Flat Tire

[paper]

I said the old wheel weighs balanced a new tire of a different brand?  I asked them to re-spin the tire and they said no need as it spun zero (perfect balance the first time).  Ok.... 

Last change about a year ago I was charged $94 for my Grandvista and I brought the wheels and tires in!

I've gotten into the practice of balancing rims before installing tires. I've found quality tires are currently made so well that balancing is seldom needed. I check them, but it's not very often that I need to add even a 1/4 oz. Michelin, Bridgestone, and Metzelers are often spot on, tire after tire.

$94 for mounting? Yikes!!! I understand prices like that if they're having a tough time getting the beads to seat, which is often the case with scooter size tires. If they end up using a couple guys for an hour of sweating and swearing, $94 is a fair price for the labor involved. For cheap people like myself I just do it myself. For seating I've made a valve and a hose that I press onto the valve stem so I can flood the inside of tire with air to get the beads to at least get close to seating.

[mrbios]

... made so well that balancing is seldom needed.

$94 for mounting? Yikes!!!

The motorcycle tire was a Dunlap so maybe it didn't need to be rebalanced.  The $94 was for 0.75 hrs of labor - the guy installed the tires while I waited in the waiting room.  The service desk said they charge by the hour at a rete of ~ $100 / hr. 

... For seating I've made a valve and a hose that I press onto the valve stem so I can flood the inside of tire with air to get the beads to at least get close to seating. :

)

I need to make something like this.  I resorted to using a ratcheting strap around the circumference of the tire and use that to force the bead on each side to the edge of the tire, then put aire in.

[paper]

The air valve is just a simple ball valve with hose barbs on it. One side has an air chuck to go on the air hose, and the other is just open to be held over the valve stem. It doesn't always work, and sometimes rachet straps must also be used..

[bluesin]

I invested in a 4 year warranty on my tires ( and People 250S that Hubby now has ) . Have replaced mine twice in last year . Warranty is good as many times as needed for the 4 years ( unlimited tires) and replaced Hubbys' once ) . Well worth $100.00 investment. My dealer is less than 5 miles from me .