Inner Primary Bearing.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 79
Likes: 40
From: Southern Ontario
Inner Primary Bearing.
Hi Folks.
2010 FLHTP, 103, 6 speed.
Currently: 80,000 miles
Could any of you school me on this.
Inner Primary Bearing.
I have a trip coming up, 3000+ miles.
Bike is at shop, getting new tires.
Shop calls.
Says my inner Primary Bearing is going.
Says they can hear it pretty good.
(I am deaf, I can't hear)
Shop says the bike is rideable, but I need to address bearing soon.
I mentioned the up coming trip.
They said better before, or it might cause me trouble.
But their service is all booked up.
No time available to fix mine before my trip.
Im not sure what to do now.
How bad can this bearing get.?
Bike was riding fine before.
But being deaf, I can not hear sound.
I could carry extra oil if it leaks (??)
Am I in trouble?
I'm really bummed out now.
Trip is to touch Alaska. (Skagway Alaska)
Think my bearing will cause me trouble??
I appreciate any and all thoughts.
Thank you.
SG.
2010 FLHTP, 103, 6 speed.
Currently: 80,000 miles
Could any of you school me on this.
Inner Primary Bearing.
I have a trip coming up, 3000+ miles.
Bike is at shop, getting new tires.
Shop calls.
Says my inner Primary Bearing is going.
Says they can hear it pretty good.
(I am deaf, I can't hear)
Shop says the bike is rideable, but I need to address bearing soon.
I mentioned the up coming trip.
They said better before, or it might cause me trouble.
But their service is all booked up.
No time available to fix mine before my trip.
Im not sure what to do now.
How bad can this bearing get.?
Bike was riding fine before.
But being deaf, I can not hear sound.
I could carry extra oil if it leaks (??)
Am I in trouble?
I'm really bummed out now.
Trip is to touch Alaska. (Skagway Alaska)
Think my bearing will cause me trouble??
I appreciate any and all thoughts.
Thank you.
SG.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,900
Likes: 3,882
From: Cape Cod
NO way to tell really.
It has roller bearing in there, depends on how bad they are.
Usually it just leaks oil, but if those roller bearings disintegrate while you're out there, could be a real problem.
=crap shoot!
It has roller bearing in there, depends on how bad they are.
Usually it just leaks oil, but if those roller bearings disintegrate while you're out there, could be a real problem.
=crap shoot!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10,846
Likes: 7,482
From: OH
[QUOTE=MURPHCC1;22290002]Usually it just leaks oil, but if those roller bearings disintegrate while you're out there, could be a real problem./QUOTE]
Esp as the OP can`t hear it when it starts chewing up parts
Add to that he`s not likely to be near a repair shop or dealer
Esp as the OP can`t hear it when it starts chewing up parts
Add to that he`s not likely to be near a repair shop or dealer
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,188
Likes: 11,299
From: San Diego, CA
You should have asked your mechanic for an opinion about if it would make the trip, since he is the one who evaluated its fitness....
That's a big trip, on harsh roads, often in the middle of nowhere......
If you trust the mechanic who told you the inner primary "is going", I would replace it before the trip....
I would even make an appointment along the way at a dealership, before going off the beaten path, to get it changed if you can't get it changed locally.
Again, that would be based on if you trust that mechanic's evaluation, and it is truly making bad noises.....
Good luck with the repair.
That'll be a great trip, or better yet, an adventure!
That's a big trip, on harsh roads, often in the middle of nowhere......
If you trust the mechanic who told you the inner primary "is going", I would replace it before the trip....
I would even make an appointment along the way at a dealership, before going off the beaten path, to get it changed if you can't get it changed locally.
Again, that would be based on if you trust that mechanic's evaluation, and it is truly making bad noises.....
Good luck with the repair.
That'll be a great trip, or better yet, an adventure!
Last edited by hattitude; Jun 4, 2026 at 09:04 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,653
Likes: 4,147
From: Virginia
I was in Nova Scotia in 2011 when the motor on my 2010 Ultra started making this sound. I took it to the Sydney Harley Davidson in Cape Breton, Canada. They tore it apart and told me it was the inner primary bearing going bad and they didn't have standard part in stock, theirs were all metric. I asked them if it would destroy the motor if I rode it approx. 1500 miles home. They said it would probably be fine, just keep an ear out of the sound if the bearing was going south quickly. So I did a iron butt and rode 1430 miles in 24 hours. Took the bike to the dealer in Virgina next day and they tore the motor apart and replaced the bearing and the bike was good from there out.
Your call.
Your call.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,531
Likes: 3,743
From: backwoods
I would replace myself or find someone's. Do you really want this in the back of your mind?
I have pressed it with threads rods and sockets. Maybe the can press it if you bring primary to them.
I have pressed it with threads rods and sockets. Maybe the can press it if you bring primary to them.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 79
Likes: 40
From: Southern Ontario
Hello Again.
Thank you for the many replies.!
I went to the shop, talked to the owner.
(this repair shop is a highly respected Harley repair in this area)
So I trust their advice.
The man said that if he could hold onto my bike for one or two weeks, he would get it back up on the lift and replace the bearings
(He said it could also be clutch bearing)
Estimated cost $600 to 800.
So I did agree.!!
My upcoming trip starts July 2.
So. I am excited that bike should be ready in time.
Thanks again for the replies.
I appreciate very much.
-SG.
Thank you for the many replies.!
I went to the shop, talked to the owner.
(this repair shop is a highly respected Harley repair in this area)
So I trust their advice.
The man said that if he could hold onto my bike for one or two weeks, he would get it back up on the lift and replace the bearings
(He said it could also be clutch bearing)
Estimated cost $600 to 800.
So I did agree.!!
My upcoming trip starts July 2.
So. I am excited that bike should be ready in time.
Thanks again for the replies.
I appreciate very much.
-SG.
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,531
Likes: 3,743
From: backwoods
One or two weeks. Wow.
Have you considered learning how to wrench?
Have you considered a second bike? I would hate to be without a bike for 2 weeks on the summer.
Have you considered learning how to wrench?
Have you considered a second bike? I would hate to be without a bike for 2 weeks on the summer.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,188
Likes: 11,299
From: San Diego, CA
His priority is to have the bike in good running condition for his big trip on July 2... That's a pretty big trip. A once in a lifetime trip for most.....
With that as his goal, IMHO, 2 weeks is nothing if it means leaving on that trip with a solid motorcycle under him....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,531
Likes: 3,743
From: backwoods
His priority is to have the bike in good running condition for his big trip on July 2... That's a pretty big trip. A once in a lifetime trip for most.....
With that as his goal, IMHO, 2 weeks is nothing if it means leaving on that trip with a solid motorcycle under him....
With that as his goal, IMHO, 2 weeks is nothing if it means leaving on that trip with a solid motorcycle under him....
I have thought about that trip and Newfoundland
