Balancing Beads

[Farrell In Vancouver]

Originally Posted by Drew N. Minnesota

I wish I had known about these before I had my AA truck tires mounted, now I'll have to wait until I get a flat or wear the current tires out.

inex01, I wonder how much good these might do for a large 20"x6.00 wheel/tire, maybe topping out at 45 mph?
Still might be worth a shot. If you do it, please post what you learn as I am a long way from hanging the wheels on my AA and would like to know.

[bogiediver]

A trick for easier install... get a section of clear tubing that will fit snuggly over the valve stem - zip tie it to the stem. Have the tube long enough to hold half the beads (2.5oz), then use a quick jet of air from an air gun (not too hard) and the beads zip right in... do this twice on each wheel and you'll likely be done in 1/2 hour... Just don't get over zealous with the air gun and have those little bb's all over your garage floor.

Also - there is a place in Crystal Lake, IL that has the correct beads at $60 for 5 pounds + shipping - works out to about $1 per ounce - lots less than the parts houses (car or motorcycle). Do a group buy for your club and save bucks... they really do work.

This is the company that used to supply the name brand, until they started sourcing overseas... I bought a jar from them - nice people...
*******
Subject: Zirconium Beads

If you are using this for wheel balancing, the QBZ-58A would be your choice.

QBZ-58A 1.0 mm $ 60.00/quart

Quackenbush Co., Inc.
Scott Quackenbush
6711 Sands Rd
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Ph: 815-479-8900 Fx: 815-479-9902
Web Site: www.quackco.com

[Bassman/NZ]

Originally Posted by Farrell In Vancouver

inex01, I wonder how much good these might do for a large 20"x6.00 wheel/tire, maybe topping out at 45 mph?
Still might be worth a shot. If you do it, please post what you learn as I am a long way from hanging the wheels on my AA and would like to know.

They are used by truckers on semis pounding along at 80mph, so they'll do any size.
FWIW: shotgun pellets work too. Some of the rodders over at the Hamb use DynaBeads, some use shotgun pellets.

[Bob-A]

I guess if you use the beads in your wheels. It will cancel out ever using
a can of fix-a-flat............

Bob-A

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Does anyone have NEGATIVE stories about the "beads??
I'm nigh on to being convinced. I have 5 new tubes to install shortly. Any info on lead shot success & quantities for 6.00 x 16 size? Bill W.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

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Originally Posted by Bob-A

I guess if you use the beads in your wheels. It will cancel out ever using
a can of fix-a-flat............

Bob-A

Can you use Fix-a-flat in a tube?

[Richard in Anaheim CA]

I installed "Snyder's" beads in 5 tubes yesterday with a friends help.

The tubes have metal valve stems and we used a small vibrating engraving tool.

We installed 4 oz in each tube using the bottle,tube setup that came with the kit.

5 tubes, clean as a whistle, in less than an hour. I had been dreading the job but it was a piece of cake.

That's one job finished for the long drive to Marquette MI.

Richard
Anaheim CA

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Bob-A

I guess if you use the beads in your wheels. It will cancel out ever using
a can of fix-a-flat............

Bob-A

I've never had luck with that stuff and find it only makes fixing flats a real mess.

[Bob-A]

Tom & Brent,

I always carry a can of fix-a-flat in the saddle bags of my Harleys. Only tried using it once and it did not work. The tube had a long rip in it I found out later. However, I have talked to people who have had success
with the stuff. When you are in the middle of nowhere on a bike with a flat tire anything that will get you going is most helpful.

Bob-A

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Bob-A

Tom & Brent,

I always carry a can of fix-a-flat in the saddle bags of my Harleys. Only tried using it once and it did not work. The tube had a long rip in it I found out later. However, I have talked to people who have had success
with the stuff. When you are in the middle of nowhere on a bike with a flat tire anything that will get you going is most helpful.

Bob-A

Their (Fix-a-flat) website says it is not for use in bicycle, motorcycle, and Z-rated tires. You are very correct in that when in desperate need, folks do desperate things. Like you, if I have a flat I am willing to try anything!!

[Ron Lowe]

I always keep a bottle of Slime in my Harley bags. I've had two flats on the road and it worked both times and I do have tubes in my bike. You also need a way to inflate the tire. I carry 4 Co2 canisters and a adapter to re-inflate. I might add that one flat had a huge nail in the side wall and Slime still worked. I noticed recently at Wal Mart that Slime makes it in a can like Fix-A-Flat. That would make the flat fixable with Slime and also inflate the tire. The price was about $5 Ron

[Bob-A]

Ron,

Thanks for the info., I'll have to check it out.

Bob-A

[Gary Gregory]

I just installed the beads in my front tires...if it did anything it made them worse. Put one 4 oz pack..didn't help, added 1 oz and they seem to bump more than ever. Guess thats what i get for buying the latest ''snake oil''

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Gary Gregory

I just installed the beads in my front tires...if it did anything it made them worse. Put one 4 oz pack..didn't help, added 1 oz and they seem to bump more than ever. Guess thats what i get for buying the latest ''snake oil''

Gary, I'm sorry to hear that. Whose beads did you use, and who did you get them from??

[mjm1972]

Can anyone please explain what you are all talking about and maybe post a pic or even link to the parts?

Thanks

[VWJoe]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

Does anyone have NEGATIVE stories about the "beads??
I'm nigh on to being convinced. I have 5 new tubes to install shortly. Any info on lead shot success & quantities for 6.00 x 16 size? Bill W.

Bill, I never cared for them. We did a police vehicle fleet test on police crusier's when I worked for Fairfax County here in Nor Va. Everytime the cruiser stopped, the wheels had to re-balance themselves. Not good when the officer had to go code 3 from a stop light. NASCAR guys use them [DynaBeads] to keep from throwing lead off their wheels at 200 mph. They are at a constant speed (no stop & go) and probaly worked OK for that applacation

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by VWJoe

Bill, I never cared for them. We did a police vehicle fleet test on police crusier's when I worked for Fairfax County here in Nor Va. Everytime the cruiser stopped, the wheels had to re-balance themselves. Not good when the officer had to go code 3 from a stop light. NASCAR guys use them [DynaBeads] to keep from throwing lead off their wheels at 200 mph. They are at a constant speed (no stop & go) and probaly worked OK for that applacation

Jeez, are we really comparing Apple-to-Apples here?

Can you imagine 'Code III' in a Model-A??

I'd say your test came back pretty accurate with your cruisers. They probably did not work well in a fast acceleration setting. I would also think that fast acceleration is not a necessity with most Model-A owners either so maybe that won't be a detriment in our applications. In your defense, I DO realize what Bill asked but then again, ............


.

[Gary Gregory]

Hey Brent, I got the beads from Snyders. My tires "Firestone'' ran pretty good wthout balancing but figured i could make things a little better with the beads. Now the tires bounce at 35 -40mph...right where i drive the most ! Thought about adding a small amount more but wonder if I'm adding to the problem ?

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

One poster said they thumped on first take off, then smooth. If you then stop for someone's "Granny" crossin' the street, will they thump again??? Gotta' re-think this, 'cause when you put them in TUBES, they're there to stay!!
If you're running tubeless, you could dump them out, pay for mounting & balancing, and tell yourself, "Self, I'm stupid, I should have just flushed $150.00 down the toilet for amusment!!"
I'm just thinking, if this was so GREAT and foolproof, NO ONE in the tire world would be doodling around with balancing weights! Bill W.