Double Row Wheel Bearing Mod 10K Mile Update

[X Ring]

Last weekend I tore everything out from the u joint back for 50K mile servicing.  I promised all ya'll I would post pics of my double row left bearing when I did.  Here it is:



As you can see the bearing exterior is in perfect shape.  All that covered it was a layer of grease I smeared on the seal to prevent the seal from drying out.  The bearing was nice and tight and smooth as silk.

Marty

[Garland]

Thanks for the update. I have been thinking of doing this but have been waiting for someone to get some miles on one.

[Hoghead]

I am doing the mod on my right now. I am glad to see this. I thought I would put some marine grease on mine. a friend has made a dust seal but i'm not sure if its what I want to use. I am going to a seal distributer tomorrow and see if I can find something that will encase the exposed seal. I will let you know what i find.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I've got my Interstate on the lift right now doing new tires and maintence . I've got about 10,000 plus miles on my blue bike ( below ) with the bearing mod and now I'm doing the one on my Interstate. Soon as I recover the hit to my pocket buying new tires , brakes , dampers etc on the Interstate my yellow bike will be getting the same 

[Bullgoose]

Can't seem to find the procedure for this mod. A link? ???

[X Ring]

Ask and ye shall receive.  http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/5204_bearing_mod.pdf

Marty

[X Ring]

I am doing the mod on my right now. I am glad to see this. I thought I would put some marine grease on mine. a friend has made a dust seal but i'm not sure if its what I want to use. I am going to a seal distributer tomorrow and see if I can find something that will encase the exposed seal. I will let you know what i find.

miron discovered the Nilos Ring after I installed the double row bearing.  I installed it last weekend when I put the wheel back in.  When I initially installed the bearing I smeared wheel bearing grease on the outer seal to keep it from drying out.  I did that this time also before putting the Nilos Ring on.

Marty

[X Ring]

I've got my Interstate on the lift right now doing new tires and maintence . I've got about 10,000 plus miles on my blue bike ( below ) with the bearing mod and now I'm doing the one on my Interstate. Soon as I recover the hit to my pocket buying new tires , brakes , dampers etc on the Interstate my yellow bike will be getting the same  

My Interstate will probably go up on the lift next weekend for a DarkSide tire and the double row bearing mod.

Marty

[Hoghead]

Nice bikes X Ring. The ring looks as if it will hold the grease on better. I still think I can find a better seal. I will know tomorrow.

[X Ring]

The grease I smeared on the exterior of the bearing had not dried out.  Iirc, Warlock found a dust seal that was extremely thin but would still not fit on top of the bearing.

Marty

[2qmedic]

I have about 15k on my double bearing. Will be doing the spline maint soon.
So far, so good.

[X Ring]

Here's a pic of the Nilos Ring installed. 

Marty

[mirion]

A bearing without                                                                     and with the Nilos ring



A cross section of the bearing and Nilos Ring. A little grease in between would last for a long time.


I now have 4000 miles on my 97 with the rear bearing mod and a Nilos ring and all is fine although I have not had it apart for an inspection.

[X Ring]

Nice bikes X Ring. The ring looks as if it will hold the grease on better. I still think I can find a better seal. I will know tomorrow.

Yours is pretty nice too.  I see we both like Blue and Silver Interstates.  Btw, the Blue and White Tourer isn't mine.  That's Smokin Joe's  Bad Mojo.

Marty

[lljjmm]

Do you have remove extra from the spacer when you use the Nilos ring when installing the double row bearing or is there sufficient room?

[X Ring]

Do you have remove extra from the spacer when you use the Nilos ring when installing the double row bearing or is there sufficient room?

Iirc, the Nilos Ring is .018" thick so I'd remove another .020" for a total of .280".  What you could do is take the old bearing, the new bearing and the Nilos Ring to a machine shop and have them cut the spacer the total of the difference of the double row bearing and Nilos Ring above the single row bearing.

Marty

[2qmedic]

If a new double bearing mod is being done, then yes, it would be a good idea to take it all in to a machist.
If adding the Nilos ring to an existing double bearing mod, and will fit...then there is no problem because the rear axle nut is torqued. The torque provides the compression on the entire assembly.
The only reason to shave more of the spacer would only be so the pieces could be assembled.

[X Ring]

If a new double bearing mod is being done, then yes, it would be a good idea to take it all in to a machist.
If adding the Nilos ring to an existing double bearing mod, and will fit...then there is no problem because the rear axle nut is torqued. The torque provides the compression on the entire assembly.

1st I agree with you.  When I had my spacer cut the machinist recommended shaving another .010" off to increase the ease of assembly.  When I installed the Nilos Ring, I didn't shave the spacer anymore figuring there was enough room to fit it all in.  It was a little tight getting the spacer and caliper mount in but it fit.

Marty

[saabfxr]

Just did this mod last week and was glad to see the reports. Thanks. It seams smoother now but might just be the nrw tire. greased it all up and went to full synth diff oil.  Did @170 mile putt 2 up Sat, and was very nice. Does this change tire wear?? Went back to a Cobra this time, the 880 didnt last too long but did wear more evenly.  Put 440's on last fall,$$ well spent.

[X Ring]

I doubt it but I can't be sure.  Afaik, most of the people who did the double row bearing mod have also are running DarkSide.  At least the left side bearing is a helluva lot more reliable now.

Marty

[TJ]

Where are you getting the Nilos Ring ???

[X Ring]

Motion Industries.

Marty

[R J]

TJ.

At a Nilos ring store.      LOL.

Behave yourself this weekend and keep all the wheels on the ground, OK?

NO more fences.........  You're gettin too old for that sheet....

[Ricky-D]

I feel that doing the double bearing modification without adding the Nilos ring is a bad substitution and will end up being a modification that will reduce the reliability of the assembly.

Naturally, the stock Honda set-up is the easiest and most reliable in my estimation.

This isn't something you normally find in the recommended service interval charts, likewise, not something that you would expect to fail regardless of miles or years on the bike. The bearing that is!

***

[dwreefs]

Just wondering ?

    How many people have had problems with the stock bearings .I am going to go darkside this spring and was going to just put some new stock bearings in as my bike has 150000 km (90000 miles) and I do not have any maintenance history.   The stock ones seem to last a long time with the orignal tires

[Cattman]

I'm on my 3rd left rear bearing with 73k on the bike. I will do the double bearing at the next rear tire change.

[X Ring]

Here's a couple of poll threads done within the last year

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,20609.0.html

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,27408.0.html

As for me, I had bought a spare wheel that I was going to mount the DarkSide tire on.  Since I didn't know the history of the wheel, I decided to change the bearings for peace of mind.  I believe I explained all this in my ShopTalk article.

Marty

[Westsider]

i have done the bearing modification,,because all i've read it makes good sense....i would not just change a good bearing just because i have the wheel off.....thats like changing a water pump thats not leaking to me...... but upgrade yes  .

[TJ]

aNYONE HAVE A PART # FOR THE Nilos ring

[Rob A]

I'm on my 3rd left rear bearing with 73k on the bike. I will do the double bearing at the next rear tire change.

Me too,  except I have 75k on the bike.

[custom1]

aNYONE HAVE A PART # FOR THE Nilos ring

6204ZAV.

[TJ]

aNYONE HAVE A PART # FOR THE Nilos ring

6204ZAV.

THANK YOU.....

[2qmedic]

Just wondering ?

    How many people have had problems with the stock bearings .I am going to go darkside this spring and was going to just put some new stock bearings in as my bike has 150000 km (90000 miles) and I do not have any maintenance history.   The stock ones seem to last a long time with the orignal tires

There are too many people who have had left bearing failures. They fail any where from 30k to 130k (not exact #'s). But this could be from several reasons, but seems to be random failures with no single cause. It is a known weak area on the Honda Valkyrie.
I have 15K on my double bearing. The Nilos ring is not a necessity, but is a good measure of extra protection. Some will disagree saying not having the Nilos ring is a bad idea. It certanily does not hurt for the extra protection. Personally, I will be installing it the next time I have my wheel off as I didn't know about the nilos ring when I installed the bearing.
As a former aircraft mechanic, I believe in preventive maintenance.

Life is just too short when your having fun!!!  

[Warlock]

Just wondering ?

    How many people have had problems with the stock bearings .I am going to go darkside this spring and was going to just put some new stock bearings in as my bike has 150000 km (90000 miles) and I do not have any maintenance history.   The stock ones seem to last a long time with the orignal tires

There are too many people who have had left bearing failures. They fail any where from 30k to 130k (not exact #'s). But this could be from several reasons, but seems to be random failures with no single cause. It is a known weak area on the Honda Valkyrie.
I have 15K on my double bearing. The Nilos ring is not a necessity, but is a good measure of extra protection. Some will disagree saying not having the Nilos ring is a bad idea. It certanily does not hurt for the extra protection. Personally, I will be installing it the next time I have my wheel off as I didn't know about the nilos ring when I installed the bearing.
As a former aircraft mechanic, I believe in preventive maintenance.

Life is just too short when your having fun!!!  

Like you said the nilos washer is not needed. Sealed bearings has run for years to exposed conditions. I run the washer just for added protection. Different companies has made up grades when they find it is needed. Honda will not admit the left rear bearing is a weak point. With the knowledge here and people knows what is weak it's best to listen to what they say.
David