Lost weight (to smile)

[Ruffus]

No no, not what you think.
I'm still the same.
BUT, all of a sudden my pride and joy (Like 200i) started bucking. Not really like a mustang but its front wheel had tendency to liberalism, which was stated by a rather uncivilized behavior.

Okay, stopped and got on my knees in front of my dear ride, and, there was no balancing weight on its rim anymore. Check and doublecheck, nothing.

Well, for it was already close to 5.00 p.m. l just asked for an next days appointment at my favorite scooter workshop.
Grace was granted and l should be there about 9:30 a.m.
Went home, put her on he scooter lift...
wheel out ....
Next morning 0930 sharp l showed up by bycicle with my scoots frontwheel carrying.

The mechanic put his forehead in folds and told me: "This scoot has an axle diameter of 12mm, and our balancers axle has 14mm, so l won't be able to balance it".
"But you know what, l'll give you a bar of sticky weights and you balance your wheel at home".

This was exactely what l (not) wanted to hear.
Since there was/is no other scooter shop in bycicle ride distance, l took off home.

Set up sawhorses, check weight and counterweight, and finally did a test-ride which was incredible smooth, nearly gliding.
Like l wrote in the header, this should just make you laugh or smile.

[Stig / Major Tom]

I've had 3 different tires on the front of my LIKE200iLX, including the cheap orig. Kenda - none of them were balanced and never had the issue you describe with your front end.
Poorly cast rim on your LIKE?, or?
Stig

[Iahawk]

Ruffus, nice work doing your own balancing!

Stig, I have heard of non balanced tires causing no problems..but I don't think I'd like to try my luck. My front tire, when replaced, was balanced at the motorcycle shop with a number of little weights. That tells me I'd get a little extra shaking at speed if not balanced.

[Neil955i]

Yep, my tyre guy always balances mine too. Nice work Ruffus, was it trial & error or a bit more scientific for you?


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[Ruffus]

@Stig,
.hmmh..don't really know, for the tire is a HEIDENAU, so it could be as you said, this cast rim, which l got from this motorwrecked LIKE 125s.
@Neil,
yes, it was trial and error for me. I did know theoretically how to do it but out of lazyness never did balancing on my own. Was fun and finally worked out.
This is the great thing of being retired, it does not matter whether it takes you 15 minutes or 150 minutes to finish a certain challenge.

[Neil955i]

@Stig,
.hmmh..don't really know, for the tire is a HEIDENAU, so it could be as you said, this cast rim, which l got from this motorwrecked LIKE 125s.
@Neil,
yes, it was trial and error for me. I did know theoretically how to do it but out of lazyness never did balancing on my own. Was fun and finally worked out.
This is the great thing of being retired, it does not matter whether it takes you 15 minutes or 150 minutes to finish a certain challenge.

Retirement, wish I’d had it in my 30’s!

Only kidding, I enjoyed the vast majority of my working life and retirement feels earned after 40+ years of graft.


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[Stig / Major Tom]

Ruffus, nice work doing your own balancing!

Stig, I have heard of non balanced tires causing no problems..but I don't think I'd like to try my luck. My front tire, when replaced, was balanced at the motorcycle shop with a number of little weights. That tells me I'd get a little extra shaking at speed if not balanced.

I would like to hear from anyone who has found wheel weights on their new scooter.
I've had a new Honda Forza, Suzuki Burgman, Kymco LIKE and a Piaggio....and none of them have come with any wheel weights on them.
Obviously (static) home balancing isn't too accurate - so I guess I'd go with the beads in the tires if I was very concerned.

Just sayin'

Stig

[Ruffus]

@Stig,
yes, makes me think. I also never saw weights on brandnew motorcycles. Could be the more precise rotating and mounting at the factory.
Like John mentioned several times, those beads, which are not so common here, might be a solution to go too.

[FJTRoy]

Obviously (static) home balancing isn't too accurate - so I guess I'd go with the beads in the tires if I was very concerned.

 ? yes, Static balancing is very accurate!   I can't say I've ever even noticed a difference vs. dynamic balancing. If your wheel bearings are good you can balance down to +/- 5 grams & don't even need a balancing stand for the front wheels. Of course, you must use a stand to balance the solid rear wheel

.. but of course you have to know what the hell you're doing

[Stig / Major Tom]

.. but of course you have to know what the hell you're doing

and as that old scooter riding kid from the wrong side of the cart path in Stratford-upon-Avon, Bill Shakespeare, used to say ...."ay--- there's the rub!"

Major Tom

[Ruffus]

@FJTRoy,
think l might just for fun balance my rear wheel too, next time its off for some reason.
And yes, l do believe too, static (home) balancing, gives a good result.
As you stated, if you know what you do and your wheel bearings and brake discs are in order.

[Neil955i]

Apropos nothing at all to do with scooters, I had new tyres fitted to the wife’s Range Rover recently and was told while balancing one wheel that it was buckled!

Says something about the state of our pot-holed roads [emoji853]


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[Stig / Major Tom]

Apropos nothing at all to do with scooters, I had new tyres fitted to the wife’s Range Rover recently and was told while balancing one wheel that it was buckled!

Says something about the state of our pot-holed roads [emoji853]


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When paved roads are damaging a 'Rover.....
I'd email the Queen! She needs to know that her Rover mates are suffering.

Stig

[FJTRoy]

l might just for fun balance my rear wheel too, next time its off

right on...  remember, there are no bearings in the rear wheel. so you WILL need a balancing stand.

I have one of these... love it.  usually about $40

 *it is possible to get a smaller axle shaft (like 10mm)  w/cones for use on smaller wheels/bearings

[Ruffus]

@FJTRoy
[..right on...  remember, there are no bearings in the rear wheel. so you WILL need a balancing stand]

...thanks, will keep that in mind.