Thanks to everyone who made guesses on our Fan Page on Facebook for this week’s Identify It! Challenge. Here is the item:
Identify It! Challenge Item for 6-18-2010
And the answer is…..
Riverside Model 61-9223 DIY Tire Balancer
This object is a DIY Tire Balancer used to balance tires for “Economy and Comfort.” Basically its a bubble level mounted in a rig that is sitting balanced on an interior pointed cone. A tire is placed over the larger exterior spindle cone and then lead weights can be added to the rim of the tire to make the tire balance. Balancing is important to keep tires from oscillating or vibrating due to imperfections in their manufacture. Balancing tires also helps improve gas mileage and improves the life span of the tire and the wheel bearings not to mention giving a smoother ride.
This particular model was manufactured by a company called “Riverside” and was distributed through Montgomery Ward. In fact it is a model 61-9223 and based upon the information on the box was manufactured in 1971 and sold for $21.98
Make sure to wash your hands good after using one of these, since tire weights are made of lead!
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