Originally Posted by tommyglide

The wrapper on the last HD wheel bearings I bought said made in South Korea, popped the seal off to have a look see and very little grease was in the pos. Now have World Wide Bearings ceramic pieces, pricey, probably not neccessary but through misadventure learned they can take a pile of heat without deteriorating. The proprietor's customer service is darn good also.

Originally Posted by Sc0-

HD revised the part number and they are now South Korea made. The NSK bearings that i replaced my Mexico bearings with were made in Bulgaria.

Originally Posted by Boomer1143

I renewed my wheel bearings 10k ago with ABS bearings from Drag Specialties and the non ABS from All *****. So far so good.

Originally Posted by Cosmic Razorback

Apparently something has changed because my experience over the years has been that the Harley bearing was dimensionally different that's any of the 6200 and 6300 series radial ball bearings. I wish I had a dollar for every time a customer came to my counter wanting a HD bearing that we could not match up.

If the 6205 is the correct bearing now you are MUCH better off going to an actual bearing house like Applied Industrial Technologies, Motion Industries, Kaman, Bearing Distributors, etc. there is one in every major town.

The brands you want are SKF, F.A.G., NTN, KOYO, NSK, NACHI

As for Timken they are a Tapered Roller Bearing company. About 15 years ago they purchased Fafnir bearing which makes ball bearings. They have a good product also.

The SKF number posted earlier breaks down to:

6205-2RSJEM
6200 = Series
05 = Bore 5 x 5 = 25mm
2RS = two Rubber Seals (sealed both sides)
J = steel retainer (this separates the *****, some steel, plastic, bronze)
EM = Electric Motor Quality

The Germans invented the bearing and SKF was the company. I have long considered them the best in the industry. Keep in mind that bearings have become a victim of the world market. Most all major manufacturers have plants in every region of the world including China. You are safe as long as you by a major name brand bearing. Their quality is consistent around the world.

However there is a LOT of JUNK in the bearing market. I would never by a bearing from someone like Drag Specialties. Who made it? What ABEC rating is it? Are the seals good? What grease did they put in it? My life rides on these. Like tires the last thing you want to cut corners on to safe a few bucks.

Harley has had issues with bearings. But they have their reputation riding on them. They as a manufacturer know who made them and they know the standards they meet. If you can get an SKF or other major brand in the size you need go for it. If not I would trust Harley and spend the extra 20 bucks.

I have been in the industry 40'years and have been to most all the major manufacturers s training schools. Just my 2 cents.

Originally Posted by Cosmic Razorback

As mentioned in an earlier post the key is to buy a bearing from a major manufacturer. Everyone of them produces all around the world now.

NSK is one of the best. They are a Japanese company and currently the largest bearing supplier to the automobile industry. Don't worry about which country it was made in but instead who made it.

Originally Posted by JayStronghawk

Will keep this in mind NSK should be as good as any .. Wanting to go to Timkin Bearings on my inner Cams was plainly told Koyo is the best going to find out there now and so far they have done Great ..