New Shinko tire install today...ugh

So the local dealer flips and balances for $25.00 and 1 hour wait.
Good
Not worth the aggravation to me so off it goes
#1, says the new Shinko 230 is really way out of balance and takes 2oz min.
#2, says my 1977 KZ1000 spoke rim does not need those rim locks with modern tires like this and hands it to me with no rim locks and white duct tape showing inside the holes.
#3, I fight him and make him dismount the tire and I say he has to put the two rim locks back on! WTF?
With two big gapping holes left in my rim.
#4, says I'm wrong and these ancient rim locks are dinosaur tech and not needed with modern tires (etc) ...but he does it anyhow and says it now takes almost 2.75oz to balance this cheap tire.
Comments?
I'm not happy with these ugly ass blobs of lead all over my chrome rims.

I don't have rim locks. Haven't for years. This time around I had to use less weights than on the last tire. Judging on how tough the tire was to break free last time I doubt locks are needed.
Steve

I have never heard this before... I get it with cast or mag wheels but with 40 year old spoke rims?
And what am I supposed to do with the two bolt holes from the rim locks?
He says if I prove him wrong he'll refund my $25.00... even though he did dismount and remount/balance with my rim locks back on.
LOL

Do Shinko tires have the yellow dot? or some other mark that you're supposed to line up with the valve stem?

Two comments -

- I ALWAYS install the rim locks even though I'm running fresh Pirelli tires. He must be nuts to just cover the holes with duct tape. Having been on a bike when the rim slipped inside the tire, ripped off the valve stem, and caused an immediate blowout at 45mph in heavy traffic I highly recommend you do use the rim locks.

- 2 ounces of weight to balance is pretty much at the outside limit. Did the guy align the dot on the tire (I'm assuming Shinkos are marked like many other tire brands) with the valve stem? If not, that may account for the 2 ounces of weight needed.

Ed

Yes. It's red on this one and it is right adjacent to the new tube's valve stem.

That looks correct. Ed

rim locks are really only necessary if you are running low PSI in your tires these days. if the Factories arent installing them on street bike spoked wheels anymore then you sure as shit don't need them. However as Ed pointed out, if you run a low PSI and the tube slips it will be instantly flat. so it really depends on your level of paranoia, i prefer to check my tires regularly. Having the holes open in the rim sucks though. I put some 1/4" button head screws in the holes and never had an issue.

Too late now but it's a good idea to check wheel balance before installing the tire. I've seen some wheels that rolled perfectly true but took a fair bit of weight due to unbalance.

I run the recommended pressure in my tires. I also have duct tape over the rubber that protects from the spokes. No issues. Also checked the rim balance and it was slightly off.
Steve

Mine that I just replaced took 2 oz too and he used the locks thankfully ......... My guy charges 35 with a new tube so I'm happy with that also....I remember reading a while back that several others were bringing up the same thing about the weight needed and am thinking Shinko needs to work on getting them a little closer.......

Mines a 712 120 by 18 and the earlier thread was too so looks like both models have the same problem.

2.75oz to balance? The weights I use are 5 grams each, and it takes 6 to make 1oz, so 2.75oz in my size weights is 16 pieces of weight. I'd sure say if that is the case the tire should be deemed defective.
As to the rim locks, they are not absolutely critical, but I agree, I wouldn't want holes in the wheel with nothing protruding out of them.
Can I ask what dealer in Denver area mounted the tire?