I've got a pair of stock take-off 40 spoke laced wheels from a 2007 FLHRC that I'm going to put on my 2003 FLHRCI. I want to put fresh bearings in them before I mount them.

I've also been thinking about the wheel bearings on my 2010 FLHTCU, and how people have been talking about replacing them early/often, so I'm going to make it a habit of changing those at tire change intervals.

I found a bearing puller/install tool for $80 that will do 25mm, 3/4", and 1" bearings, so I'm set there. Yes I have the service manual for both bikes,

So, the question is, should I just go to the stealer and get OEM replacements? Or, is this like the cam bearing thing where "the B's were good, the rest are crap, get torrington/timkin, but some are made in China, and others made in Mexico so make sure you get the bearings that Joe-Bob sells because he got a stock of them from Ohio in 1974 and still has some left, but make sure you call him and ask for the specific lot number otherwise... bla, bla, bla"

That's my question.

 

Stick with the proven makes like Timkin because you know they are quality! pull your races & pop in new ones!
Hatch.

 

One problem I have seen is new sealed bearings have little to no grease in them. If you are careful you can pop off one of the seals, add a little grease and get a lot more life out of them than the manufacturer intended

 

You never, ever open up a sealed bearing.

JMHO.....If you are going to change out your wheel bearings as a service procedure, why would you go with O.E. bearings?

Find a vendor who can order a German bearing brand named "***". These are some of the best bearings in the industry. Install these bearings and then service (if they are not the sealed type) them at appropriate intervals.

 

Take your bearings to these guys and have them match them with the same thing from Timken, Koyo, NSK, NTN, Schaeffler or SKF. Call them first to see if they have a location in your city.

http://web.applied.com/site.cfm/North%20Carolina.cfm

If AIT can't help then try these guys

http://www.bdi-usa.com/Locations.aspx?State=NC

 

You don't have to worry about 1974 stock for twinkie wheel bearing we still used real ones back then that that lasted 20 yrs or more . The sealed one piece you have has only been around since 2000 or so , just DON"T ever buy china name bearings they are gone in 20,000 or less miles .

 

You don't...I do all the time. If you ever open one, and see how little grease they put in them...you would never install one with out adding a little grease.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_yhucQjFBg

 

I just noticed the the brand name of the bearing company was not printed in my previous post. I guess it is because the German company's brand name is a derogatory name for a gay man.... who would have thunk it? I meant no harm or insult, follow this link, that is the name of the company and they are top of the line bearings.
http://www.schaeffler-aftermarket.com

 

Been selling bearings for 32 years...yours are probably sealed ball bearings and I think the MOCO buys them from INA which is part of the Scheffler group that owns ***, Barden, and others I can't remember. If they are INA and the part number begins with "F", they are probably special dimensions made for the MOCO. If they are sealed ball bearings and not special sizes, you would see numbers like 6205-2rs or 6305-2rs which are very common. If they are tapered roller bearings like Timken, then you will have cones,cups, and seals separate from the bearing.

 

OK, the site must have protection against posting the bearing company name. Those letters stand for Fischer Automatic Gustalkuglefabriken(not sure about that spelling or the actual name) Germans have way too many letters in their words.