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CoreyP
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« on: October 09, 2019, 08:00:43 PM » |
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I have 36K miles on my bike I just got wondering what kind of life you guys are getting out of your front bearings?
I ask because the bike I just bought came with a box of parts, new brake pads front and rear, wheel bearings, two for the front and one big one for the rear. Checked the front brake pads out today and they were just about gone so I changed them out. Wonder if I should take the front wheel off and check out the bearings? Seems like the bike doesn't have enough miles for the bearings to go but I'm wondering if this guy knows more than me and was prepared for parts that were about worn out? I do feel a little bit of a grind coming from the front wheel. Not sure if that was the brake pads or the bearings starting to fail.
Don't know how these big bikes wear out parts? Usually the rear bearings go forever and front ones last 50K or so. Just don't know on a Valkyrie.
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16773
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #1 on: October 09, 2019, 08:41:59 PM » |
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I wouldn't change the bearings unless there was a reason... there's 75,000
miles on my rear ones and some years ago I had a front one start making noise
at the Fall Color Ride and I changed it. When you have the wheels off you
can feel if they seem smooth and nice...
-Mike
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2019, 05:57:00 AM » |
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I agree with Mike. When I first got my Standard, I read up here all about them. Decided it would be wise to get some wheel bearings and keep them with the bike on long trips. 50k later on it and 145k later on the Interstate and I'm still on the OEM bearings. (I've probably just jinxed myself)
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Tfrank59
Member
Posts: 1364
'98 Tourer
Western Washington
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« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2019, 07:05:57 AM » |
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I changed my front and rear wheel bearings at around 30K--didn't need to. One of them (rear I think) I actually had to as I had an oops and damaged the seal somehow (guess I could have just changed the seal, oh well). I don't see in your post what year your bike is as the 97s had smaller front wheel bearings and there were some reports of those failing.
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-Tom
Keep the rubber side down. USMC '78-'84
'98 Valkyrie, ‘02 VTX 1800, '96 Royal Star, '06 Drifter, '09 Bonneville, '10 KTM 530, '04 XR 650, '76 Bultaco, '81 CR 450, '78 GS 750...
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sandy
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« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2019, 07:44:37 AM » |
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I sold a Valk with 155K and it had the original front bearings. Rears went bad, but I don't remember the mileage.
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RWhitehouse
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« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2019, 10:36:37 AM » |
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At around 45k the brake side (single row) rear on mine was a little loose when checked, this is the one that's more known to fail. The drive side (double row) still felt brand new, very smooth and tight. The fronts also felt fine. The one rear wasn't in danger of imminent failure, but putting the axle in and leaning on it, definitely had more slop than the others and a bit of coarseness could be felt while rolling.
Some people replace the single row bearing with a double row, same as the other side, however this involves machining the spacer thinner, and you can't use the dust seal so the bearing's grease seal is more vulnerable to damage. I didn't bother with this and just replaced it with a good quality SKF bearing in stock size.
The trick to removing them is to get a concrete wedge anchor, tap it into the bearing's I.D, flip the wheel around and hit the back/flat part of the wedge lightly a few times to expand the clip and have it really bite into the I.D. The use a drift, old crappy socket extension, ect, and blast it. Bearing flew right out after a couple solid hits. I forget exactly what size the anchor was but I got it at home depot for like $3, and have re-used it loads of times on various bikes.
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CoreyP
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« Reply #6 on: October 10, 2019, 12:11:22 PM » |
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My bike is a 2001 standard.
It's more a matter of I don't really want to take the wheel off right now. I will when I get time on my hands. I know what a bad bearing feels like.
Also tip on bearing replacement, I always put the new ones in the freezer over night, they slide right in much easier doing it that way.
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Ramie
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« Reply #7 on: October 10, 2019, 06:05:34 PM » |
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I agree with Mike. When I first got my Standard, I read up here all about them. Decided it would be wise to get some wheel bearings and keep them with the bike on long trips. 50k later on it and 145k later on the Interstate and I'm still on the OEM bearings. (I've probably just jinxed myself)
Just for you Meathead https://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/how-to-think-positive-without-thinking-it-will-jinx-you |
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“I am not a courageous person by nature. I have simply discovered that, at certain key moments in this life, you must find courage in yourself, in order to move forward and live. It is like a muscle and it must be exercised, first a little, and then more and more. A deep breath and a leap.”
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Skinhead
Member
Posts: 8726
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
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« Reply #8 on: October 11, 2019, 03:57:08 AM » |
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Quick and easy check, with the front wheel off the ground and calipers off, spin the wheel and listen closely for any grinding or other noise from the bearings. Also grab the wheel and try yo shake it side to side and top to bottom. If any noise or play is felt, remove the wheel and check each bearing for smooth rotation, replace if any catch or roughness is detected.
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 Troy, MI |
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Willow
Administrator
Member
Posts: 16601
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
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« Reply #9 on: October 11, 2019, 02:40:11 PM » |
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As to the original question it's my belief it has more to do with treatment than mileage.
Some seem to last forever. A number seem to fail after a tire change. Some have had failures resulting from high pressure wash directly on the axle.
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old2soon
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« Reply #10 on: October 12, 2019, 06:00:42 AM » |
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Quick and easy check, with the front wheel off the ground and calipers off, spin the wheel and listen closely for any grinding or other noise from the bearings. Also grab the wheel and try yo shake it side to side and top to bottom. If any noise or play is felt, remove the wheel and check each bearing for smooth rotation, replace if any catch or roughness is detected.
That mechanics stethoscope from H/F comes in handy fer lotsa stuff. Specially with that extension tube fer the snug areas. RIDE SAFE. |
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Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
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da prez
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« Reply #11 on: October 15, 2019, 03:24:26 PM » |
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Do not use a pressure washer on the bike. It will destroy the seals.
da prez
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