Wheel berrings

[TOPGUN351]

I HAVE A 2003 STANDARD ARE THE WHEEL BERRINGS THE SAME ON ALL MODLES AND YEARS? HONDA DIRECT SELLS 97-01 JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE BEFORE I BUY. THANKS

[Bob E.]

I believe they are all the same except for the 97...which had smaller front wheel bearings.

By the way, I also believe that both front wheel bearings and the left rear bearing are all the same.  The right rear bearing is different...and much more expensive than the others.

[Master Blaster]

97 fronts are smaller diameter even though the axle is the same.  Their failure rate is no different than the later models.  I think changing bearings as preventative maintence is not a good idea.  They are an on condition item and if they are good there is no point in changing them plus I have seen some premature failures after replacement, and also have seen some bearing pockets messed up during replacement.  However I do think its a good strategy to carry a spare front and left rear for 97, or a left rear for the later models which also fit the fornt.  Right rear failure is very rare.  I say this because I changed a left rear in a hotel parking lot one year at Bike Week.  Was done with minimum tools and no jack.  This was on the weekend and no shops were open and othrewise would have tied us up for three days.  Sure saved the trip.

[fudgie]

97 fronts are smaller diameter even though the axle is the same.  Their failure rate is no different than the later models.  I think changing bearings as preventative maintence is not a good idea.  They are an on condition item and if they are good there is no point in changing them plus I have seen some premature failures after replacement, and also have seen some bearing pockets messed up during replacement.  However I do think its a good strategy to carry a spare front and left rear for 97, or a left rear for the later models which also fit the fornt.  Right rear failure is very rare.  I say this because I changed a left rear in a hotel parking lot one year at Bike Week.  Was done with minimum tools and no jack.  This was on the weekend and no shops were open and othrewise would have tied us up for three days.  Sure saved the trip.

How do you do it with no jack? Center stand?

[Master Blaster]

was some construction going nearby, got a couple of cinderblocks and a bunch of pieces. Put blocks under, lean one way stuff pieces under, lean other way, stuff pieces under, keep it up untill it is high enough to remove the affected wheel.  Not elegant, but effective.  Bearing was in pieces, and found an auto garage close that loaned a slide hammer to get the outer race out.  Start to finish was about 2 hours,  would have been tied up for several days if I did not have the bearing, and had of waited untill a shop was open.