hi surrealdeal and mang boy,

if i may add to the discussion.

Philippine tricycles utilize light motorcycles (typically 100cc 2-stroke or 125 4-stroke) with an added sidecar(welded with no jigs used !). They typically run short distances (3-5km) and cruise around 25kph or less earning fares sometimes in heavy traffic. They are used like a short distance cheap taxi and similar to thailand tuk-tuks.

they may be low-tech, but these are dependable, tough and affordable transport. empty weight of around 300 lbs or less but they carry around 600lbs sometimes on inclines. I have seen them carry 8 people.

what i am trying to say is that the wheels and tires are not typically wheel balanced, so i guess it does not really matter too much if the rims are not 100% true, because most everything in the entire tricycle is not also balanced ! (even the brakes are only on the motorcycle side and no brakes on the sidecar wheel.)
cheers!