relating to an out of balance tire or wheel. I thought a few of them took an unusual amount of weight, but they did eventually balance out, and that certainly is not the fault of the balancer. I just thought I would lay that out there. ☝🧐 Edit: I have now watched it, and can say that I am not nearly as meticulous as you at balancing the balancer and centering the wheel on the axle. Experience has taught me that, at least with my particular balancer, close is good enough. Thanks for the video. 👍

[@Ucmpigs]

Nice! Sounds like you are a pro! 🙌 Yeah, I tend to overthink sometimes🤣 so far the balance is perfect! Thanks for watching!

[@ralphcantrell3214]

@@Ucmpigs Thanks for the video.

[@frankeszes3062]

Nice job!

[@Ucmpigs]

Thanks!

[@truckinbiker]

That definitely seems likes it worth the money. Been looking at the same balancer

[@Ucmpigs]

Fifty bucks...if it doesn't rust up sitting on the shelf it should be good to go for next time

[@northbysoutheast5439]

My tire guy uses a static balancer and I’ve never complained. 😎👍👍🇺🇸

[@Ucmpigs]

Yeah, so far so good.

[@mudcatstravels9751]

I’ve at least 20 sets of tires on one just like this. Works great for me.

[@Ucmpigs]

Nice! Pretty decent investment.

[@athrottleholic]

👍🏻 great video! 🤜🏻💥🤛🏻

[@Ucmpigs]

Appreciate it! 😎

[@athrottleholic]

@ yes sir!

[@jdreyno1958]

Great job!

[@Ucmpigs]

Thanks!

[@ScottMiller-tu3gg]

I just bought the same jacket, how do you like yours?

[@Ucmpigs]

The Kemimoto? I love it. I commute all winter and nice and toasty. Even in the mid 30's. I even take a 4 hour trip every Feb and it keeps me nice and warm.

[@ScottMiller-tu3gg]

@@Ucmpigs Thanks! Good to know! Great video by the way!

[@BikesBeardsAndBrews]

no no sir, it's Hobo Freight, Blue Bike and Doyle is judging you right now lol. Great tutorial my dude. I always wondered how tires were balanced

[@Ucmpigs]

Magic!!!

[@dictumfactum9468]

I just saw them on sale at Hobo Fright for $43 (inside track). Might pull the trigger.

[@Ucmpigs]

Nice! Tis the season!

[@darrinclem2502]

Use a paint marker on the weights

[@Ucmpigs]

Yeah, or brake dust🤣🤣

[@ACECafeBikes]

You don't have to go Wheel of Fortune on this ❤💪

[@Ucmpigs]

🤣🤣 it will spin forever

[@xanbiker]

I used to do it all myself, the older I get I let someone else do it especially if I have to get on the ground to do it. Heck can't even change the battery in my SUV they have it so hidden away.

[@Ucmpigs]

🤣 I have a nice bench but it constantly is covered with stuff🤣

[@jerrylong381]

I feel you, brother. Every year the gravity gets stronger and I have to make more noise to get up. I guess it's like martial arts where you holler to direct your energy. Cheers

[@ecowboy77]

You may want to break out the sharpie on those wheel weights..

[@Ucmpigs]

I thought about that. Doesn't look too bad.

[@archasaurus]

Very informative. I still think I'd rather pay my local store to professionally do it.

[@Ucmpigs]

@@archasaurus thank you sir! It's not for everyone. For me the next best thing to riding is working on the bike.

[@kennethschauer1801]

It works fantastic, 115 mph no problem

[@Ucmpigs]

Nice! He means on the track officer 😂 I ran it up to 90 and smooth as a silk.

[@nomoreblahblah]

What do you think about checking the motorcycle tire balance after 2000 miles? Costco checks and, if necessary, rebalance my car tires "free of charge" every 7500 miles. Might extend the life of the motorcycle tire?

[@Ucmpigs]

If you have the time and resources sure. It's pretty obvious when a motorcycle tire is out of balance. Pretty much a check every time you ride.

[@nomoreblahblah]

@@Ucmpigs Of course one would notice if the tire was out of balance by noticeable vibration. My thinking was to do it as a maintenance item, like car tires. Second thought most people don't get their tires checked for balance until the vibration is noticeable. Usually, by that time it's too late for the tire and how it affected the wheel hub bearing assembly.

[@larrynorsworthy8582]

I use one.

[@Ucmpigs]

@@larrynorsworthy8582 I'll definitely do it again.

[@TheCyberMantis]

Just spray paint the weights black. That's what I do.

[@Ucmpigs]

Brake dust will darken them😯

[@NVARider]

🤘

[@Ucmpigs]

🖖👍

[@dabishop9060]

👍💯

[@Ucmpigs]

🖖👍

[@shaun8256]

Seriously what is the point of that, you have the most accurate mount to ballance a wheel right on your bike!

[@Ucmpigs]

I've heard of people doing it on the bike but, the wheel is off anyway and a stand will be more accurate. Not to mention if you are running a belt on the rear you would have to install without the belt then remove the wheel again to slip the belt on...$49 is pretty cheap😂

[@BryTheBiker]

❤🦈🦈

[@Ucmpigs]

🦇🦇

[@MinnowMoto]

You make that look way too easy. This kinda looks like a project I would take on, except changing those tires. PITA.

[@Ucmpigs]

Pretty straightforward. Easy day 😄

[@robholman9414]

🥳🥳🥳

[@Ucmpigs]

👊✊🐤

[@heritage_cowboy6568]

👊😎🤘

[@Ucmpigs]

🖖👍

[@ccgrider1014]

This is the same method that is used on motorcycle race tracks, so...

[@Ucmpigs]

I saw that in my research. A lot of videos with track bikes. Sometimes simple is the way.

[@scottkinkead6324]

A balancer is a balancer if it doesn't work it's on you

[@Ucmpigs]

True. For the price this one is a pretty good deal.

[@MarkTomaszewski-mu6bg]

For you Harley guys it'll work fine. You're only going 70mph anyway.

[@Ucmpigs]

70???? That's crazy..🤣🤣...but true

[@MarcOppelt]

Silver weights, black rims...Black Sharpie. Problem solved.

[@Ucmpigs]

I was thinking the same. I'll probably just leave it and wait for the brake dust to build up😂

[@dennispasquale7291]

how to balance a tire ?somebody has to make a video people watch this s--t?

[@Ucmpigs]

Well...thanks for watching 😂😂

[@JBK647]

It helped me understand how to do it, so there's that. We don't all posess the same skills or understanding.

[@Ucmpigs]

@JBK647 that's what it's all about. Thanks. Some folks just have to poo on stuff. Bless their heart🤣

[@TheBlueBikeDoyle]

Good job 👏

[@Ucmpigs]

Thanks!🖖