Balancing wheels on the bike

Is it possible? ie: with the bike lifted off the ground and the wheels fitted to the bike (chain removed from the sprocket at the rear) will the wheels turn freely enough on the wheel bearings for gravity to expose a heavy spot in a tyre?

I know it would depend on how heavy the heavy spot is, but lets say 10 grams or more, significant enough to cause a vibration.

Assume free running and properly greased wheel bearings.

I'll try it at the weekend by sticking a 10 gram weight on a balanced wheel and see if it turns, until then, any thoughts?

Thanks

I couldn't, was ages ago, so cant remember which bike i tried it on. If you have success, ill be trying again.

No its not.

[yorkie_chris]

No, too much drag from dust seals and stuff.

[mikerj]

With completely worn out seals, very loose bearings, pads levered away from the discs and the chain removed etc. it might sort of work on the rear. On the front you have the additional drag of the speedo sensor.

[muzikill]

id be interested if someone can come up with a diy version of a wheel balancer. has anyone got a bought balancer that can give us insight into how it does the job? could we use the wheel axle rod as part of a diy version?

[maviczap]

ABBA do one, but you'd need to be doing a lot to justify the cost.

However it doesn't look too difficult to make something similar

http://www.abbastands.co.uk/product_details.asp?id=14

[Bibio]

wheel balancer is basically 2 cones a rod and some tiny low friction bearings. i have one and don't use it as i have found something else which works.

[yorkie_chris]

Set of axle stands and a socket extension through the bearings, works fine.

Originally Posted by Bibio

wheel balancer is basically 2 cones a rod and some tiny low friction bearings. i have one and don't use it as i have found something else which works.

So have I, it's called an electronic static and dynamic wheel balancing machine. Never could get it right the old way.