Transmission main shaft
Stage IV
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: West Michigan
I have it tore apart now. Im looking for an aftermarket bearing for it. Service manager at the dealer says there putting the same bearing back in it ? there is no upgrade yet ... so does any one know why this is happining ?bike only has 36000 miles change the engine oil every 3000 and the trans and primary every other time .?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
There is no aftemarket bearing. Many things contribute to the failed bearing like the oem compensator does not prevent enough shock from getting to the trans or an over tight drive belt or too light of a tranny oil or a miss alignment of the primary cases. All this can contribute to the failed of the mainshaft bearing. Good luck.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I have it tore apart now. Im looking for an aftermarket bearing for it. Service manager at the dealer says there putting the same bearing back in it ? there is no upgrade yet ... so does any one know why this is happining ?bike only has 36000 miles change the engine oil every 3000 and the trans and primary every other time .?
Even among those affected it doesn't seem to be something that happens often, but is more of a long-term event, maybe every 20-30k miles or more. The tech at my dealer that fixed mine (in warranty) told me none of the ones he's fixed has come back with that same problem, and mine now has 16k with no further issues. I'm keeping my fingers crossed but it it happens again I won't be happy.
For those of you with newer bikes, check the part number. Mine is #8967 on that bearing.
Last edited by iclick; Aug 29, 2011 at 01:15 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,128
Likes: 27
From: florida swamp
I don't think anyone has figured out the cause, but some who log high mileage have had repeated tranny-bearing failures. The bearing (#8967) is a "duplex" design (double row of rollers) and the ***** are retained by a plastic wall. The plastic failed on mine allowing the ***** to lose their integrity. My tech does not like the design, calling it the "plastic bearing," but the bearing installed two years ago was the same design that failed.
Even among those affected it doesn't seem to be something that happens often, but is more of a long-term event, maybe every 20-30k miles or more. The tech at my dealer that fixed mine (in warranty) told me none of the ones he's fixed has come back with that problem same, and mine now has 16k with no further issues. I'm keeping my fingers crossed but it it happens again I won't be happy.
For those of you with newer bikes, check the part number. Mine is #8967 on that bearing.
Even among those affected it doesn't seem to be something that happens often, but is more of a long-term event, maybe every 20-30k miles or more. The tech at my dealer that fixed mine (in warranty) told me none of the ones he's fixed has come back with that problem same, and mine now has 16k with no further issues. I'm keeping my fingers crossed but it it happens again I won't be happy.
For those of you with newer bikes, check the part number. Mine is #8967 on that bearing.
Guess not.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 3
From: NYC
can this be replaced with out opening the tranny? pull the inner primary case and would the bearing exit out ward?
might as well replace mine while I have my primary apart which might be this week.
might as well replace mine while I have my primary apart which might be this week.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I haven't heard much about this problem lately, so maybe something has changed, like the quality of the bearing. Can anyone verify the part number on this bearing for later-model bikes? I only have a parts manual for the '07s.
Last edited by iclick; Aug 28, 2011 at 07:44 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 3
From: NYC
They had my tranny and primary completely disassembled, which I presumed was necessary to replace this one bearing. They also wanted to inspect the tranny parts for damage, so I don't know how much that contributed to the complexity of the job. While apart they also inspected everything in the primary and all was well. The SE comp went in instead of the stocker, as this was a good opportunity to do that. It really smoothed things out and eliminated the rough edges when starting.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 3
From: Southeastern Michigan
It makes no sense to replace a bearing unless it's out of spec. My Main Drive Gear bearing went completely, at around 40K. If you are way under that, I would say it has a longer service life?
Since nobody really knows the reason for the failures, you might be creating them by messing with a good thing.
Just a thought.
And you do need to disassemble the trans to get it out. No way around it.
The Inner Primary Bearing can be removed by disassembing just the inner primary.
+ 100 for the SE Comp. Great mod that should've been stock since the first 96CI!
Since nobody really knows the reason for the failures, you might be creating them by messing with a good thing.
Just a thought.
And you do need to disassemble the trans to get it out. No way around it.
The Inner Primary Bearing can be removed by disassembing just the inner primary.
+ 100 for the SE Comp. Great mod that should've been stock since the first 96CI!
Last edited by Scorpion07; Aug 28, 2011 at 09:16 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 3
From: NYC
It makes no sense to replace a bearing unless it's out of spec. My Main Drive Gear bearing went completely, at around 40K. If you are way under that, I would say it has a longer service life?
Since nobody really knows the reason for the failures, you might be creating them by messing with a good thing.
Just a thought.
And you do need to disassemble the trans to get it out. No way around it.
The Inner Primary Bearing can be removed by disassembing just the inner primary.
+ 100 for the SE Comp. Great mod that should've been stock since the first 96CI!
Since nobody really knows the reason for the failures, you might be creating them by messing with a good thing.
Just a thought.
And you do need to disassemble the trans to get it out. No way around it.
The Inner Primary Bearing can be removed by disassembing just the inner primary.
+ 100 for the SE Comp. Great mod that should've been stock since the first 96CI!
These late model bearings seem to be crapping out between 15K and 18K miles. Guess if your getting 40K on your bearings your dirving habits might be different from the folks who have failures. I'm a stop and go city driver. Go 10 feet, stop for 5 minutes, go another 20 feet, stop for another 5 minutes. thats how NYC rush hour traffic operates. That can't be optimal on these funky bearings if you know what I mean.