Wheel Balancing

[bobs_one]

So, I've decided to start doing my own tire replacements and balancing. I've been doing them for years on dirt bikes, so I figure it can't be much different on the bigger bikes. I managed to scoop up a used No Mar machine, so I think I'm really well prepared now - except ...

I have a balancing/truing stand that I use for the dirt bikes and which is big enough for the BMW wheels. I think (haven't tried yet) that the mounting cones on the balancer will work fine on the front wheels, but I think I need some kind of adapter for the rear wheel? Would it be the same adapter for my 2014 RT and for my 2017 GSA (spoked wheels)?

I looked at the Marc Parnes website. Is his BA12 the right adapter? Are there other choices/sources?

 

[cap]

...I looked at the Marc Parnes website. Is his BA12 the right adapter? ...

I have a Marc Parnes. For my wethead RT, I bought the BG12 kit with two cones and an adapter for the rear wheel.

http://www.marcparnes.com/BMW_Motorcycle_Wheel_Balancer.htm#BG13

 

[lee]

Looking at his site that appears to be the correct rear wheel adapter.

 

[Boxflyer]

Hello,
Yes, the BA12 is the correct rear wheel adaptor for both bikes you asked about.

I have the No-Mar balancer with plastic cones, stand and all the adaptors and find it not as usable/consistent as the Marc Parnes setup.

If you plan to UP your involvement by doing all your tire changes yourself with the No-Mar, I'd highly recommend getting the correct setup from Marc Parnes.

This is the kit (BG12) I started with and have added some other rear wheel adaptors for R1100 and K1600 over the years.

 

[SkyPilot82]

Wheel Balancing Beads...

I had my tires replaced this past summer before a long ride. They talked me into using Balancing Beads instead of the usual weights. That was the smoothest 1,800 mile trip! I've been extremely pleased. That is just a thought.....

Jon
2016 R1200RT

 

[coachz]

I had my tires replaced this past summer before a long ride. They talked me into using Balancing Beads instead of the usual weights. That was the smoothest 1,800 mile trip! I've been extremely pleased. That is just a thought.....

Jon
2016 R1200RT

Can you share which particular brand of beads you used?

I've had the Marc Parnes setup for a year now and have used it for four sets of tires so far and it's been great

 

[pglaves]

I had my tires replaced this past summer before a long ride. They talked me into using Balancing Beads instead of the usual weights. That was the smoothest 1,800 mile trip! I've been extremely pleased. That is just a thought.....

Jon
2016 R1200RT

I had beads in a tire once - a long story as to why - and they helped an unbalanced tire until we were at the finish of the Iron But Rally, parked for a couple of days of triple digit temperatures. The combination of rubber dust and clumped together beads caused the worst imbalance situation for a couple of days until the clump broke apart and we reached cooler temperatures. My experience is they sort of work most of the time.

 

[ccolwell]

Email Marc. He responded to me quickly on that very question. It is a BG12 for my 1250.