| Author | Message | ||
     Ft_bstrd |
I am interested in the bearing stories and think it might be beneficial to have some data in one place, so hear we go again: Build Date? Miles at Failure? Percentage of Riding Off-Road? Percentage of Riding Two-Up? All Weather Rider Y/N? Dealer/Mechanic Performed Tire Swap Y/N? Outward Signs Were Evident Prior To Failure? Thanks. | ||
| L_je |
15,000 miles ago, I was hit by a car. The minivan squarely struck my back wheel while I was accelerating away from a full stop. My bike got launched about 6 feet through the air. No serious injuries, and the only visible damage to the bike was a bent license plate. Ever since this happened, bearing failure has been on my mind. No bearing failure, yet. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
That and an uncontrollable aversion to psycho chicks in minivans.  | ||
| Joenuclear |
Are you that Ft_bstrd redneck from ADVrider? | ||
| Birdmanrh |
Build Date? 11/2005 Miles at Failure? 5000 Percentage of Riding Off-Road? 25% Percentage of Riding Two-Up? 3% All Weather Rider Y/N? AZ, with no real rain at that time Dealer/Mechanic Performed Tire Swap Y/N? Y Outward Signs Were Evident Prior To Failure? No Dealer suggested that maybe I shouldn't wash my bike?!? (Message edited by birdmanrh on August 01, 2007) | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Are you that Ft_bstrd redneck from ADVrider? Yep, and I like women! | ||
| Lduly |
Build Date?12/05 Miles at Failure? @15,000 Percentage of Riding Off-Road?5% Percentage of Riding Two-Up?0% All Weather Rider Y/N?Y Dealer/Mechanic Performed Tire Swap Y/N?Y&N dealer once, then 3 times myself following service manual Outward Signs Were Evident Prior To Failure? Last tire change was 200 miles before failure, bearings were checked with no outward signs of damage. When the damaged bearings were pulled out, about a coffee cup worth of rusty water came out of the hub. The only way for water to get in there is through the bearings. Never pressure washed(hardly ever washed, time to clean means less time riding). | ||
| Birdmanrh |
Yea, I never pressure wash either and water was the clear cause of damage. They need a simple rubber seal and all would be good. | ||
| Bertotti |
Could some of this water be condensation building up over time maybe as the hubs heat and cool? Perhaps filling the inside with grease would keep water from residing there? Just thoughts I'm no moisture management engineer. (Message edited by Bertotti on August 02, 2007) | ||
| Crusty |
25,000 miles and my bearings are fine. Build Date 9/05 Percentage of Riding Off-Road <1% Percentage of Riding Two-Up <1% All Weather Rider Yes Dealer/Mechanic Performed Tire Swap No At my first tire change, there was considerable corrosion on my axle. A healthy coating of Never Seize on the entire axle seems to have helped. (Message edited by Crusty on August 02, 2007) | ||
| Jlnance |
25,0000 miles, no bearing failures Build Date: 11/05 Percentage off-road: <1 Percentage two-up: 10 All Weather: Of course  Dealer/Mechanic tire swap: Sometimes. At my first tire change, there was considerable corrosion on my axle. A healthy coating of Never Seize on the entire axle seems to have helped. My axle gets corroded as well. I keep it antisized now, but I hate that stuff. I end up with silver smears all over things. I'm thinking about taking it up to HPC and getting it ceramic coated. That would be a much nicer way to keep it corrosion free. | ||
| Jameslaugesen |
Questions I think are important: * Have other XB's had similar issues? * Have all the Ulys with bearing failures had water behind the bearings? Is there some way to see if there is water behind the bearings without removing them? Could be used as another way to check for possible failure in the future. | ||
| Jlnance |
Since it appears that water can accumulate behind the bearings, I'm guessing there are no drain holes? If there are drain holes, and they aren't draining, checking for clogs periodically would seem prudent. | ||
| Jameslaugesen |
Since it appears that water can accumulate behind the bearings, I'm guessing there are no drain holes? If there are drain holes, and they aren't draining, checking for clogs periodically would seem prudent. I'm thinking the same thing. I'll check over the weekend. If water can build up behind the bearings, maybe that water can accelerate the wear/failture of the bearings somehow? Being drawn into the bearings, or effecting the bearings ability to 'breath' on the inside?} | ||
| Michael1 |
Build Date? 05/06 Miles at Failure? 4700 Percentage of Riding Off-Road? 20% Percentage of Riding Two-Up? 75% All Weather Rider Y/N? Yes Dealer/Mechanic Performed Tire Swap Y/N? Original Tire at the time of failure Outward Signs Were Evident Prior To Failure? Nope. It blew all on one ride. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Changed back tire of my 06' ULY at approx 7,000 miles and noticed the both rear bearings very hard and notchy turning. Took back wheel to dealer and they agreed that the bearings were not working properly and they ordered two rear bearings on warranty and told me it was up to me whether or not I put the wheel back on in the mean time. I took the rear wheel home and then pop'd the outer seal of each bearing and they looked great with blue grease and were very clean. Apparently the holes were under tolerance when the bearings were pressed into place. Anyway I applied more wheel bearing grease to each bearing and pressed the seals back into place before reinstalling the rear wheel back on the ULY. Rode the bike a couple of hundred more miles with no problems and called the dealer (week later) and was told to bring the rear wheel in and they'd put in the new bearings. The only reason they told me to bring the rear wheel in instead of the bike was to speed the process up since I'm hauling ass to Sturgis this Saturday. I was told they'd have it done by 2pm this afternoon (I gave it to them about 10am this morning). I like wrenching on my bike because then I'm familiar with the bike in case things happen on the road. This long winded story is about bearings that were probably robbing me of gas mpg but apparently not causing any problem other than that. Dealer is Dillon Brother's in Omaha, NE and so far they have done right by me. They said the 1125R bikes wouldn't be seen at the dealership until October. I hope to see one and maybe even demo one at Sturgis in a few days. I'm assuming I'll be able to demo the 08' ULY and report on my impressions when I get back the middle of next week. | ||
| Snub13 |
I've had bearing failures twice on two different Uly's! Mine; Build Date: 10/05 Miles at Failure: 13,000ish Percentage of Riding Off-Road: 5% (at that time) Percentage of Riding Two-Up: 85% All Weather Rider Y/N: Y Dealer/Mechanic Performed Tire Swap Y/N: Y (at 12,172, right before a trip) Outward Signs Were Evident Prior To Failure: No (complete failure)  A rental in Alaska; Build Date: not sure but it was an '06 Miles at Failure: 2,853 (2,243 by us) Percentage of Riding Off-Road: 15% Percentage of Riding Two-Up: 100% (by us, not sure about the first 610 miles) All Weather Rider Y/N: Y Dealer/Mechanic Performed Tire Swap Y/N: Y (new rubber for our trip) Outward Signs Were Evident Prior To Failure: Y (we didn't have a complete failure with the rental, the rubber seal was starting to come out of the metal holder thingy....)  | ||
| Snub13 |
PS: This is still the greatest motorcycle EVER!!!!! All hail Erik Buell!  | ||
| Danger_dave |
My front failed a while ago. It's a black one. | ||
| Adrian_8 |
My back bearing ate up the spacer, was pretty ugly at about 15K, I have changed the back again and the front once in 31K.... When in doubt before a long trip change them out, it is not difficult. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Got my wheel with new bearings and they are smooth as silk. Maybe my gas mpg will go up a bit. Installed per service book torque specs. Slathered a generous amount of anti-seize on axle before install, good to go. | ||
| Alchemy |
Adrian 8, Do you need special tools or pullers or heat to change the front or rear bearings? | ||
| Hootis29 |
2006 Black Built Aug 2005 19,896 miles. Delaer serviced, by me. Just went to replace my tire, and thought I would check the bearings. Pulley side is good, brake disc side is pending self destruction. Not failed, but very close I'm sure. New one on order as of today. %80 freeway 18% offroad, 2% rear wheel only. Bike as never been washed, but as seen some Minnesota rain, plus I have forded, a couple of creeks.  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Good God man! I think that is the dirtiest I have seen a street Uly. A little washing now and then is GOOD for a bike. | ||
| Hootis29 |
Oh yeah...shes nasty. Its been a dry summer here no rain, have not been able to wash it. | ||
| Hootis29 |
It makes for good chuckles working at the Harley Shop, people show up with bikes clean enough to eat off, and the guy working there, you could eat off his!.   | ||
| Cupp42 |
I can vouch for Hootis, bike has not been "washed" this year, and I don't think it was in the fall either. He would much rather be ridin' than washin' | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
He must be savin' up for the Bikini wash day. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Is that all there is? Surely there must be more bearing failure stories. | ||
| Loveall13 |
Build date? 9/05 Miles? 25,000 Off road? less than 5% Two-up? 20% All weather? HELL YEA! Dealer changed? No but AMI trained mechanic with factory manual and craftsman clicker type torque wrench. Outward signs? Rusty orange/red stain radiating out from bearings across the pulley, loose belt, took in to dealer before actual failure but bearings were very close to going out. Only the second (must go in now) trip to the dealer. I lost the regulator 1,500 miles ago up in Maine and got to meet the great staff at Bangor H-D Buell. They loved Buells and had a great selection of bikes and gear. While it is in the shop they are replacing the rusty muffler, the bearings, doing the BAS recall and washing the nasty SOB. Jeremy |
