Rear Wheel Bearing any cheaper than Dealership

[Old Geezer Richard]

  Does anyone know the conversion part number for the rear wheel bearings for our Valks ??  I checked with the local Stealership and the price was $ 25.94 for the smaller brake side & $ 67.77 for the larger drive side .... Can I get the same bearings from a local bearing shop cheaper ???  Thanks the Geezer 

[FW_ValkyrieInterstate]

According to http://www.jkozloski.com/generic_parts.htm:

1997 Front 6004-2RS

1998-2000
Front, 6204-2RS or  6204LL
And all models left rear 6204-2RS or  6204LL
(same bearing different mfg.) 6204 is size, letters indicate sealed both sides. See below about seal designation
 
1997-2000 All right rear  5204?? Double Row Angular Contact Bearing
They need to be sealed both sides.
MRC #5204ZZ
RSR #5204EE
IKS #52042RS
The list goes on, and on. Just get a 5204 that is sealed on both sides. Mfg's use different suffixes to designate seal configuration. The list would be as long as my arm. And if you ask for a 5204 2RS and the child behind the counter knows nothing about bearings, he may tell you they don't have it. But they do have 5204ZZ's. But that isn't what you asked for.
If you have a "bearing house" nearby go there and ask for a 5204 with seals on both sides, then keep a spare at home. They only cost about $11

Greg

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Local bearing houses carry the 5204 sealed on both sides bearings SKF or any  (american made) good brand bearing for about 25-30 bucks.Richard unless your in a hurry you might think about doing the bearing mod and get a cut down spacer from Grumpy and put two new 5204 bearings in there at one time.

[Old Geezer Richard]

  Hey Greg , I like to know where I can buy those bearings for $ 11.00 , because the price I'm getting is about $29.35 for the smaller & $ 78.59 for the larger .... I thought the Stealership price of $67.77 was alot ... but because its a double roller its gonna be expensive what I have been told ... the parts guy says that the Japanese quality is the same as the American made bearings he also said to stay away from ANYTHING from China   ...  Thanks the Geezer  

[Old Geezer Richard]

  Hey Bubbles , I can't find any bearings for no $ 25 or $ 30 here in San Antonio ... I found these bearings made in Turkey for $ 12.00 for the smaller & $ 20.00 for the larger bearing ... still looking around ...  Thanks the Geezer 

[Hoovey]

Here's where I ordered mine.

http://www.vxb.com/page/bearings/PROD/Kit10108

[FW_ValkyrieInterstate]

 Hey Greg , I like to know where I can buy those bearings for $ 11.00 , because the price I'm getting is about $29.35 for the smaller & $ 78.59 for the larger .... I thought the Stealership price of $67.77 was alot ... but because its a double roller its gonna be expensive what I have been told ... the parts guy says that the Japanese quality is the same as the American made bearings he also said to stay away from ANYTHING from China   ...  Thanks the Geezer  

Sorry, that was just a cut and paste from the link I supplied. I have never purchased them. I just remembered reading that page with generic parts.

[F6MoRider]

 Hey Greg , I like to know where I can buy those bearings for $ 11.00 , because the price I'm getting is about $29.35 for the smaller & $ 78.59 for the larger .... I thought the Stealership price of $67.77 was alot ... but because its a double roller its gonna be expensive what I have been told ... the parts guy says that the Japanese quality is the same as the American made bearings he also said to stay away from ANYTHING from China   ...  Thanks the Geezer  

http://www.usabearingsandbelts.com/m7/5204--5204-2rs-5204-zz-premium-double-row-ball-bearings-20x47x20-6.html

Now up to $15 +/-  for the 5204 dbl sealed (metal or rubber).  Get the rubber sealed...

Ref the China comment, when I talked to the guy behind the counter, he said long ago there was an issue with plastics being used inside Chinese bearings for the races but those problems have long since been corrected.  I asked about the warranty difference and he said there was not any difference in the warranty.  Labor in China is 1/10 of the cost as in Japan and Japan is even cheaper than the US.  Moreover, this place is across the street from the airport and they sell tons to the aircraft owners/mechanics there.

[Old Geezer Richard]

  Hey Mr. Bubbles , no I ain't in rush , matter of fact the rear bearings are OK until I take a good look at them  .......  While I'm out of school for the summer , I was planning to do the rear drive maint. and while I have the wheel off wanted to replace the dampers , replace the 3-O rings , put some fresh moly paste on the splines and drive shaft splines , check out the U-joint and replace the rear bearing while I have everything out .... My Fat Lady has about 85,000 + - miles on the clock so I figured I did not want any surprises down the road ... matter of fact Mr. Bubbles,  I had bought a complete swing-arm /rear drive unit a few years back that I moth-balled out of a wrecked 2001 Valk Tourer and it was complete with drive shaft , U-joint everything I would need to swap out , so I'm thinking I ought to replace the U-joint also with those miles just to be safe , whats you think Mr. Bubbles ??   I have read about the double bearing Mod , but don't know what exactly is involved ?? I don't care to have to take anything to a machine shop which would add more down time .... I just want to be able to be done with what I mentioned in a day or two ... Thanks the Geezer 

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Richard,  I think Grumpy  does it on an exchange system. Send him the spacer off your spare assembly and just wait until you get the spacer and the new bearings. That is if you want to do the mod. My bike just rolled 150 thousand on it and is still running like a molested ape. THese things were made by the Timex devision of Honda. Remember they take a licken and keep on ticking.

[F6MoRider]

I asked the bearing folks to provide some input on the Chinese v. US v Nippon bearing discussion.  Here's what they had to say.[standard disclaimer applies, I do not have an interest in any of these companies or dealerships or....]

"Not ALL Chinese bearings are bad, in fact some are better than US or Japanese. There is some real crap out there, but our major manufacture actually makes their component parts for RBC an American company.  They [sic RBC] simply assemble them here.  This is the same with many of the other manufactures.  Look at their annual reports and you will see that even SKF has opened their 2nd factory in China.  Timken has opened their factories there too.  They simply bring in the parts and then are able to mark them USA.  You really don’t know where they are being manufactured.  China has gotten a bad rap for only making bad products, and yes they can make bad, but they are also smart and can make good products too.  Your flat panel TV and smart phones are made there.  I think a lot of these people who say all China is bad are people who want to sell the higher brand names and want to protect this market.
 
This is just a little of what we have observed,
Customer Service,
USA Bearings & Belts"