General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Wheel bearings taper rollers and double row sealed ball bearing

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 27, 2011 | 12:23 PM
  #1  
Jackie Paper's Avatar
Jackie Paper
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,414
Likes: 6,366
From: Honah Lee
Default Wheel bearings taper rollers and double row sealed ball bearing

I created an album to clear up some mysteries on the wheel bearing on our bike to hopefully add some clarification to them. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions to add to it or correct if it's not correct. Thanks
 
Attached Thumbnails Wheel bearings taper rollers and double row sealed ball bearing-wheel-hub-taper-_2.jpg   Wheel bearings taper rollers and double row sealed ball bearing-wheel-hub-taper-_1.jpg   Wheel bearings taper rollers and double row sealed ball bearing-wheel-hub-sealed-bearing_2.jpg   Wheel bearings taper rollers and double row sealed ball bearing-wheel-hub-sealed-bearing_1.jpg  
Old Jul 27, 2011 | 10:25 PM
  #2  
mtnlvr's Avatar
mtnlvr
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 8
From: Minneapolis Area, MN
Default

Nice illustrations. Apparently not all setups are the same, but the idea is very similar...clamp load from the axle is applied thru the bearings' inner races. My tapered bearing setup has no "bearing spacer" and calls for 0.002" to 0.006" of end play.
 
Old Jul 27, 2011 | 10:46 PM
  #3  
Jackie Paper's Avatar
Jackie Paper
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,414
Likes: 6,366
From: Honah Lee
Default

Originally Posted by mtnlvr
Nice illustrations. Apparently not all setups are the same, but the idea is very similar...clamp load from the axle is applied thru the bearings' inner races. My tapered bearing setup has no "bearing spacer" and calls for 0.002" to 0.006" of end play.
What kind of bike? wide glide? what year? Were you able to use your forks with just new bushings and seals? thanks
 

Last edited by Jackie Paper; Jul 27, 2011 at 10:50 PM.
Old Jul 28, 2011 | 12:27 PM
  #4  
mtnlvr's Avatar
mtnlvr
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 8
From: Minneapolis Area, MN
Default

OK I take that back. My '98 Wide Glide does call for a bearing spacer but I currently don't run one.

I have a custom mag, forks and axle along with a custom length inner spacer with no shims. We'll see what I end up with tonight after I check my end play with the new bearings installed. I'll either shim or create a new inner spacer. The single inner spacer sure is nice for axle installation...a lot less parts floating around in there to get lined up.
 
Old Jul 29, 2011 | 02:37 PM
  #5  
mtnlvr's Avatar
mtnlvr
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 8
From: Minneapolis Area, MN
Default

So my inner spacer was too short causing bearing preload so I ended up making a .50" long bearing spacer and taking off .495" from the inner spacer...no shims. Unfortunately I couldn't find any material laying around to make a one piece spacer that would be .005" longer, and the shims have an oudside diameter too big which end up rubbing on the cage of the bearing if not placed in between spacers.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Screamin beagle
Wheels/Tires
3
Jul 25, 2019 11:21 AM
OhioFatboy96
EVO
7
Oct 4, 2018 01:36 PM
eglinski
Softail Models
2
May 12, 2014 08:16 AM
MNPGRider
General Harley Davidson Chat
19
Nov 30, 2011 03:46 PM
HDF Tech
Frame/Suspension/Front End/Brakes
0
Jun 27, 2005 02:45 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:08 PM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE