Rear double row bearing

[flash2002]

I don't know if this was ever mention but did you know, you can take apart the double row bearing for cleaning and greasing.

                  

[John Schmidt]

Not the bearings in my bike, they're sealed tight and to try pulling them apart will only lead to replacing them. I know some that are listed as "sealed" can be disassembled, but a true sealed bearing will only be damaged if you try it.

[flash2002]

These are stock bearings, if you go with a point and fallow the edge of the center of the seal, you can get under the seal and they just pop off. Then you pop out the 2 retainers and the bearings fall out.

[98valk]

better to use a grease gun needle fitting and just install additional grease under the seal. I've done to a few bearings over the yrs.  for some bearings the seal cover cannot be re-installed correctly.

[flash2002]

i like to take them apart ( if I can ) to clean out the old grease then install the bearings with new grease.

[Chrisj CMA]

The wheel bearings our bikes use are not meant to be regreased.  It's not a maintenance item.

[98valk]

The wheel bearings our bikes use are not meant to be regreased.  It's not a maintenance item.

I understand that Chris. however bearings in general usually fail because the grease dries out over time which results on zero lubrication. A little extra grease, refreshes the extra grease. it is just something that can be done, or wait for failure and then replace.

case in point just redid my alternator at 52k. I could feel a little roughness in rear bearing, meaning the grease dried up, however its too small to add grease, so I replaced in this case. I've had front belt bearings of Subaru engines, do the same thing. feel a little rough, spin too easily, add some grease, then they feel like a new one. 50k miles later they were still fine.
now just did front wheel, left bearing failed, however right was still good but different feel right,added some grease, felt like the new one.
one such good read.
http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/751/lubrication-bearings-rolling

[h13man]

At the point that the grease dries out I would think the damage is already done. I agree this particular item is a "perishable" item and yes these are expensive items but being broke down on the side of the road due to this item failure and you have roadside assistance on your insurance then go for it. $52 for the bearing is cheaper and less hassle than a on the road breakdown.

[98valk]

At the point that the grease dries out I would think the damage is already done. I agree this particular item is a "perishable" item and yes these are expensive items but being broke down on the side of the road due to this item failure and you have roadside assistance on your insurance then go for it. $52 for the bearing is cheaper and less hassle than a on the road breakdown.

I completely agree.
what I was trying to get across is if some extra grease is installed before it dries out the bearing life will be greatly extended and the bearing doesn't have to be a perishable item. once it dries out then failure is on the way, and adding grease at that point will just push the failure point out further. 
If one wants to know how often, a maintenance schedule would have to be developed based on that motorcycles riding/usage conditions, since so many things could affect the bearing. My safe guess would be every other tire change to add some grease.

[Paladin528]

I paid $32 for ALL new bearings front and rear and all NON-Chinese.  Cheaper than the tube of grease.

[flash2002]

I paid $32 for ALL new bearings front and rear and all NON-Chinese.  Cheaper than the tube of grease.

Where did you get a full set of bearings at that price. At that price I would buy a set but here in Montreal that would be the price for 1 1/2  bearing LOL.  The most expensive one is the double row, I have two in the rear wheel.

[gordonv]

I paid $32 for ALL new bearings front and rear and all NON-Chinese.  Cheaper than the tube of grease.

Where did you get a full set of bearings at that price. At that price I would buy a set but here in Montreal that would be the price for 1 1/2  bearing LOL.  The most expensive one is the double row, I have two in the rear wheel.

I think I paid $14 at a local bearing house here in BC, but it was back in 2010 for my first Valkyrie. I was going to do the double roller bearing mod.

[98valk]

These are stock bearings, if you go with a point and fallow the edge of the center of the seal, you can get under the seal and they just pop off. Then you pop out the 2 retainers and the bearings fall out.

I tried popping the seal off last night of the old OEM bearing. These bearings allow easy on/off of the seals. thanks for the info.
The last time I did any bearings were front belt bearings on a subaru engine. that type of bearing doesn't like its seal removed. I later found out a new seal needed to be installed per its design. so I just used the needle grease fitting on those. 70k miles later and they were still fine.
I suspect the front belt bearings of the Valkyrie will be similar to the subaru's.  they will get a shot grease when I swap out the heads this winter.

[RonW]

The last time I did any bearings were front belt bearings on a subaru engine. that type of bearing doesn't like its seal removed. I later found out a new seal needed to be installed per its design. so I just used the needle grease fitting on those.

• I suspect the front belt bearings of the Valkyrie will be similar to the subaru's.
  

• they will get a shot grease when I swap out the heads this winter.
  

The Valk's timing belt bearing is fully encased. (Below, ebay pic of Oem.)

[flash2002]

The last time I did any bearings were front belt bearings on a subaru engine. that type of bearing doesn't like its seal removed. I later found out a new seal needed to be installed per its design. so I just used the needle grease fitting on those.

• I suspect the front belt bearings of the Valkyrie will be similar to the subaru's.
  

I did a few of those to, pull the cap off, clean the inside, new grease and got some dome shape freeze plugs that just fits and gave it a good whack with the round end of the hammer. The plug spreads out and holds tight, voila like new. If they would make these things with roller bearings, they might last longer, I think.

• they will get a shot grease when I swap out the heads this winter.
  

The Valk's timing belt bearing is fully encased. (Below, ebay pic of Oem.)

[RonW]

amazing!