Wheel Bearings
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,096
Likes: 4,673
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
I pull those seals and check new bearings before I use them, too. American bearings always seem to have a good amount of grease, but I've found in a lot of imports what looks like a 1/16" or smaller "string" of grease on one side of the bearing - not even mixed in yet, so it'd take a few revolutions before it even spread grease on the *****. I really think this causes more bearing failures than the quality of the bearing itself. I've actually found a few aircraft bearings and one popular brand of tractor bearing with no grease at all. If the "grease" is clear, I clean it out and use a good - not cheap Walmart stuff - synthetic grease.
I replaced a brand new bearing set in an aftermarket Harley wheel that had plastic ball cages and nothing stamped on them to tell where they were made, I just threw those away unused. Your big name American brands like Timken will never have those; at least I haven't seen any yet. I agree with you about low bid imported Harley bearings; for the same price or even lower you can get good ones. Once you put a premium quality bearing in the wheel, just popping the outer seal at tire changes to check the grease should be all that's needed for possibly as long as you have the bike. There are Harleys with over 100K on them with original bearings, from the American made days any way.
I replaced a brand new bearing set in an aftermarket Harley wheel that had plastic ball cages and nothing stamped on them to tell where they were made, I just threw those away unused. Your big name American brands like Timken will never have those; at least I haven't seen any yet. I agree with you about low bid imported Harley bearings; for the same price or even lower you can get good ones. Once you put a premium quality bearing in the wheel, just popping the outer seal at tire changes to check the grease should be all that's needed for possibly as long as you have the bike. There are Harleys with over 100K on them with original bearings, from the American made days any way.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 706
Likes: 30
From: Alaska
Has anyone ever experienced or heard of a catastrophic failure of wheel bearings on a Harley that resulted in a wreck?
How many years would you have to ride a bike without checking the bearings before they failed and you had no idea that it was going to happen?
I wouldn't think that you would even need to check them more often then each time you change the tires.
How many years would you have to ride a bike without checking the bearings before they failed and you had no idea that it was going to happen?
I wouldn't think that you would even need to check them more often then each time you change the tires.
Last edited by AKFXD; Dec 18, 2015 at 12:33 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,096
Likes: 4,673
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
Just hit the edit button, delete the text, and type removed. People can still see that, but whatever was there before is gone. Unless someone quoted it in another message, then only they can delete that. Do it fast, before I quote you. 
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 706
Likes: 30
From: Alaska
I accidentally posted the same thing twice. So I did pretty much what you said except I wrote my question. Why isn't there a way to delete the post?
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 24
From: Minden LA
I have a set of assorted size bearing packers that have a tapered side with a threaded rod that screws into a disc that has an oring that seals when you screw it together and has a Dzerk fitting. When you grease it it pushes the grease through one side and purges out the other. No popping of the seal, and work great. "Aircraft type stuff"
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 15,997
Likes: 7,111
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Bearing failures are rare. While it's never a bad idea to learn how to Replace/relubricate bearings, it still doesn't really warrant concern.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,096
Likes: 4,673
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
I've replaced hundreds of failed bearings from a wide assortment of vehicles from lawn tractors to Boeing 747s, including motorcycles. You just don't hear about them much. I don't replace wheel bearings if all's good, but I sure check them every time the wheel's off, and pretty much every other bearing that becomes accessible. Saved me some grief over the decades for little effort. It's a very small percentage that ever fail, but you don't want to join that minority on two wheels.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 74
From: The 12th Rebel State
I just swapped out the wheels on my 2012 FXDC and the rear wheel bearings were roached, esp. the right rear. I never used high pressure water etc.. I just rode the bike.. I decided to go with a bearing that has a wider track a 21mm vs. a 15mm stocker.. Rolls smooth as glass and is an upgraded American bearing vs. the cheapo stockers the MoCo put in.. do as you will.. but for me.. I don't play around when it comes to bearings.. esp wheel bearings.