Who has rim locks on their KLX?
#1
Who has rim locks on their KLX?
Ok, I'm at work and should be doing other things rather than perusing the forum but something is bugging me and I need some answers.
While installing my new tires this weekend, I installed rim locks on both front and rear tires. After I got the bike back together, I rode it around my house for an hour or so, tearing up the lawn. Everything felt fine. Today, I rode the bike to work and when I got up to around 40 mph, I started feeling a cyclical vibration. I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the rim locks. As I was putting them on, I was wondering what was going to happen because I know my wheels are no longer balanced. But I figured, Kawasaki must know what they're doing, they put the rim lock holes in the rims, right?
Does anyone else have this problem? Should I go get the wheels balanced? Should I take out the rim locks? It will drive me crazy if I have to ride on the road any distance.
Thanks for any input.
While installing my new tires this weekend, I installed rim locks on both front and rear tires. After I got the bike back together, I rode it around my house for an hour or so, tearing up the lawn. Everything felt fine. Today, I rode the bike to work and when I got up to around 40 mph, I started feeling a cyclical vibration. I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the rim locks. As I was putting them on, I was wondering what was going to happen because I know my wheels are no longer balanced. But I figured, Kawasaki must know what they're doing, they put the rim lock holes in the rims, right?
Does anyone else have this problem? Should I go get the wheels balanced? Should I take out the rim locks? It will drive me crazy if I have to ride on the road any distance.
Thanks for any input.
#3
You can buy wheel weights that clamp around the spokes. Weight the spokes opposite the rim lock to balance the wheel. I'm pretty sure I have seen pics of the spoke wheel weights on a thread here. I know some do what "2kids1wife equals no money" said about the two rimlocks. I don't have them, have thought about getting them, but wondered how bad the wheel balance feels at highway speeds. Sounds like it's not something you want to live with.
Dan
Dan
#4
Get either stick-on weights, or the spoke kind.. I have the spoke kind on the front, and stickies on the rear.
I had the same prob and experimented with weights. I believe the magic # was 6oz in the rear, and 1.5oz in the front.. I'll double check though.
I had the same prob and experimented with weights. I believe the magic # was 6oz in the rear, and 1.5oz in the front.. I'll double check though.
#5
Its about as smooth as you can get with full knobbies. 2nd lock is cheaper than having someone balance your wheel and as a bonus the 2nd lock actually serves a purpose rather than the weights that just spin around.
#6
The rim locks are cheap enough, but it's a pain in the ***** to take the wheels all apart again. Maybe I could just throw the weights on for now and then add the second rim lock when I change the tires again. Anyone got a link to the spoke weights?
#7
That and it's dark and 43 degrees out
#8
Just ran down to the garage and checked - the back is 6oz, and the front the #'s are worn off - but there's significantly less weight. I'm almost 100% sure it's 1.25oz or 1.5oz.
Bike rides smooth as butter up to 80 or so, then I crap my pants.
Bike rides smooth as butter up to 80 or so, then I crap my pants.
#9
On the subject of rim locks my previously owned bike came with stick on weights directly oposite of the space between the rimlock hole and the valve stem hole.
Should I assume they were probably for rim locks and the former owner kept the rimlocks?
Should I remove them? I dont notice a strange vibration but I am just getting a feel for the bike now anyway as I only have about 70 miles on it since I got it.
Cheers, Jim
PWI-917
Should I assume they were probably for rim locks and the former owner kept the rimlocks?
Should I remove them? I dont notice a strange vibration but I am just getting a feel for the bike now anyway as I only have about 70 miles on it since I got it.
Cheers, Jim
PWI-917
#10
Its best balance any unequal weight. Unbalanced tires wear-out wheel bearings, shocks, and tire faster. Plus, its more of safety hazard for motorcycles. Check with a Cycle Gear store and see if they still offer the free balancing. Last time I checked, they did, just bring in your wheels with tires mounted ready to go (loose, not on bike), and they will balance them.