front wheel vibration r65ls

[cobra407]

i am trying to pinpoint a vibration problem in the 30-50 mph range. the front brakes have a little drag on them which might be causing the problem. i also noticed there are no weights on the front wheel. is this typical? is there a recommended tool to balance the wheels? thanks much peter

[Bob_Roller]

I would have the front wheel balanced .

I was just thinking about this, this morning, seeing as you have to remove the caliper(s) to get the wheel balanced, with the calipers removed, but with the axle nut still tight, could you balance the front wheel, while still installed on the bike .

I came up with this yesterday, while I was working on the project LS, after having the tire replaced, I added two new rotors, and replaced a nut holding the rotor to the wheel, it's a larger all metal nut, as compared to the original plastic/fiber type lock-nut .  

[montmil]

Peter,

No balance weights? You're front wheel is likely out of balance. Could be a worn down tire or a mis-mounted tire. Harbor Freight sells a nice MC wheel balancer that takes care of both my R65s. I bought 1/4 and 1/2 gram stick-on weights at the local Honda emporium.

Here's a couple balancer buying tips:

1) HF sells the balancer for $59.99. I saw the exact same item on a Parts Unlimited website for $149.95. Just had a different sticker on it. Shop around.

2) HF occasionally puts the balancer on sale for $39.99. Although the wheel balancer was not on sale when I visited my closest HF store, I asked the manager if he would give me the sale price and he did. It costs nothing to ask.

Monte

[cobra407]

thanks for info.
i went to harbor freight and it was on sale and i had the 20% coupon!

i balanced the wheel with the wheel balancer. this worked well.


when i went to install ran into a couple issues...

when i tightened the front wheel spindel nut this caused the left caliper to rub on the left front disk. i guess the hex nuts hold the front wheel axle more than the spindel nut?

i still have a lot of wheel drag coming from the front pads.
this is what i am thinking i need to do:

check the sleeves on the front calipers-- there are differnent sizes to fine tune the placement of the calipers?

replace the brake hoses-- maybe the calipers arent releasing enough to clear the disk>

other thoughs>

[Bob_Roller]

There are different thickness flange areas, to center the caliper over the rotor .

Did you by chance drop one, when you removed the caliper bolts .

It sounds like you have a dual front disc, the right side is the only side that has the spacers, the left side shouldn't have any .