Taper Roller to Sealed Wheel Bearing Conversion
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
There is not a good way to set the preload on tapered roller bearings in a harley wheel. The races have to be set perfect, the center spacer has to be perfect size, and no wear in the bearing. As soon as there is some wear in the bearings or races they become looser, sealed ball bearings much better.
Have not been able to find bearings that i thought fit right, they may be out there but i haven't found them
Have not been able to find bearings that i thought fit right, they may be out there but i haven't found them
So far I have found Z9504 2RS but my bearing supplier is on the case for the double row ones that V Twin use...apparently you can get a new spacer made up to be 0.192 longer than your original one if using the kit with a 19 or 21 inch wheel but I haven't checked that in the real world yet.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 272
Likes: 5
From: pomgolia
no but looking at doing the rear bearings on my glide
stuck the bearing number on google, very common bearing used in trailers ford transits and washing machines
cost of replacing the bearings is way cheaper than the cost of machining out a hub / wheel
hardest part is getting out the outer race, jims do a nice tool for this or a bead of weld on it to shrink it works well
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Back in the 70s, when I wanted replacement tapered roller bearings for my shovel, I visited a local auto parts shop and they told me they were the same as a popular Ford car of the time! They are great things and capable of taking high loads. When Harley went to ball races they adopted ones with a larger OD, hence the changes to later wheels. So I am suspicious that those that will fit in a tapered bearing hub may be marginal on load rating.
However each to their own and thanks for listening!
However each to their own and thanks for listening!
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,666
Likes: 3
From: Styxville
BMW. Airheads and I believe the current Oilheads etc.
And set with the right pre-load and lubed with every tire change, they last hundreds of thousands of kilometers -- like car wheel bearings do.
Usual pre-load for BMW is zero shake at the rim but no drag evident. (IE zero clearance, and zero to a bee's dick preload).
BMW adjustment for pre-load is with a HD type spacer, but it is two-piece, the second piece being a narrow 'wedding ring' on the end, available in various sizes to set pre-load. (I just use emery paper or shim stock depending on which way I want to go.)
You can buy taper roller bearings that have a seal on the outer side of the inner race( If that makes any kind of sense!) that stops water getting in and grease getting out. Using marine grease helps too, does not wash out easily.
WW2 I dont know if they even had taper rollers back then. My old 42WLA has ***** and adjustable cones like a pushbike in the front and loose rollers that run straight in the hub, no race, on the back. Now that;s a PITA when the "race" wears out beyond the range of oversize rollers.
Last edited by Hopper; Jan 21, 2014 at 06:04 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,820
Likes: 7,851
From: SE Louisiana
There is not a good way to set the preload on tapered roller bearings in a harley wheel. The races have to be set perfect, the center spacer has to be perfect size, and no wear in the bearing. As soon as there is some wear in the bearings or races they become looser, sealed ball bearings much better
As long as there's no water intrusion, they'll last forever.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 64
From: SoCal
I am very curious how well ball bearings that install as direct replacements for the stock bearings hold up.
If you locate a kit that seems suitable, let us know how well they perform. I'm hoping you will have the opportunity to observe them over their service life or, at least, some significant portion thereof.
Last edited by megawatt; Jan 21, 2014 at 12:55 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,183
Likes: 12,762
From: South Carolina
There is not a good way to set the preload on tapered roller bearings in a harley wheel. The races have to be set perfect, the center spacer has to be perfect size, and no wear in the bearing. As soon as there is some wear in the bearings or races they become looser, sealed ball bearings much better.
Have not been able to find bearings that i thought fit right, they may be out there but i haven't found them
Have not been able to find bearings that i thought fit right, they may be out there but i haven't found them
It is a simple process to set axle end play.
The Timkens in my `89 Softail have over 140,000 miles on them, and the end play has never changed.
I can`t remember ever reading a post on the forums about problems with tapered roller wheel bearings, but I have read countless posts about sealed wheel bearing failures.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Jan 21, 2014 at 07:33 PM.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,727
Likes: 3,073
From: Brighton, MI
Just found the front wheel kit from "All *****" for my 1994 dyna on fleabay, and the rears from another company on ebay as well.
Not sure if that is the type of sealed bearing kit your looking for? They have other years listed as well.
Not sure if it helps, but gave it a try...YD
Not sure if that is the type of sealed bearing kit your looking for? They have other years listed as well.
Not sure if it helps, but gave it a try...YD
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
Just found the front wheel kit from "All *****" for my 1994 dyna on fleabay, and the rears from another company on ebay as well.
Not sure if that is the type of sealed bearing kit your looking for? They have other years listed as well.
Not sure if it helps, but gave it a try...YD
Not sure if that is the type of sealed bearing kit your looking for? They have other years listed as well.
Not sure if it helps, but gave it a try...YD