Modern Vespa

I just bought the wheel balancer from harbor freight, Now I need some weights, Where would I find them? I'm sure a M/C shop would have some but they always charge more. I suppose I could drill a small hole in the rim?

Harbor Freight has them.

Don't understand, please enlighten me.

He is thinking of removing some rim material a little at a time to get it to balance.

Since it sounds like something I might try that is what I am guessing...and since it sounds like something I might try probably not a good idea.

It doesn't hurt to think about stuff like that but it might be a little to far out of the box to actually try.

It is the tire that is out of balance not the rim.

Reminds me of the old joke about the guys that go fishing in the rented dinghy and find a great spot in the lake, they are pulling them in left and right.

First guy says this is a great spot we need to remember it so the second guy takes a big breath and sticks his head under and marks a big X on the bottom of the boat.

When he comes back up the first guy says you idiot, how do you know if we will get the same boat next time?

You're doing this on your GTS? How are you securing the vespa wheel on the rod? Show a picture please. I ordered 1/4 oz weights off ebay.

stick on wheel weights you can order them from almost anywhere. or you can go to your nearest tire shop and have them get them for you. they come in strips of 7gr segments. most are steel weights now days but you can still get the lead ones.

Do not drill the rim. It's the tire that is going to be the primary unbalanced component. Changing tire would mean drill the rim again - ouch

So drill a hole in the tire.

Scooter wheel balance---easy way, and works,too---"Ride On", not cheap but works well, might even provide a little sealing if nail, etc gets in tread area, has worked for me with both big and little wheels.....no monkeying with wheel weights!.

You could cut extra tread grooves I guess.

I'm in the scootertyresdontneedbalancing club so why not?

I want to see that embroidered across the back of your riding jacket

My scooter club is pretty unbalanced for sure.

But if you left the club then I've no doubt it would become balanced again

You think there are other people in my club?

not more than those accompanying you in your head eh?

Just google "balancing weights for wheels" and you should find plenty of options.

And never touch that rim.

I'm trying to balance it with these tapered nuts that came with the wheel balancer from harbor freight

A washer on this side works perfectly

wont the washer the way you have it cause you to be not centred? also thats an unusual place for the weights

Re weights placement

Indeed, usually done not on the outside of the rim and also all weights should be close together.

Here's an easy and short tutorial about static motorcycle tire balancing:

wont the washer the way you have it cause you to be not centred?
Yes, that is the problem I need advice on. The washer is about 1/10 of an inch too small, Is there another way to do this?

I use the Marc Parnes wheel balancer. Perfect fit for Vespa wheels.

http://www.marcparnes.com/Vespa_Scooter_Wheel_Balancer.htm

I use Motion Pro 3.5gr stick on weights from Cycle Gear. I put them on the inside rim of the wheel near the center, not the outside flange.

It is possible that both the wheel and tire could be out of balance, but it really doesn't matter. They will have to be rebalanced every time you replace the tire anyway.

Ride-On is good stuff. I no longer put it in a tire to begin with. I carry a couple of bottles with me, and if I have a flat, then I will put a bottle in, and it will almost always seal the puncture, after removing whatever cause it in the first place.

I'm going to have to say, "HELL NO".

I usually wash my rim when installing weights. Plus, it's easier to wash when it's off the bike.

I was being facetious about drilling the hole in the rim.

Marc Parnes wheel balancer is not available until the end of the month. He is enjoying a 3 week vacation and riding through Europe

Marc Parnes Wheel Balance Video Demonstration

What a laugh we had...

I sent Tony my marc parnes tool and some new lead weight strips, he should be good to go ny the weekend.