2001 Road King Wheel bearings
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 820
From: Moneta, Virginia
2001 Road King Wheel bearings
Time for a new rear tire (Dunlop AE 7100 miles), the bike has 30,400 miles.
What is the service life of the sealed wheel bearings?
What are my options for replacing these?
What is the service life of the sealed wheel bearings?
What are my options for replacing these?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,160
Likes: 11,249
From: San Diego, CA
Service life is dependent on many factors.... IMHO, it would be hard to give a general service life because of those factors...
I always check my bearings at every tire change. You rotate them to see how they feel. If they feel "scratchy" or are binding, I replace them. If they are making noise at any time, I replace them. I haven't had a bearing failure on any of my bikes, and I have gone over 50K miles on a couple sets of OEM wheel bearings.
On your 2001 Road King, the wheel bearings could last well over your current 30K mileage. I would inspect them, or have whoever is changing the tires inspect them, rather than just replace them for the hell of it.. But a quality bearing, properly installed, can't be a bad thing.. especially if it gives you piece of mind.
For bearings, that I install myself, I buy them online from Brock's Performance. They are a well built bearing with good grease. I just bought a set of 4 for my 2001 Springer for $29.97 each.
There are many good bearings available. I have had luck in the past with HD bearings. Other quality bearings are "SKF" from Sweden, or "***" bearings with several plants worldwide, including the USA.
Many used to recommend All ***** wheel bearings, but I have read complaints about them since around 2015ish. It would appear they have changed vendors, or were over-rated in the past, but I have no personal experience with them. Do an internet search for "All ***** wheel bearing complaints" before ordering them.
Good luck with your decision & possible bearing replacement..
Last edited by hattitude; Feb 16, 2024 at 11:22 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,683
Likes: 3,977
From: Near Yosemite
I got 126,000 miles out of the OEM wheel bearings on my 14 SGS. There were no issues with them when I swapped them out, we were just headed out for a 2 month long ride and figured it was time. I put OEM back in because......... well, the first set lasted 126,000 miles, so why not!? I also changed the bearings out in my 03 RKC around the same time with 77,000 miles on the clock. Also, just because........ YMMV!
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,175
Likes: 2,483
From: Nor Cal
I'll try to get in and out before the thread becomes a cluster F as wheel bearing threads commonly do 
Check them, but expect Not to replace them. 2000-07 bearings are long lived. Get them from the dealer if needed ... or maybe Brock's (i have no experience with them)
I'd be interested in whether Brock's version of those 2000-07 21mm wide bearings have 2 seals per side (4 total seals) like the OEM have.
Yes, All ***** changed suppliers. Maybe when they moved under the same umbrella as PivotWorks ... No, not as good IMO
Wow, that's incredible on the on 08-later 25mm (15mm wide) bearings ... congrats 
.
...For bearings, that I install myself, I buy them online from Brock's Performance. They are a well built bearing with good grease. I just bought a set of 4 for my 2001 Springer for $29.97 each
Many used to recommend All ***** wheel bearings, but I have read complaints about them since around 2015ish. It would appear they have changed vendors, or were over-rated in the past, but I have no personal experience with them. Do an internet search for "All ***** wheel bearing complaints" before ordering them.
...
Many used to recommend All ***** wheel bearings, but I have read complaints about them since around 2015ish. It would appear they have changed vendors, or were over-rated in the past, but I have no personal experience with them. Do an internet search for "All ***** wheel bearing complaints" before ordering them.
...
Yes, All ***** changed suppliers. Maybe when they moved under the same umbrella as PivotWorks ... No, not as good IMO
.
Last edited by multihdrdr; Feb 16, 2024 at 08:35 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,160
Likes: 11,249
From: San Diego, CA
Do the OEM 3/4" bearings have dual seals...?
Is there a way to tell how many seals, or do I have to disassemble them....?
If I pull one of the seals, won't that weaken the seal?
The only mention on their site of the seals says, "Light contact seals".... whatever that means...
https://brocksperformance.com/steel-...d-9267-3-4-id/
Last edited by hattitude; Feb 16, 2024 at 09:27 PM.
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Club Member
Joined: Oct 2011
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Likes: 2,483
From: Nor Cal
Hatt, post a good pic of the bearing. Also rotate the bearing and note whether the seal stays attached to the inner or outer race.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,160
Likes: 11,249
From: San Diego, CA
The bearings look the exact same on both sides, and have the same writing on the seals on both sides. When I spin the bearing, the seal stays attached to the outer race.
Here you go.....
Last edited by hattitude; Feb 16, 2024 at 09:56 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,175
Likes: 2,483
From: Nor Cal
The OEM (and others using the same design for harley applications) bearing's Outer (first) Seal is attached to the Inner race while the Inner (second) Seal is attached to the Outer race.
So for anything to enter the bearing it has to pass through to outer radius of the first seal, pass between the "faces" of the two seals, and then pass through inner radius of the second seal ... long way to travel.
Could you measure the width and see if it's closer to 20.6mm than 21mm wide
I can post a pic of the OEM bearing seals if needed
