Bearing choices
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 384
From: Arkansastan
Bearing choices
Was washing the bike when I noticed the front wheel had some black streaked “grease” looking stuff that had obviously come from the bearing area. I can’t say it is grease, almost looks like the black rubber from the bearing cover. Either way, I wiped it down and going to keep an eye on it, but if it turns out to be a bearing issue, who is the go to now for decent bearings? I’ve read on here in various places that HD bearings are not all that, and if there is something a bit better, I’d like to go that route instead. Suggestions? One’s to avoid?
edit: the bike rides normally, no issues, but there was a lot of this stuff that worked its way around ( I know, should took a pic. I will if it comes back), and want to beat the breakdown if I can help it.
edit: the bike rides normally, no issues, but there was a lot of this stuff that worked its way around ( I know, should took a pic. I will if it comes back), and want to beat the breakdown if I can help it.
Last edited by propflux01; Apr 28, 2025 at 12:46 PM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 384
From: Arkansastan
AS noted in the picture on my post.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 1,471
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From: Sacto
There's no pic in the mobile version.
There are more words in your response (with no answer) than just listing your year and model
And you came asking for help ... good luck
There are more words in your response (with no answer) than just listing your year and model
And you came asking for help ... good luck
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 384
From: Arkansastan
2020 FLHTK
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From: Inland NW
Was washing the bike when I noticed the front wheel had some black streaked “grease” looking stuff that had obviously come from the bearing area. I can’t say it is grease, almost looks like the black rubber from the bearing cover. Either way, I wiped it down and going to keep an eye on it, but if it turns out to be a bearing issue, who is the go to now for decent bearings? I’ve read on here in various places that HD bearings are not all that, and if there is something a bit better, I’d like to go that route instead. Suggestions? One’s to avoid?
edit: the bike rides normally, no issues, but there was a lot of this stuff that worked its way around ( I know, should took a pic. I will if it comes back), and want to beat the breakdown if I can help it.
edit: the bike rides normally, no issues, but there was a lot of this stuff that worked its way around ( I know, should took a pic. I will if it comes back), and want to beat the breakdown if I can help it.
I used SKF last time, they did great, as have all my many SKFs I have used in the past and throughout my career. Finding a US made bearing proved impossible, and the SKFs are now made in India in our Harley sizes.
I wanted a Japanese bearing
I bought Brock's for my ABS bearings.
FWIW my OE Harley bearing howled at 9K miles, when I took the rear wheel off, one of them had lost the seal (just like you describe) and was failing.
The ALL BALLZ bearings are Chinese. I have read no issues of them, I just don't want Chinese wheel bearings.
The Timkens in our size are also Chinese
Last edited by NorthWestern; May 7, 2025 at 08:47 PM.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 384
From: Arkansastan
I went with NACHI bearings for my new wheels I just got, they are made in Japan. They cost a few bucks more, but who cares?
I used SKF last time, they did great, as have all my many SKFs I have used in the past and throughout my career. Finding a US made bearing proved impossible, and the SKFs are now made in India in our Harley sizes.
I wanted a Japanese bearing
I bought Brock's for my ABS bearings.
FWIW my OE Harley bearing howled at 9K miles, when I took the rear wheel off, one of them had lost the seal (just like you describe) and was failing.
The ALL BALLZ bearings are Chinese. I have read no issues of them, I just don't want Chinese wheel bearings.
The Timkens in our size are also Chinese
I used SKF last time, they did great, as have all my many SKFs I have used in the past and throughout my career. Finding a US made bearing proved impossible, and the SKFs are now made in India in our Harley sizes.
I wanted a Japanese bearing
I bought Brock's for my ABS bearings.
FWIW my OE Harley bearing howled at 9K miles, when I took the rear wheel off, one of them had lost the seal (just like you describe) and was failing.
The ALL BALLZ bearings are Chinese. I have read no issues of them, I just don't want Chinese wheel bearings.
The Timkens in our size are also Chinese