Motorcycle Tire Balancing Procedure

Balancing the tire only takes a few minutes and tools you probably already own.  Having a properly balanced tire makes your bike ride more smoothly and your tire wear in an even fashion.  In addition, if you balance tires the way I do, you end up inspecting your wheel bearings at the same time so you're killing two birds with one stone.

Tools required:

A pair of jackstands
Some bearing grease
Wheel weights (stick-on or spoke-type)
Masking tape
Chalk (optional)
Piece of string and a nut (also optional)

    * Adjust the jackstands all the way to the top and set the wheel (with axle) across them.

    * Spin the tire, checking for freedom of movement, grease/replace bearings if necessary.

    * Let the tire settle, the heavy spot will settle to the bottom, plus or minus friction induced by the wheel bearing.

    * Turn the wheel 90 degrees clockwise and release; As the tire settles, take the string and tie it to the nut, making a plumb bob.  Hold it up in front of the tire, in line with the axle. Mark the top of the tire with the chalk or a small piece of tape, or just guesstimate if you don't have one.

    * Turn the wheel 90 degrees counter-clockwise and let it settle again. Repeat the process of marking the top of the tire.

    * Half-way between the two marks will be your light spot.  Mark this with your chalk or tape and remove the other marks.

    * Estimate the number of weights you'll need (3 or 4 1/4oz weights usually does it) and tape them to the rim at the light spot.

    * Turn the wheel 90 degrees so that the weights are on the 3 or 9 o'clock position of the tire.  If the tire stays where it is when you let go, you have it right.  If not, adjust the number of weights until it stays put.

    * Once you know how many weights you need, fix them in place, in the usual manner.

    * Re-pack your bearings since you're already looking at them.