| Author | Message | ||
     Swordsman |
Well, they knocked a 2-3" strip of paint off my wheel in THREE different locations. That's a bummer. I thought being a sportbike place they'd be better than that with painted wheels. And the weights! Holy cow, it looks like someone started constructing a railroad around the edge... they added a full 3 oz. to my wheel! That's TWELVE 1/4oz. squares! 7 on one side, 5 on the other. I've never seen anything like it. I wonder if it's because I left the rear sprocket on? I'm almost afraid to reinstall with all that mess attached. Surely it can't be right? ~SM | ||
| Dmhines |
I had Diablos put on at Cyclegear. The back balanced perfect with no weights needed. The front just needed one square to balance. Your install doesn't sound right. (Message edited by dmhines on July 08, 2009) | ||
| Damnut |
no way is that right, way too much weight. Did you show them the damage while there? | ||
| Ochoa0042 |
new guy did the job? doesnt sound right | ||
| Swordsman |
No idea. I dropped it off last thing before they closed yesterday, and my wife picked it up for me at lunch (she works in town, I don't). I think I need to give these guys a call tomorrow. The install will have to wait. ~SM | ||
| Swordsman |
Do you guys leave the rear sprocket on when you have the rear tire balanced? The technician yesterday was just a bit concerned about how it would fit on the balancer. ~SM | ||
| Bads1 |
The sprocket stays on Swordsman. The tech that did your wheel didn't know what he was doing. Also they owe you for a wheel. (Message edited by bads1 on July 08, 2009) | ||
| Dmhines |
Yes. You must balance with sprockets and rotors installed. A reputable shop should refuse to balance without them installed. | ||
| Swordsman |
I think instead of calling I may just pop by tomorrow afternoon with a big "WTF?" The scratches really aren't THAT bad... pretty mild, I just know they weren't there before. One still had a few loose flakes around it. It wouldn't be so bad if the Buell powdercoat didn't scrub off white! They were already a bit dinged up from rocks and whatnot, so that doesn't chap me nearly as bad as the goofy weights. Thanks for the info. ~SM | ||
| Slaughter |
Sounds like they didn't off-set the balance point of the tire to match the valve stem. NO tire is "balanced" unless it's on a wheel with a valve stem. They're marked where their heavy spot is opposite the location of the valve stem so that you MINIMIZE the weight required. Sounds like they mounted the tire exactly 180 degrees WRONG. | ||
| Oxygen151 |
I get my tires put on by one of my local suzuki dealers. I came upon them after going to my other local dealers and talking to them about what happens if my wheels get nicked or scratched or damaged in any way. The suzuki dealer was not only nice, but he also guaranteed me that he wouldn't screw my wheels up, where the other dealers simply said your shit out of luck. Not our problem, shit happens. I also told them I have a buell with a big sprocket and radial mounted disc brake and they said it wouldn't be a problem. If I were you I would definitely be mad. Thats way too much weight, somethings not right. I would go in and talk to them about what they did and see what they can do for you. For the future, I would do what I did and just shoot some shit with some of your dealers in town until you find one that makes you comfortable. Chances are, if they are questionable about being able to do it, they will mess it up. | ||
| Slaughter |
Check the sidewall. There's usually a paint dot or small painted circle. That should be positioned at the valve stem for best balance with minimum weight (for Pirelli). That is supposedly stamped as part of final inspection when they static balance each tire. ... just a thought. Can't help with suggestions about the wheel damage though.  (Message edited by slaughter on July 08, 2009) (Message edited by slaughter on July 08, 2009) | ||
| Swordsman |
Slaughter, nope, no markings. The guys I've talked to over there have been super helpful so far. They seem incredibly customer oriented, which is one of the reasons I'm so shocked to get the wheel back like this. I'll be polite, and we'll see what they say about it. Who knows, they may be as shocked as me. Had to be a new guy that didn't know any better, because that much extra metal is one helluva strange looking thing. ~SM | ||
| Brandon_m |
Normally when that much weight is added you can rotate the tire (or rim) 180 degrees to eliminate the majority of it. However.... you'd be missing a whole lot more paint if they went that route. They need to pay for the damage which they caused. If you walked into their showroom, dropped one of their brand new helmets on the ground and chipped or cracked it, they would expect you to take care of it... correct? | ||
| Swordsman |
Here ya go. It costs $1 to view my freak show.   Oh, and it IS directly across from my valve stem. ~SM (Message edited by Swordsman on July 08, 2009) | ||
| Oxygen151 |
Definitely take it back in and just talk to them about it. Getting mad gets you no where in most cases, but if they are reputable and like you said "customer oriented" i'm sure you guys will be able to work out a solution. Goodluck! | ||
| Ochoa0042 |
FAIL | ||
| Ochoa0042 |
put it on you bike.... im interested in hearing the results of how bad that job was | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Well, look at it this way, you got a real good deal on all that lead.  | ||
| Froggy |
Lick your wheel and sue!  | ||
| Ochoa0042 |
lol, the music takes the cake | ||
| Firstbatch |
DynaBeads......absolutely the only way to go on a moto. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
I bought tires of a local guy with a good rep. Asked if he'd put them on for me. He said he'd never done a Buell before but he'd like to learn so he would only charge an hour labour. He followed my manual exactly, took a couple of hours. He was careful every step of the way. I have no problem asking him next time. That's the way a real mechanic does it. | ||
| Busterx |
Sounds like maybe they didn't get the dot lined up with the valve stem. I use dyna beads and run no weights. In fact I don't balance mine, cause I don't have one. I use a manual tire machine and it can knock the paint off the edge. | ||
| Xb12mel |
 Looks like you went to the same place I did Swordsman.... and I was wondering why it was such a great deal at $25 per wheel!!! Oh well... they're scratched now, no more worrying about when that's going to happen! | ||
| Metalstorm |
I leave my rear sprocket on. It's not like a chain drive bike where the sprocket just pops off the cush drive. I bring the wheels in intact with the sprocket and rotor attached. They've always balanced out nicely. If there are other places you can take your wheels to it wouldn't be a bad idea to try them out and hopefully find a tire guy that's up to the task. I got a decent guy close to me. I always tip him $10 per tire. It's pricey but he takes good care of my wheels out of appreciation which makes me appreciate him all the more  (Message edited by Metalstorm on July 08, 2009) | ||
| Ourdee |
The new guy can listen and read! Look in the picture. The DOT is across from the valve stem. ARh, wrong DOT nucklehead, fail.  | ||
| Rsh |
Go back and have them do the job the correctly. As others have said, you do not have to remove the sprocket. +1 for Cycle Gear, I've had multiple set's of tire's mounted and balanced at Cycle Gear for 15 bucks and they have never looked like that. (Message edited by rsh on July 08, 2009) | ||
| Mpolans |
I think Ourdee is right! He put the word "DOT" across from the valve stem instead of the painted on dot. Wow! | ||
| Nadz |
I'm told that both Buell wheels and Pirelli tires are made to tight tolerances. And I believe it since the rear wheel balances out with less than three stick-ons, and the front has never needed any. -Nadz |
