| Author | Message | ||
     Roadrailer |
I removed my wheel for the very first time today. The knuckledraggers at the dealership failed to use any antiseize whatsoever when replacing it last time, so it was good and stuck. I ended up having to use some WD-40 sprayed between the axle and the bearings to get it loose. I didn't use much. Is there any chance the WD did any damage to the bearings? | ||
| Beachbuell |
No. The bearings in your wheel are sealed bearings. Nothing gets in or out of them. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Not true at all if this guys wheel bearing problem is any indication. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/212377.html or this one http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/266037.html I've replaced sealed bearings in my wife's Yamaha Radian wheels more than once and it only has 22,000 miles on it. Easy as pie to knock out and put in new ones though. Which bring us back to Ceramic bearings. Anyone ever try those expensive pups out out? | ||
| Windrider |
EGlider, I have some experience with bearings in my past with heavy equipment. What I learned from that is that if you can't protect the seals it matters little whether the internals are made of ceramic or steel. If contamination gets past the seal the bearings will fail. I was surprised to find the wheel bearings as open as they are on the Ulysses for a Dual Sport style of motorcycle. I think if you run a lot of dirt/mud/sand on a Uly it is probably a good idea to change out the wheel bearings on some frequency as a preventative measure. If you run all street miles, it is probably not a big issue. Without doing something to protect the seals better I think that ceramic bearings are pretty much a waste of money, but that is just my own humble opinion. | ||
| Court |
I think the company is C-E-R-M-I-C . . . not CerAmic. | ||
| Beachbuell |
I never said that the bearings can't get damaged, blown out, or don't need replacing. He simply asked IF spraying some WD40 could have gotten IN the bearings and caused damage. Therefor the answer being NO. You guys over analyze too much. Just ride it. | ||
| Michael1 |
I just lost a wheel bearing on my Uly with only 4500 miles on the clock. Left me standed in Zanesville, OH... The said part, I sell bearings for a living. The ceramic bearings or hybrid bearings (steel races, ceramic balls) are great. Lighter, last longer, but don't take impacts as nice as steel bearings. I have them on my track bike, but I am contemplating using them on the Uly. | ||
| Roadrailer |
You guys over analyze too much. Just ride it. I appreciate your input, but it's not uncommon for my rides to be 400+ miles to the middle of nowhere. If I did something ignorant while servicing my bike, I'd rather analyze it sitting in front of my computer at home than on the side of the road in the mountains. If I were just putting around on local roads I'd be much less concerned. FWIW, I rode the bike Sunday and everything seems fine. New rubber rocks! | ||
| Lorazepam |
Sealed bearings do not keep WD40 or other solvents out of the bearings. In fact, you can usually pry out the seal and add grease to the bearing if need be. The seals just keep the big stuff from getting in. | ||
| Beachbuell |
Pry out the seal and add grease? That doesn't sound too wise. I'll just replace my SEALED bearings, thanks. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
If it was the difference of riding the bike or not I'd certainly repack grease into the "sealed" bearings. I'd then check the bearing for smoothness of operation of course. My 97 glide has wheel bearings that you have to repack as a matter of maintaining them. I repack my bicycle bearings when they need it. I also refill my tires with air, refill my gas tank (with gasahol since its cheaper)and top off the oil if need be. I usually do whatever is cheapest (but sane) when maintaining my vehicles. I drilled holes in the 06' airbox cover because I'm not spending $35 of gas money on a new part when I can modify the old to accomplish the same thing. Fire away. | ||
| Lorazepam |
Apparently you have never been poor or do much wrenching Beachbuell. I have been repacking "sealed" bearings for years. I would be willing to bet that Erik Buell has repacked many "sealed" bearings. Repacking a bearing sure beats a ride in a tow truck or ambulance. Besides, fresh wheel bearing grease softens your skin. | ||
| Beachbuell |
This is more of a safety thing than a question of money. So I guess you would run re-treads for tires too. I mean Thats basically what you are doing by reusing the sealed bearings. Call ANY dealership and ask them if they will repack your sealed bearings on your next 10K or 20K service. Might as well ask them if they will plug your tire too while you are at it. "Not much wrenching," lol. You have NO idea. | ||
| Chadhargis |
What's wrong with plugging a tire? I've been running a plug in mine for thousands of miles. I plugged it myself. Dismounted the tire, plugged from the inside with a big mushroom plug, then put a patch over it. It's not going anywhere. | ||
| Lorazepam |
Safety is why I check them, and not trust it to the shop tire change guy to make sure my bearings are good. If you trust that seal to keep out water and corrosion, you have have more faith than I do. It is no big deal to get the seal out and see if the bearings are rusted, pitted or otherwise dried out. A small screwdriver and some patience is all it takes. I would rather take the ten minutes to check them myself, than have to wait a couple days in nowhere, wyoming because I didnt bother to look at them. I dont mean to start a flame war or peeing contest, but the bearing is "sealed" with a thin piece of plastic. Sure, the dealership would rather install a set of bearings rather than repack them. They have the tools to do it, and it comes out of your wallet. I change my own tires, and I inspect the bearings at the same time. If they are bad, sure I replace them, but if they are fine, top off the grease until the next tire change. It really isnt a big deal. | ||
| Jim_sb |
My rear D616 picked up a huge staple the day I rode the bike home from the dealership. I plugged it the put about 3k miles on it before it was toast. The plug was fabulous. Mushroom style, Progressive Suspension fix-a-flat kit. Ride on, Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Beachbuell |
You guys must not value your life too much. You have more faith in a $.99 plug/patch than I'm willing to chance. Maybe you don't push the Uly's as fast or as hard into a corner. Them two pieces of rubber called tires are the only thing keeping you upright and firmly planted to the road.... To each their own, I guess. |
