| Author | Message | ||
     Electraglider_1997 |
Since my wife, son, and I are riding out to East Troy next week I thought I'd better take a look at my wheel bearings, both front and rear and provide some preventative maintenance. I'd rather discover and take care of a potential problem before going on a trip. So I lifted the bike and removed the front wheel which is the first time that wheel has been off in the almost 13000 miles I've put on the ULY. The axle was as good as new and looked polished from one end to the other. I removed the outside seals on either side of the wheel and the bearings looked good but I smeared in grease and re-applied the seals. Put the front wheel back on. Original D616 tire still has life but is cupped and I've got a Scorpion Sync in the basement when this one finally gives up the ghost. Rear Wheel removed and seals popped. Inner races are very hard to turn and a bit dry of grease but serviceable as far as I'm concerned. No rust or water. These are the bearings I had a dealer replace on warranty just before last July's 07' Homecoming. Took wheel to dealer because inner races were very hard and stiff to turn. Dealer ordered bearings at that time and because I had to wait I applied grease and resealed and rode for about 200 miles. Dealer called and said bearings had arrived so I removed the back wheel to expedite the process and noticed that the stiff turning bearings that I had greased and rode for 200 miles were now turning very easily and smoothly. Probably should have left well enough alone but had them install the new bearings anyway. 10,000 miles or so later and those bearings are the ones I added grease to this morning. Also applied silver anti-sieze to the axle and outside seal surfaces to protect them from water and dirt. I've wrote before how I feel sealed bearings need maintenance just like any other part and to be stubborn and refuse to maintain them because they're "Sealed" is penny wise and pound foolish IMHO. I'm sure many of you have discovered this already but I was able to put on the belt easily and then slide in the axle and tighten and all this without removing the belt idler. Belt was plenty loose until I screwed in the axle and then it was tight as it should be. Belt has close to 13,000 miles on it. | ||
| Red_chili |
I've wrote before how I feel sealed bearings need maintenance just like any other part and to be stubborn and refuse to maintain them because they're "Sealed" is penny wise and pound foolish IMHO. Absolutely true. Took my wheels to Woody's Wheel Works in Denver to mount my Syncs, and they commonly add grease to 'sealed' bearings. The seals are not terribly good at keeping grease in nor water out... and from the factory (the bearing factory, not Buell) they have very little grease. With proper lubrication and proper torque values on the rear axle, I expect to get long life from these. | ||
| 05mxdiesel |
Thanks electraglider, I will check mine soon as well, have close to 10k on my uly. FYI I am making a ritual of taking my rear wheel off before winter and reapplieing anti-seize. I finished my third tire up this spring and when I went to take it off the rear axle was sezied. It came out finally but was metal was twisted, so I had to buy a new one. I also used anti-seize before on the axle so I'm not sure what caused it. | ||
| Red_chili |
metal was twisted, Your AXLE was twisted?!? That alone would make it seize. How did you manage that? | ||
| 05mxdiesel |
I twisted it by trying to get it out (excessive force). On the threaded side right before it necks up to mate with the wheel bearings. I picked one up on ebay as a spare incase it happens again. I could take a pic if you wanted to see it. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Do not forget that there is a pinch bolt on the right swing-arm just under the axle that needs to be loosened. The anti-seize works great in keeping the aluminum axles from corroding. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
As hard to turn as those rear bearings were, I'll bet it was negatively affecting my gas mileage. | ||
| Gamdh |
Excuse my ignorance.. but what type of grease are you using for this... or does it matter?? To be more precise.. would this work? Synthetic Multi-Purpose Grease NLGI #2 GC/LB http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/glc.aspx Thanks (Message edited by gamdh on June 25, 2008) | ||
| Etennuly |
Electro, I was with you on the start with this program. I also wipe a small amount of the antisieze on the outside of the seal to waterproof it. I'm on my fifth rear tire and fourth regrease program.  | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I just use Wally Mart grease. Super Tech high pressure and temperature multi purpose grease, red color. Gamdh, I'm sure that Syn grease is great stuff. | ||
| Gamdh |
Thanks!! I happen to have some (inherited from a friend) figured it would be ok but really don't know anything about bearings and grease. | ||
| Xbimmer |
I've been doing the routine since Electraglider talked me into it last year.  Coming up on 50k on all original bearings knock wood. I use Lucas Red'n'Tacky grease for the bearings and pretty much anything else now. It lasts well and seems to shrug off water. Permatex silver antiseize always on the axles. The ONLY drawback I've found to bearing servicing is the fragile nature of the seals themselves. Awhile back I posted that I had lined up a source for new 6005/6006 NTN seals but it was bulk order required and not enough interest here. Don't get eager and overload the bearings with grease, it'll just puke back out all over your rims and rotor/sprocket...  I think doing this is good for keeping an eye on things but I also think that the guys losing bearings (especially on newer and lower mileage bikes) have bigger fish to fry. BMC needs to resolve the problem fast. |
