Using beads for balancing

OldSchool · 01-02-2015, 05:36 PM

I've been hearing and reading some on using beads in the tire to balance the tires instead of the outer weights. Being " Old School", I'm a bit leery of using this technique. Like to get some opinions on which is the better to use. Also I see where most of these beads are ceramic. Don't these turn themselves into powder over time due to friction ?

recumbentbob · 01-02-2015, 06:03 PM

I've used Dynabeads for over 4 years, they work great.
When I change tires they are still little ceramic beads no powder.

usranger74 · 06-17-2015, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recumbentbob

I've used Dynabeads for over 4 years, they work great.
When I change tires they are still little ceramic beads no powder.

What he said

Vulcan Bill · 06-18-2015, 09:26 AM

The only problem I ever had with Dynabeads is when a tire installer slopped so much soap/water lubricant on the tire to install it he got water inside the tire. As it dried the beads clumped up and the tire was way out of balance at highway speed. My first clue was when I decided to let all the air out and re-inflate it thinking maybe the bead wasn't seated. As the tire flattened out water trickled out of the bead down the sidewall. I was not a happy camper.

**GIBBY** · 01-02-2015, 06:06 PM

I have been using Dynabeads for 4 years and will NEVER go back to conventional weight balancing.
You are correct, they are ceramic but do not turn to dust during use. Google dynamic tire balancing for a complete explanation. I have not had a cupped tire since using dynabeads and I go thru 2 sets of tires a year. I'm sold.

dshelly · 01-02-2015, 06:25 PM

Me too. I started using them a couple years ago. Love em. They don't fall off or need rebalancing . Each time I change tires I salvage what I can, weigh them up and dump them back in.

Vulcan Bill · 01-02-2015, 06:33 PM

Another Dynabeads convert here. Very smooth front end ride with these but I did read somewhere on the Dynabeads website that your not supposed to use them in tires with a sidewall smaller than 65mm so I have my 180/65-16 rear tire balanced with weights. I might just try the beads in my next rear tire though.

Sin City Stan · 01-02-2015, 06:55 PM

Another convert but I've moved on from Dynabeads to Airsoft BBs.

Snake Ranch · 01-02-2015, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sin City Stan

Another convert but I've moved on from Dynabeads to Airsoft BBs.

What are the Airsoft BB's made of?

BigRat · 01-02-2015, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snake Ranch

What are the Airsoft BB's made of?

I am pretty sure they are plastic and a larger size than DynaBeads, so you have to put them in during installation, and not through the stem.

I have also used DynaBeads for a good long time now. There are sellers on Ebay who sell the same product, cheaper. I believe they are actually "ceramic polishing media" like might be used in an ultrasonic brass polisher. (?)

Sin City Stan · 01-05-2015, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRat

I am pretty sure they are plastic and a larger size than DynaBeads, so you have to put them in during installation, and not through the stem.

I have also used DynaBeads for a good long time now. There are sellers on Ebay who sell the same product, cheaper. I believe they are actually "ceramic polishing media" like might be used in an ultrasonic brass polisher. (?)

They are plastic. They are larger. They are not expelled or get caught in the valve when checking/adding air to the tire.

roadhawg · 06-17-2015, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sin City Stan

Another convert but I've moved on from Dynabeads to Airsoft BBs.

I am gettin tired of cupping tires!
Can I put these BB s in tires thru the valve stem without removing tire?

id-man · 06-17-2015, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadhawg

I am gettin tired of cupping tires!
Can I put these BB s in tires thru the valve stem without removing tire?

Yes that's the beauty they can be added any time. They are truly a pain in the butt to get in through the valve stem...even using something to vibrate the stem as you pour it's a slow tedious process. But totally worth it. I had chronic front wheel vibration at high speed till I added a couple ounces, my bike has been perfect every since.

Sin City Stan · 06-17-2015, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadhawg

I am gettin tired of cupping tires!
Can I put these BB s in tires thru the valve stem without removing tire?

Dyna-Beads - Yes. Air-Soft BBs - No.

Vulcan Bill · 06-17-2015, 11:37 AM

To each their own but I don't see why someone would use something not made for this purpose when you can get the real thing for under $10.

01-02-2015, 05:36 PM	#1
OldSchool Sr. Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Ballwin,MO. Posts: 1,542	Using beads for balancing I've been hearing and reading some on using beads in the tire to balance the tires instead of the outer weights. Being " Old School", I'm a bit leery of using this technique. Like to get some opinions on which is the better to use. Also I see where most of these beads are ceramic. Don't these turn themselves into powder over time due to friction ? __________________ Login or Register to Remove Ads
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01-02-2015, 06:03 PM	#2
recumbentbob Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newburgh IN Posts: 3,404	I've used Dynabeads for over 4 years, they work great. When I change tires they are still little ceramic beads no powder. __________________ VBA #01084 "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
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06-18-2015, 09:26 AM	#4
Vulcan Bill Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Mesa Az Posts: 1,400	The only problem I ever had with Dynabeads is when a tire installer slopped so much soap/water lubricant on the tire to install it he got water inside the tire. As it dried the beads clumped up and the tire was way out of balance at highway speed. My first clue was when I decided to let all the air out and re-inflate it thinking maybe the bead wasn't seated. As the tire flattened out water trickled out of the bead down the sidewall. I was not a happy camper. __________________ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- '05 1600CL. Originator 18" Harley wheel mod, Dobeck TFI, True Duals, Mutazu hardbags, Flanders handlebars n' a bunch more. *Sometimes I miss the good ol' days but most times I'm just glad I survived them*
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01-02-2015, 06:06 PM	#5
GIBBY Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Osceola,WI Posts: 3,083	I have been using Dynabeads for 4 years and will NEVER go back to conventional weight balancing. You are correct, they are ceramic but do not turn to dust during use. Google dynamic tire balancing for a complete explanation. I have not had a cupped tire since using dynabeads and I go thru 2 sets of tires a year. I'm sold. __________________ Mike "GIBBY" Gibson Osceola, WI VBA # 1279 2011 National Rally 2012 NCR Rally 2012 Antlers Rally 2013 National Rally 2013 Antlers Rally 2014 NC/SC Rally 2014 Antlers Rally 2015 VRA/VBA Rally 2016 NCR Rally 2016 Antlers Rally 2017 Antlers Rally 2018 NC/SC Rally 2018 Antlers Rally 2019 Antlers Rally 2020 Antlers Rally 2022 Antlers Rally 2023 Antlers Rally 2021 Indian Roadmaster Limited 2022 Indian Roadmaster Login or Register to Remove Ads
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01-02-2015, 06:25 PM	#6
dshelly Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgrade, MT Posts: 2,824	Me too. I started using them a couple years ago. Love em. They don't fall off or need rebalancing . Each time I change tires I salvage what I can, weigh them up and dump them back in. __________________ Dave "(dshelly)" Shellenberger 2014 Harley Ultra Classic 2007 1600 Nomad (Black) Shellenberger Machine Belgrade, MT Various Bagger Member (Harley Chapter) VBA # 2395
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01-02-2015, 06:33 PM	#7
Vulcan Bill Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Mesa Az Posts: 1,400	Another Dynabeads convert here. Very smooth front end ride with these but I did read somewhere on the Dynabeads website that your not supposed to use them in tires with a sidewall smaller than 65mm so I have my 180/65-16 rear tire balanced with weights. I might just try the beads in my next rear tire though. __________________ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- '05 1600CL. Originator 18" Harley wheel mod, Dobeck TFI, True Duals, Mutazu hardbags, Flanders handlebars n' a bunch more. *Sometimes I miss the good ol' days but most times I'm just glad I survived them*
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01-02-2015, 06:55 PM	#8
Sin City Stan Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 3,746	Another convert but I've moved on from Dynabeads to Airsoft BBs. __________________ Oldest Saloon In Nevada http://www.pioneersaloon.info/ "Sin City Stan" Henderson, NV VBA #01004 VROC #29365 2004 Nomad 1500L5 +100 "The Bike" 2009 Nomad 1700 (past) 2004 Vulcan Classic 800 (past) 2010 Cortez - 2011 Crescent City - 2012 Kanab - 2013 Estes Park
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06-17-2015, 11:37 AM	#15
Vulcan Bill Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Mesa Az Posts: 1,400	To each their own but I don't see why someone would use something not made for this purpose when you can get the real thing for under $10. __________________ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- '05 1600CL. Originator 18" Harley wheel mod, Dobeck TFI, True Duals, Mutazu hardbags, Flanders handlebars n' a bunch more. *Sometimes I miss the good ol' days but most times I'm just glad I survived them*
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