Front wheel bearigs

[rknef777]

Need help with complicated problem.  Gone through two sets of bearings in last 4 months.  Few hundred
Miles on each set.  Somthing very wrong!  Some background. Replaced my tires this winter with chrome
But stock wheels.  Company down in Corpis christie chromes wheels then you send them yours.
Everything seemed good but noticed some hi speed vibration around 80-85.  Thought maybe the balance
Was out.  Used balance beeds to balance.  Anyway a few 100 miles more and bearing went.  Replaced
At honda dealer with new set.  Few hundred miles more and these bearings went. Not a clue why this is happening ecept that wheel might be damaged. Honda dealer said the looked good when they replaced
Them.  Could not see any damage to wheel.  Now im going to try another wheel to see if it happens again.  Anyone ever had a problem like this..  When a bearing goes can it damage the wheel?  Thanks for any input.

[gordonv]

I see you have a low # of posts, new to the forum?

I don't know too much, but my first thought was that the front wheel has been repeatedly mounted wrong. I'm on a tablet, so can't search easily, but look up how to mount that front axle.

Who's been mounting it each time, you or a shop?

Is there chrome where the bearing is seated? I can't see a layer of chrome butting the bearing out where it's not mounted properly.

Just trying to get things moving.

[rknef777]

Ive been around a while but have not posted much lately.  Could of screwed up putting wheel back in
But Honda shop did it the second time and said wheel looked ok.  Even put new oil and bushings in the
Forkss.  Cand a blown bearing mess up the wheel.  Did not run it long but was some pretty loud popping
Going on when bearing went.

[flash2002]

Did you check to see if they installed the spacer in between the two bearings. If it's not there the bearings will compress when the wheel is tighten .

[Patrick]

The bearings could be damaged upon installation because of the thickness of the chrome or just improper installation procedure.
There is also a procedure for fork and axle alignment.

[Valkpilot]

Another consideration:  

With my chrome wheels, someone honed out the bearing cup in the hub, presumably because they hadn't plugged it and chromed the inside of the cup, making the fit too tight.  In doing so, they made the cup slightly oversized.  When the bearings were installed, they appeared to seat tightly but in fact the outer race was able to spin in the bearing cup.  In my case, you could pull the bearings out with your finger.

Left too long, the rotating outer race can wallow out the bearing cup making it both more over-sized and possibly out of round as well.  Now you've got a situation where uneven pressure is being applied to the circumference of the bearing and they will wear quickly.

I was able to catch this in time and solved the problem by taking a long pointed punch and dimpling the inside of the bearing cup around the circumference at about the level of the middle of the bearing outer race if the bearing was in place.  I used the spoke locations as guides, first punching 5 points, then going between each of those for a total of 10.  This creates a raised place, like the rim of an impact crater, at each punch point.  When you seat the bearing the raised material sort of smears into a permanent shim, effectively bringing the bearing cup back to a correct dimension.   This would only be effective though if there's only a small difference between the over-sized cup and the spec dimension.

[indybobm]

What year is your Valk? Do you know what year the front wheel is? When you are buying bearings, are you buying them for a 97 Valk or 98 and later? I am not saying that you are using the wrong bearings because the wrong bearings will not fit at all.
Seems like BonS (sorry if I remember this incorrectly) had a similiar problem with a chromed 97 front wheel and thought that the distance collar between the front bearings was a different length for a 97 wheel and 98 and later wheels. Not a big difference but enough to affect the side load on the bearing.
If I remember correctly, seems like there was a difference of about .030".

Edit:
The post from BonS  http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,78976.0.html

[Tfrank59]

Did you check to see if they installed the spacer in between the two bearings. If it's not there the bearings will compress when the wheel is tighten .

+   this is obviously an installation problem, because bearings last for years when correctly installed. If the spacer between The two bearings is missing or if it's too short it will cause a failure along the lines of what you've experienced – very short life. (when installed correctly the inside spacer will fit tightly between the inner races of both bearings) My suggestion is buy new bearings and seals and bring the wheel to a shop where they know what they're doing on installing bearings.  The mechanics that do the work are going to have to figure out whether the chrome job messed up the bearing bores and they may have to do some handwork with a flapper wheel or something.  Afterwards post a follow up and let us know what you learn

[flash2002]

That's what happens when you let a dealer do the job. Maybe they forgot the spacer or installed the bearings with a hammer. When you do it yourself, you know it's done right. The only time I go to the dealer is to change the tires and even then, I keep my eyes on them.

[h13man]

Buy your bearings @ your local motion supply dealer and install by pressing on the outer race ONLY. You can use the old bearing or a socket to accomplish this feat. Also careful use of a cheap small clear yellow plastic head mallet can be used for this operation.

[Cracker Jack]

That's what happens when you let a dealer do the job. Maybe they forgot the spacer or installed the bearings with a hammer. When you do it yourself, you know it's done right. The only time I go to the dealer is to change the tires and even then, I keep my eyes on them.

"When you do it yourself, you know it's done right". That appears to be a common position taken on this board.

I think a better statement might be, "When you do it yourself, you know who to blame if it's not done right".

I question whether you necessarily have a better chance of success with little or no mechanical experience by simply getting your help from this or other online help as opposed to a dealer mechanic with some actual training. Sounds good though. While most of the advice given on this board is good, I sometimes find it questionable.

[indybobm]

rknef777, you did not tell us the year of your bike and and whether or not you are using 97 front bearings or 98 or later front bearings. What year bike are you ordering them for?
Also, are you using the distance collar from your original front wheel?

[rknef777]

Hey Guys, 
   Thanks for all the imput.  Sorry it took so long to get back.  Up to my ars in alligators.  Anyway
Honda shop called me today.  The wheel actually has a hairline crack in it.  Not sure when or how that happened.  Might of been from the chome shop that got a bad wheel or when the bearings where taken
Out twice but they are going to cover it.  Now i just need to get the chrome company to send another wheel.  For those tha had suggestions thanks.  It is a 98 tourer and yes they did send a 98 wheel.
Problem was the spacer was wrong so I had to pull the bearings and replace the spacer.  They actually sent my brother n law a 97 wheel that wiil go on a 98 but the bearings are smaller so they are sending him a new wheel also.  Needles to say probably wont do busness with this company anymore.  They did plug the whole prior to chroming them so that was not an issue.  My guess is either it was a bad wheel
To begin with or when replacing bearings twice, wheel got messed up.  Either way need a new wheel but just happened o et one that is in good shape so I can ride.  Chrome company said they will send me a new wheel.  Thanks everyone and will keep you updated.  Also send pics.  My bike is a show peice if I say so myself.

[Bighead]

That's what happens when you let a dealer do the job. Maybe they forgot the spacer or installed the bearings with a hammer. When you do it yourself, you know it's done right. The only time I go to the dealer is to change the tires and even then, I keep my eyes on them.

"When you do it yourself, you know it's done right". That appears to be a common position taken on this board.

I think a better statement might be, "When you do it yourself, you know who to blame if it's not done right".

I question whether you necessarily have a better chance of success with little or no mechanical experience by simply getting your help from this or other online help as opposed to a dealer mechanic with some actual training. Sounds good though. While most of the advice given on this board is good, I sometimes find it questionable.

CJ there are very few mechanics left around that even know what the hell a Valkyrie is, so no they aren't trained on working on it. I do happen to know a very good mechanic that can work on one if need be. But at the shop rates of $75-$80 an hour no thanks.

[Cracker Jack]

That's what happens when you let a dealer do the job. Maybe they forgot the spacer or installed the bearings with a hammer. When you do it yourself, you know it's done right. The only time I go to the dealer is to change the tires and even then, I keep my eyes on them.

"When you do it yourself, you know it's done right". That appears to be a common position taken on this board.

I think a better statement might be, "When you do it yourself, you know who to blame if it's not done right".

I question whether you necessarily have a better chance of success with little or no mechanical experience by simply getting your help from this or other online help as opposed to a dealer mechanic with some actual training. Sounds good though. While most of the advice given on this board is good, I sometimes find it questionable.

CJ there are very few mechanics left around that even know what the hell a Valkyrie is, so no they aren't trained on working on it. I do happen to know a very good mechanic that can work on one if need be. But at the shop rates of $75-$80 an hour no thanks.

Big, you are probably the only guy around  that can speak to the experience of ALL the dealer mechanics around and knows their training and mechanical background. I don't know even one and you may be right.

I agree that I'm not willing to go the going rates for dealer mechanics therefore I'll do my own work for that reason. I wouldn't let the FACT that virtually all dealer mechanics are incompetent slow me down if I needed one. Now that I know I can ask you where that good one is I would be a little more likely to use him.

[Bighead]

You got a serious problem

[Cracker Jack]

You got a serious problem

Thanks for the diagnosis!

(However I do take your diagnosis with a grain of salt. )

[Bighead]

You got a serious problem

Thanks for the diagnosis!

(However I do take your diagnosis with a grain of salt. )

Well first off you are welcome. 2nd where did I say ALL of any Mechanics ? I was stating in general there are very few dealers today that have Mechanics that ever see a valk. And I have been to dealer where thay ask what is that bike you are riding. So I stand b my assumption that there are not very many versed VALK mechanics out there.

[Cracker Jack]

You got a serious problem

Thanks for the diagnosis!

(However I do take your diagnosis with a grain of salt. )

Well first off you are welcome. 2nd where did I say ALL of any Mechanics ? I was stating in general there are very few dealers today that have Mechanics that ever see a valk. And I have been to dealer where thay ask what is that bike you are riding. So I stand b my assumption that there are not very many versed VALK mechanics out there.

I'm a little embarrassed for having gotten involved in this petty exchange, however, at the risk of further validating your "serious problem" diagnosis, I'll offer this final thought.

You stated that very few mechanics know what a Valkyrie is and then went on to say that, "so, no they (they being Honda dealer mechanics) aren't trained on working on it".

Maybe if you had said that "many" or "most" or "not very many are" as you stated in your last post aren't trained on working on it, I wouldn't have questioned it. Shouldn't have questioned it anyway.

I'm out, you have the last word.

[Bighead]

Last word and just go to a dealer and see how many mechanics they have that have been around since they quit making the Valk and you will find very few.