wheel bearings
Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 427
Likes: 85
From: Queen Creek, AZ
The best way to check the bearings is to remove the wheel(s) from the bike and turn the bearings with your finger, feeling for roughness, resistance, or any other unusual condition. A quick check of the front wheel can be accomplished by putting the bike up on a jack and turning the wheel, listening for a grinding noise or lateral (side to side) movement of the wheel. I don't believe that there is a way to check the rear wheel in this fashion. Since I do my own maintenance, I change out my bearings front and back whenever I replace the front tire. This is generally around 30K miles.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 306
Likes: 7
From: Somewhere, PA
I wrench on my own bikes as well, and at 40K+ I would have already changed them. If you are the original owner and haven't done a lot of wet riding, at least check them and be aware of sounds/shimmys/vibrations etc. that appear to be new.
A wheel bearing issue at speed is nothing to laugh at. Luckily, in most cases a failing bearing will start to give symptoms/sounds to make you aware before it completely goes. If you're not listening to what your bike is telling you though, it could get real "unfun."
Best...
A wheel bearing issue at speed is nothing to laugh at. Luckily, in most cases a failing bearing will start to give symptoms/sounds to make you aware before it completely goes. If you're not listening to what your bike is telling you though, it could get real "unfun."
Best...
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 676
Likes: 0
im not the original owner, ive had the bike about 8months or so. everthing seems fine and the tires are in good condition so i wont be changing them anytime soon. was just riding the other day and this popped into my head due to the unfun factor mentioned above. thanks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,771
Likes: 6,505
From: Honah Lee
Drop the wheel out and, wipe the crud off and use your finger. Just like when you getting a prostate check. Push down firmly and rotate the inner race numerous times to fill that it is smooth and firm. Look very carefully as you push down hard and try to move it in and out. Should be no looseness. Be sure the leap seal is in good shape. If your into it this far and you drive fast and hard and long trips with two up and a lot of weight might not hurt. Be sure to use quality name brand bearings, properly installed and wheel nut torqued. Mine looked and felt great at 40K. Have a Fatboy rim setting in the garage with 100K on it and the bearing are fine.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Jun 16, 2011 at 11:59 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
Replace em every other tire. I know its overkill, but they are cheap and your life isn't. I had a front one go at about 70mph. (older non sealed type). Its an experience, one you don't really want to have. I don't try to save money on tires and bearings.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,771
Likes: 6,505
From: Honah Lee
Thats a lot of kill, my bike is working on it's 4th set of tires. I would start worrying about the press fit in the al wheel hub at the 3rd bearing. My bet is one locking up is caused by incorrect instuallation. Your right, bearing and tire problems would not be fun at 70. I am at the age I do not run that fast on a bike. I work on them too much to fill confortable doing that anymore.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Jun 16, 2011 at 12:32 PM.
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