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7873jake
Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - 09:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Just received a set of Continental Motions (for about a song) and wanted to mount them this weekend, work permitting.

Noticed that there are no marks/dots on the tires for where the valve stems should be when mounted. Other tires I've mounted have had that handy little 'cheater' dot.

Any thoughts or insight?
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Swampy
Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - 09:58 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Look on the inside of the tire.

Or it means the tire is perfect....
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7873jake
Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - 10:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I noticed a couple of stickers inside of the tires that were clustered together but seemed random otherwise by virtue of the fact that they appear to have been stuck on by a Malaysian drunk monkey. I will have to see when I mark them up and mount them.
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Electraglider_1997
Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 08:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Check balance of the unshod wheel before putting on the Conti because the stem isn't necessarily the heavy spot. Isn't on my 2010 rear wheel.
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Someday
Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 08:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Ditto what Electraglider said even on the stock '08 wheels.
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Dr_greg
Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 10:53 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

In my observation, the "dots" have gone away. Haven't seen one on a new tire in years.

--Doc
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Electraglider_1997
Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 11:30 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm sure it has more to do with cutting a step out of the manufacturing process than it does in providing perfectly balanced tires. They probably figure we need to balance them anyways. I'd rather have the dot back to give me a balancing starting point. As it is, without the light point you may start heavy to heavy and then end oup maximizing the wheel weights which is not so great.

(Message edited by electraglider_1997 on November 17, 2011)
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Rwcfrank
Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 11:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

This is a big help to me.

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/tire-tyre-gu ide/Tire-TyreTech.htm
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Uly_man
Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 11:55 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I was once told that bike rubber used to be partly hand made but they are all machine made now, which would give a closer balanced tyre.

If I remember right the "dot" was to mount opposite the valve stem as that was the heavy side but you still needed to balance the whole wheel.

I can not remember the last time I have seen these on bike rubber and I buy mine and have them fitted to loose wheels.

I do not balance the rear and not had a problem myself. Rubber seems to have got a lot better over the last ten years and cheaper as well. I am still amazed at how good the 2CTs are. I can not fault them in any way on the road with the Uly.
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Reepicheep
Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 12:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The scorpion syncs had dots still. The PR2's didn't.
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Motorbike
Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 01:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My new Pirelli Angel Rear has a dot which the bike shop lined up to the valve stem on my new 2010 wheel. It took 4 small stick-on tape weights to balance, which is about 3 times what the stock Strada had. I'm not so sure if the dot should be lined up with anything on these Buells.

I asked the mechanic if he could try rotating the tire 180 degrees to decrease the number of weights. He just laughed and said that is real good compared to some he has seen. I took it home and painted the weights to match the wheel. Hardly noticeable now. I would still rather have fewer weights but am not willing to have the shop scratch my wheel if they re-do it. Thanks.
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Rwcfrank
Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 03:58 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I found the red dot on my Syncs was the heavy spot and had to rotate it 180 to minimize my use of wheel weights. Go figure, it is supposed to be adjacent to the valve stem which would indicate its supposed to be the light part of the tire.
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7873jake
Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 04:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Ahhhh, it all gets as clear as mud the farther along this goes.
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Bobbuell1961
Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 06:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

On Buell wheels you do not put the dot at the valve stem, Instead there is a dot on the inside of the wheel , put the dot on the tire 180 degrees from this dot is the way to go.
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Blake
Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 08:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Bob's right.
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Skifastbadly
Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 08:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Bob's your uncle.
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Rwcfrank
Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 09:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

On Buell wheels you do not put the dot at the valve stem, Instead there is a dot on the inside of the wheel , put the dot on the tire 180 degrees from this dot is the way to go.
Why was that ^^^^ a secret? I went crazy trying to balance my wheels. WHat does the "dot" inside the wheel look like?

(Message edited by rwcfrank on November 17, 2011)
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7873jake
Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 10:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

on these Contis, the 'dot' is actually a sticker with an odd number/letter sequence. Of the four (2 per tire), one is round, the others are rectangle and all are within 1/2" of each other. They are under a translucent layer of something thus rendering them readable but inaccessible. They are very small. I still wonder if they are just a QC decal and I'm reading too much in to their presence.
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Blake
Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 11:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Dot on wheel is about a 5/16" dia round spot painted on the inside of the wheel. You'll see it easily.
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Electraglider_1997
Posted on Friday, November 18, 2011 - 09:12 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

So the dot is the heavy spot on the wheel. Now to only remember that next time I change tires. Also if tires are coming without a light spot dot then what does it matter if I know where the heavy spot on the Buell wheel is? If you had a deep pool of water and you put the new un-dotted tire into the pool (with no air pockets in the tire of course) would the tire suspend itself with the heavy spot at the lowest point, would the tire float, or would the tire just sink to the bottom of the pool. If it was cold out, would I try to retrieve the tire from the pool?
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Motorbike
Posted on Friday, November 18, 2011 - 09:22 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Let's see if I got this right: The dot on the Buell wheels is the heavy spot and the dot on the tire is also the heavy spot so they should be opposite of each other when correctly mounted?

I really wish I had known this when I replaced my 08 wheel with the 2010 setup. I needed a new tire at that time so it would have been an opportune time to sort this out. Obviously my independent motorcycle tire shop had no idea either, they lined up the dot on the tire with the valve stem. Thanks, I will put this in my file for next time.

I don't recall a dot on my new 2010 wheel but then again, I really wasn't looking for one. I still have my 08 wheel so I will look for the dot on that when I get home.
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Electraglider_1997
Posted on Friday, November 18, 2011 - 09:29 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Michelins that I've gotten the last couple of years didn't have dots.
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Bobbuell1961
Posted on Friday, November 18, 2011 - 11:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Why was that ^^^^ a secret?
I don't think it is, i think it's in the manuel, but then i don't have one in front of me
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Xbimmer
Posted on Friday, November 18, 2011 - 01:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Why was that ^^^^ a secret?
I don't think it is, i think it's in the manuel, but then i don't have one in front of me


That is correct. IIRC there is also a number I'm assuming represents ounces at that spot. Long ago I marked a corresponding black dot on the outside of each wheel to make sure the instructions were followed by whoever was mounting my tires.

Even with that the #@!*& who tore up my wheels last time did the front wheel correctly, but reversed the procedure on the rear. Rear wheel took 5 weights....
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Motorbike
Posted on Friday, November 18, 2011 - 09:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Well, I looked at my original 08 wheel tonight and there is indeed a dot with a number below it. I looked in my 08 XT factory service manual and it does not mention anything about a dot on the tire or wheel. I will definitely try putting the dot on the tire opposite of the dot on the wheel next time I replace the tire on my 2010 wheel. It couldn't be much worse than it is right now, calling for 4 tape weights to balance perfectly. Thanks!

2008 XB12XT Rear Wheel: (Note: The dot happens to be about 120 degrees away from the valve stem on this particular wheel.)


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Rays
Posted on Saturday, November 19, 2011 - 12:53 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The '06 Manual mentions a blue dot as I posted in this old posting - I have an '05 Firebolt manual as well and that also has this info but I guess it is reasonably easy to overlook given tyre fitting is pretty straight-forward.

http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/382131.html?1217603082

I know the rear one on my '06 Uly has the blue dot with '15' written next to it just as the white dot on your black rim does. I have a new 2010 rim still in the box and it is a black dot with '15' next to it as well.
I also noticed that the reference to the dot on the rim that is in the '06 Manual isn't in the '09 manual?

I put a white dot on my rear pulley that lines up with the dot on the rim and allows me to check the tyre fitter had done what I asked.
I have had the last 6 or 7 rear tyres on my '06 fitted with the tyre mark fitted opposite this mark and haven't bothered with any additional balancing.
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Motorbike
Posted on Saturday, November 19, 2011 - 12:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

In one of my previous posts I stated: Let's see if I got this right: The dot on the Buell wheels is the heavy spot and the dot on the tire is also the heavy spot so they should be opposite of each other when correctly mounted?

I believe now that is incorrect. The link in Rwcfrank's post states: "Some PIRELLI tyres have a red dot on the sidewall. This indicates the lightest point, and should be positioned next to the valve."
On any other brand of bikes, that may be true.

Red dots on my Pirelli Angel, lined up with valve stem:




Balance weights with this setup: Not good. Balanced out OK, looks like crap.




My new 2010 wheel came from H-D with the valve stem installed. I assume this is because it would need to be in place for checking the wheel balance (without tire) to determine where to put the paint dot inside the rim. The paint dot on my 08 wheel is about 120 degrees from the valve stem so conventional wisdom would say that the paint dot inside the wheel is the light spot. If all of this is true, the red dots on the tire should be opposite the paint dot inside the wheel. In other words, the dot on the Buell wheel is the light spot and the dot on the tire is also the light spot so they should be opposite of each other when correctly mounted. All in favor say "I".
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Xbimmer
Posted on Saturday, November 19, 2011 - 01:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My 2006 FSM says to put the "yellow circle" balance mark (Dunlop?) 180 degrees from the blue balance mark inside the wheel. Here's my wheels, front is correct and rear wrong:

front correct


rear incorrect

I've had Syncs on the rear in the past balance perfectly without weights at all, twice IIRC.
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Motorbike
Posted on Saturday, November 19, 2011 - 06:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Xbimmer, if the circle on the tire and the dot on the rim are in fact the light spots of each, that would explain why it took so many weights to balance the rear. You have even more weights than I do. Thanks for posting the pics!
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7873jake
Posted on Saturday, November 19, 2011 - 09:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Finished up the front tire and after executing a thoroughly comprehensive static balance job, I wound up with five 1/4 oz weights (7gm each, for you types listening to BBC radio 4 for news updates en route to Walton on Thames)

Lacking a proper bead breaker, I'm gonna let my local shop break and mount my rear tire.

The manual says no more than 1 oz for the front and 2 oz for the rear.

Bugger

I'm gonna live with it.
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Swampy
Posted on Saturday, November 19, 2011 - 09:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

You can break the bead very easily on a motorcycle tire.

I have a 4 foot 2X4 with a wedge piece mounted about a foot from the end of the 2X4 that I place against the tire to break the bead. I wedge the short end under a bench/wall board or car bumper and push down on the tire bead. It does not take much force, just a steady force.
Try it, you will suprize yourself.

BTW, I have always put the mark on the tire by the valve stem.
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Panhead_dan
Posted on Saturday, November 19, 2011 - 10:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Too bad I can't Un-read this thread.

confoozled
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7873jake
Posted on Sunday, November 20, 2011 - 10:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks Swampy. I used that method on the front but I wanted to use a proper remover on the rear as that Scorp Sync has some life in it still and, if I ever come across a sale on the front Syncs, I wanted to be as careful as possible in case I ever decide to mount it again (or offer it 'free to a good home' here). Its got at least half of its life left in it.

Ph-D, I feel your pain.
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Bike_pilot
Posted on Monday, November 21, 2011 - 08:44 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My experience is the same as Dr. Greg's - most newer tires I've used don't have dots. Also, the last four sets of Avons I used didn't require any balance weight (the rim with stem itself was balanced before I fitted them). All the michlens i've used have required balance weight.
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