I have a 08 FXDF that has 45,000 miles on it, warranty is just about out. In two years I have had one front wheel bearing fall apart and two rear wheel bearings fall apart and destroy the rear wheel, so far warranty has replaced three bearings and two rear wheels HD has no answer but to replace bearings and wheels. I really don't want to have to buy any wheels when the bearings blow out after warranty so I'm considering converting back to timken's. Any body done this or have any opinions on it? HD says they haven't seen this happen before (Don't believe that I have read posts on the issue) and hasn't come up with a real fix. I thought about putting better bearings than HD uses but why not just go back to the old reliable timken's? I never had a set go out and destroy a wheel, they are easy to replace and don't cost much. I know an indy who says he will do it reasonable.
Thoughts?

 

Most people do not want the hassle of having to grease their wheel bearings every 10,000 miles and having to replace the wheel bearing seals and the brake rotor bolts each and every time they have to grease their wheel bearings. With the sealed bearing’s lifespan of 100,000 miles it’s almost a no brainer. One good idea is that with the Timken bearings you should be inspecting your wheel bearings at the 10,000 mile mark anyway and this is the time to catch a high wearing or a failing bearing. If you are not inspecting the sealed bearings at about the same mileage intervals, maybe you should start? It might help you to catch a failing bearing before it fails completely and costs you a whole new wheel. Better quality sealed wheel bearings than what Harley uses as stock would be my suggestion along with early, periodic wheel bearing inspections. I own both a 1999 XL883 and a 2007 XL883 and I do my own maintenance so I know first hand the effort it takes to service my motorcycles. It’s not that big of a deal. I just think of it as a labor of love. For a little effort on my part, I get so much more satisfaction back from my motorcycle. After all, there is a little give and take in every relationship. Hey man, good luck with your decision and let us all know what direction you take and ride safe out there!

 

I do all my own labor since my two years are up. I just pulled my front wheel bearings on my fat bob and noticed there is no support for the outer bearing race. The sleeve/spacer that keeps the inner races the proper space apart is the only support the bearing has for side load. I would think the outer race would have a "land" or "stop" to seat on. Crazy? So far I have had the front replaced around 13,000 and now they are bad at 33,000. The rear were replaced at 15,000 and then the rear again around 20-25,000. I too am interested in the old maintainable bearings.