Left rear bearing failure diagnostic by Wanderer

[5_19]

Jeff is a genius  . Folks I know its hard to believe. When I got back from InZaneX Jeff send me a SMS for an update on our status. Told him I was back etc etc and that my bike had a vibration that I could feel in my foot pegs. Instantly he replied you have a wheel bearing going out. Here is the result.

Right side of left rear seal and bearing Note shiny-er away from the seal.

Left side of left rear seal and bearing.
In my case bearing life was shortend by a bad seal and 1000 or more (s)miles in the rain. I caught it in time without any major damage. Thanks Jeff!!!!!

[Daniel Meyer]

Also will help that every time you have the wheel off, smear the bearing edge with some wheel bearing grease. It keeps dust/water from working on the actual seal in the bearing and will extend the life.

[Wanderer]

A nice clean spacer and the greese Dan'l mentioned is the kind of thang you can take the time to do yourself that others may not do. I would suggest spending a little more on your bearings at a bearing shop for an upgrade over OEM.

It had actually come to me in a vision the night before we talked, TJ. Now, back to our regularly scheduled bs just as soon as I get rid of these satelite news trucks in my front yard! ~Jeff

[john]

question ... if i may ...     
will any bearing shop be/have an upgrade over oem wheel bearings ?
there are a couple in tyler ...      ???
expected cost ... 
thanks guys     ya'll are the best     

[Daniel Meyer]

question ... if i may ...     
will any bearing shop be/have an upgrade over oem wheel bearings ?
there are a couple in tyler ...      ???
expected cost ... 
thanks guys     ya'll are the best     

Bearing numbers are here:
http://www.jkozloski.com/generic_parts.htm

You can get them at any decent bearing shop. Also NAPA.

[Disco]

John,

Your '98 takes two 6204 bearings up front and one 6204 + one 5204 bearing for the rear.  When I did mine earlier this year, my local NAPA didn't show a listing for the 5204 (probably operator error) and the 6204 was Made in China.  I got mine at Purvis (Made in Argentina).  They are everywhere and the closest one to you is  TX

2565 W. NW Loop 323
Tyler, TX  75702
PH. 903-593-6077
FAX 903-593-2492

DFG

[HayHauler]

Jeff is a genius  . Folks I know its hard to believe. When I got back from InZaneX Jeff send me a SMS for an update on our status. Told him I was back etc etc and that my bike had a vibration that I could feel in my foot pegs. Instantly he replied you have a wheel bearing going out. Here is the result.
Right side of left rear seal and bearing Note shiny-er away from the seal.
Left side of left rear seal and bearing.
In my case bearing life was shortend by a bad seal and 1000 or more (s)miles in the rain. I caught it in time without any major damage. Thanks Jeff!!!!!

Jeff has forgotten more than I will probably ever know about the Valk....  
Thanks my brotha..

Hay  
Jimmyt

[franco6]

yo too after coming back from Mi. i noticed a sort of dry spot viration under foot and in the grips .it comes and goes ,mostly around 3200 rpm and in deceleration. now it has mostly desapeared or i m getting used to it ? i feel it sometimes during left banking .the problem is the ST is out waiting for a new VRR or alt. replacement
 so the valk is my only mode of transport now.
WIZARD when is the next Wrench party?
do the bearing seats have to be changed also?
 

[5_19]

yo too after coming back from Mi. i noticed a sort of dry spot viration under foot and in the grips .it comes and goes ,mostly around 3200 rpm and in deceleration. now it has mostly desapeared or i m getting used to it ? i feel it sometimes during left banking .the problem is the ST is out waiting for a new VRR or alt. replacement
 so the valk is my only mode of transport now.
WIZARD when is the next Wrench party?
do the bearing seats have to be changed also?
 

I can't believe Jeff hasn't already called you. He probably had nightmare's all week! 
Check those bearings, there are no bearing seats, don't wait to long because you could ruin a wheel and/or a shaft and your description fits mine to a T. Good luck ~TJ

[franco6]

I saw this coming for a while.  Is this a sign?

[godfire]

I saw this coming for a while.  Is this a sign?

Yes, it's a sign of many more happy miles ahead!