| Author | Message | ||
     Mark_weiss |
Just replaced the rear wheel bearings ('08, orange seals). At 25k, I changed the rear tire and checked the bearings. All seemed fine. At about 29k, I noted a quiet chirp/squeak just as I'd pull away from a stop. As time went by, the noise became more pronounced. Only under load though, only notable at low speeds. I noted that I could make the sound more pronounced by dragging the rear brake. Then, that I could initiate the sound with the rear brake. While replacing the bearings I note that the drive side bearing is a MUCH tighter fit in the hub than the brake side. With the bearings out, I cannot rotate the drive side piece without a great deal of force. The brake side bearing seems to have been OK. The new bearings have black seals. The label on the bearing pack was dated 11/08. Mark SEAZ | ||
| Ratbuell |
The black seal ones are the updated version. We just finished a 2200 mile Homecoming trip on my '06 Uly, 2-up, fully loaded (at or maybe a little above the GVWR in the manual...whoops, heheh). I've had black seal bearings in there for 10k miles now, no issues...but the rear wheel was getting a little warm after today's ride (800 miles in 14h45min). | ||
| Charlie_zulu |
During homecoming I changed out 2 sets of rears. My bike and Union mans. | ||
| Barkbuster |
My drive side failed in 7100 miles Friday.Bike is at Hal`s for warranty. Wanted to go to some of the homecoming activities Sat. but the bike got a ride in my truck instead. Saw a lot of Buells around Kenosha yesterday at Uke`s. | ||
| Skifastbadly |
Jesus Rat. I did 350 miles in 8 hours today and I was absolutely fried. I thought I was a manly man and now I find out I'm a pussy? | ||
| Missin44 |
So what is the consensus for the best brand rear bearings to use, go to the dealer and trust they get it right or aftermarket? | ||
| Hughlysses |
Missin44- there has been LOTS of discussion here about wheel bearings. Some aftermarket brands MAY be better than the latest OEM bearings but there's no consensus. For instance, if you buy an SKF bearing (normally one of the best brands) it may come from Sweden or it may come from some third world country. The only way to know is to look on the package or bearing. People have installed SKF's and still had failures after a short time, which seems to indicate the reliability has more to do with the installation or the wheel/spacer dimensions than the bearings. Based on that, I think I'd go with the OEM bearings. Your best bet is to carefully check the spacer dimensions and install the bearings per Al Lighton's information here: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=142838&post=1505281#POST1505281 | ||
| Union_man |
Charlie_zulu is my hero! Not only did he carry extra bearings, but also the tool to get them out! Karla and I would have been towed home and we would have missed everything! Thank you. I can't believe that your bearings went out too. WOW! I am sooooooo glad that Hal's HD had a set of replacement bearings so I could replace the ones you "loaned" me! To everyone else reading this... Go out to your bike and check your wheel bearings. The orange/red bearings fail without warning. If they are not the "new" black bearings change them NOW. BTW...I talked to Froggy at homecoming. His rear bearings went out on the way to homecoming too. | ||
| Xbimmer |
The orange/red bearings fail without warning. My original NTN orange bearings went 50K with no issues. I have no issues so far with the KBC blacks in over 20K. Since I had been regreasing the NTN's for over 30K I guess I could have monkeyed with the reputation but I doubt it. Like Hughlysses, I suspect other issues besides the bearings themselves. | ||
| Barkbuster |
Nuts. When i dropped my bike off the parts guy said they were out of stock At Hal`s. guess there were to many Buells in the neighborhood this week and a run on wheel bearings... l8r bb  | ||
| Charlie_zulu |
Union man purchased the last set of rears they had. | ||
| Union_man |
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| Hughlysses |
I said above I'd use OEM bearings, but if they aren't available, I wouldn't hesitate to go to an industrial bearing supplier and get a known brand of bearing from them so I could get my bike on the road. Before I changed to the 2010 wheel, I installed Koyo bearings in my original 2007 wheel at ~8000 miles. When I swapped wheels at 20,000 miles they were still smooth as silk. | ||
| Skifastbadly |
My bearings went out at about 22K. I only noticed it because when I changed my rear tire, I took it out on my street for a quick test without a helmet and heard this weird click coming from the back end. Probably wouldn't have heard it if I had my helmet on. I was thinking about bearings yesterday, I did a 350 mile look in the WA mountains. If the bearings go out "without warning", does it make sense to check them at all? I mean, they could go out five miles after you checked them, right? It's gotten to the point where I wiggle my bike back and forth listening for looseness at ever gas stop. Would I be better off just throwing a pair of spares in the case and waiting for the inevitable? Along with my spare belt? Should I get a spare voltage regulator while I'm at it? Hell, should I tow a parts bike behind me? | ||
| Union_man |
The problem is the Orange bearings on '06 and '07 (from what I have read). My rear bearing failed at 22k without any sign of failure. The Black bearings are the replacements that HD sells you. It is my understanding (I am not a bearing expert) that the Black bearings are sealed on both sides and the orange ones are only sealed on the outside. When my rear wheel was removed and we tipped the wheel about 1/8 of a cup of water came out. If the orange bearing is not water tight on the inside it gets wet!!! The ball bearings that came out of my rear wheel were rusty and about 1/3 of them were broken, mostly in half.   Bottom line...Orange bearings were replaced with better black bearings. Many people have experienced a failure of the orange bearings. New bearings are cheap. | ||
| Barkbuster |
Mines still under warranty so they are doing the work along with front brake pulsing,just hope parts are found and shipped soon! | ||
| Union_man |
Hughlysses Do you have a bearing cross-referance list? How do you order a comparable, and safe bearing from the side of the road? A list and a cell phone could get you home. | ||
| Mark_weiss |
My orange-seal bearings gave plenty of warning that something was amiss. Of note was that there was absolutely no moisture inside the wheel hub. The bearings looked good inside. No rust, nice, bright, transparent blue grease. When I removed the (inner)seal from the binding bearing, the whole thing freed up and turned without issue. Mark SEAZ | ||
| Union_man |
If I have the same problem with the new black bearings I will let you know. Then it is surely "other issues besides the bearings." But for now I believe this... When you change your belt you should change your bearings...maybe sooner if they are ORANGE. My $.02 | ||
| Idaho_buelly |
" Black bearings are sealed on both sides and the orange ones are only sealed on the outside" I have the orange bearings as well and have 12,000 miles so far,going on a 4 day trip and didn't want to worry about them so I replaced w/some SKF($30 ea.BTW)and the orange bearings were sealed on both sides just like the black bearings and I did not have a any moisture in my hub,but I don't do alot of water crossings,but I have been caught riding in the rain before..For what it's worth??..Tim | ||
| M2nc |
My '06 Uly bought new Oct '05 is within 300 miles of 50,000 miles today, still on the original rear bearings. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Union_man- the rear bearings are #6006-2RS - (30 x 55 x 13mm); you should be able to go into any industrial bearing house and get a sealed balled bearing that matches that. A friend of mine did run into an issue when he tried to buy bearings for his Uly and he mentioned to the counter lady they were for his motorcycle. She says "oh, I'm sorry, we're not supposed to sell bearings for motorcycle use because of liability issues". He responds "Did I say motorcycle? I meant riding lawnmower." The lady grinned and sold him the bearings. If you get desperate, here's a list of common ATV's that use the same bearings: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=142838&post=1400233#POST1400233 I'd say odds are pretty good you could walk into a motorcycle/ATV/snowmobile/jet ski shop in Podunk, USA and find a bearing off of this list. | ||
| Flynuly |
M2nc-could have said the same till last Monday....you better find some wood fast. OBTW @ 75 mph in the fast lane when they go it feels like a tire going flat. Gently slowing (no brakes and easy off the throttle) 65 mph is when the mild tank slapper begins and your butt clenches faster than a potential shart in progress.  Guess the 2010 rear wheel just made it to the top of my priority list. | ||
| M2nc |
Sorry to hear it Fly. I check my wheel bearings every time I change the tires. I just changed the tires a couple weeks ago and everything was okay. I know its just a matter of time, but so far ok. | ||
| Barkbuster |
my current story here: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/573746.html?1277310505 | ||
| M2nc |
See, this is why I hate to say how good my Uly is. I boast about the wheel bearings yesterday and this morning it would not start. Now I have to replace the original battery. Man I need a Japanese quality bike! PS Honda I had before was on its third battery in two years. The Uly is closing on five years on the original battery. So this classifies as a joke. | ||
| Flynuly |
I still love my Buell  . My bearings (orange type) seamed fine just over 2K miles ago during the last tire swap.   |
