Taper Roller to Sealed Wheel Bearing Conversion
 

I have a Evo customer wants to convert his taper roller wheel bearings to sealed and insists there is a kit....I can't find any details.....do they exist?

I have a friend of mine that has done it on his bike but he didn't use a kit.

Can you get the bearing numbers off him please?

V Twin do a kit but have no stock but helpfully they list all the dimensions!

I just called him and he doesn't remember the numbers.

He suggested just measuring the race and matching it with a sealed bearing from a bearing warehouse.

He said you can get them way cheaper that way.

Did he use double or single row balls?

Single.

I'm trying to understand why the person wants to do this.
I machined adapters that bolt on to my tapered bearing wheel to use the sealed bearings but I was adapting an older aluminum wheel to an '03 wide glide front end and it was a fun project.
I don't get why anyone would want this if it's just a kit they can buy.
What is the advantage?
Heck, repacking the taped bearings now and then isn't a big inconvenience.

Its a maintenance thing, way easier to change, far cheaper to buy and just....modern...can you name any motorcycle produced in Japan or Europe that used taper rollers in the wheels after the end of WW2....or even before WW2???

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

I believe this will work
 

VT No: 44-2995
Rear wheel hub bearing kit includes two bearings, center spacer and spacers.
Rear double row fit wheel bearing kits for models with bearings to eliminate wheel play. Use with a stock 3/4" axle. Bearing has an outer diameter of 1.782", and inner diameter of .747" and width of .81". The spacer length is 4.5".
Fits:
FXST 1984-1999 rear
FXD 1991-1999 rear
XL 1991-1999 rear
FLST 1986-1999
UOM: 1 - KIT
Country of Origin: Imported