| Author | Message | ||
     Jim_williams |
Huh? I thought they went black in 08? My 09 XP has orange bearings. Thinking I should change when I do new rear tire in a couple thousand miles. Thoughts? | ||
| Froggy |
They went to black in the year 2008, sometime in August. 2009 bikes built before then still had the orange bearings. In my opinion, don't bother changing them. | ||
| Hughlysses |
IIRC, we actually figured out they didn't start actually using the black seal bearings until later in the year, maybe October or November? At any rate, I agree with Froggy. Keep an eye on the orange seal bearings. If you're really worried, upgrade to a 2010 wheel. | ||
| Jim_williams |
Thanks guys. I'm not really worried, more wondering, cos, I thought they were switched for 09, so, I'm surprised. Anyway, I just read through the other bearing thread, and, noticed that there's another with an 09 and orange bearings, so, I'm not alone! | ||
| Itileman |
You are not alone. My 09 XT is an 8/08 build with the orange bearings. So far, so good at 7.5k miles. | ||
| Idaho_buelly |
Yes,mine is an 09X sept/09 build date,8500 miles and fine so far,but I'm replacing with SKF at the 10,000 mile mark just because...Tim | ||
| Pos90 |
My 09 X has orange seals and a build date of 11/08. | ||
| Paralegalpete |
Ah, I assumed that mine were black because I have an 09. They just failed at 6k, so they could be orange | ||
| Xbimmer |
I saw a new CR at my local dealer last year with 3 blacks and 1 orange. Getting to the bottom of the barrel when they built that one I guess. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
My 09 has black seals.... I was sure to check. Although I wouldn't change them if they were orange, I've heard bad things about the blacks too. | ||
| Itileman |
There has to be more to it than just the bearings. Some fail, some don't and this is over several years of bikes. You'd think that a bad lot here and there would fail based on the install dates. Bad, part time wrench on the line? Who knows, especially since some of the black ones have also failed. Looks like SKF's and a new belt (although I've had 3 Harley's and never had one fail) for me at the 10k and an extra set for travel. | ||
| Hmartin |
Changed mine at 11,500 miles with probably 2K or 3K miles left in them. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/462374.html?1244737526#POST1486154 2010 wheel should fix it for good, but swapping the bearings is so easy, IMHO, I can't justify the expense. | ||
| Idaho_buelly |
What's funny, is I had my 09X rear wheel in the local shop for a tire change and I asked what they thought about the bearings,they thought they were fine?..I asked them about possibly upgrading to the black(newer)sealed bearings from the orange sealed ones and they told me"you already have the newer ones in there",I said no way, the orange are the older ones,he told me to come around the counter and read his Buell book and sure enough it said,"check to see if it has the old black sealed bearings,if so change to newer orange sealed bearings"???? What the heck is going on here!!..I read it myself..Maybe someone in the know can make sence or maybe it was a typo??..Oh well,I'm changing them anyhow!...Tim | ||
| Froggy |
Idaho, back in 2003 Buell used another black seal bearing, made by FAG (giggles  ). Long story short, Buell ditched them fast and went with the orange bearings. | ||
| Eulysses |
I have a July 09 purchased 09 Uly...black bearings. Does anyone have manufacture date/VIN list? That might shed some light. Weird about orange being an upgrade. | ||
| Hughlysses |
George- all we know about dates is what people have observed here. Some 09 bikes built as late as November 08 still had the orange seal bearings made by NTN. The "old" black seal bearings used on 2003 XB's were made by FAG. The upgraded bearings with orange seals were made by NTN. The latest bearings with black seals are made by KBC. More info in the post here: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=142838&post=1505281#POST1505281 When was your 09 Uly manufactured? That may help narrow the date when the updated KBC bearings started being used. | ||
| Jim_williams |
HMartin, got a part # for that puller referenced in the linked thread? | ||
| Rkc00 |
My 09 X also has the Orange bearings. Need to run to the garage to see the build date. Mike Long Island, NY 09 XB12X Red/Black 09 1125CR Black 06 VRSCR Blue/Silver | ||
| Xpchandler |
My 11/2008 built 2009 XB12XP has the black seals. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Xpchandler's post seems to confirm the switch occurred sometime in November 2008. IIRC, at least one guy posted here his bike had some orange and some black bearings, so they may have even gone back and forth for a while there. | ||
| Hmartin |
Jim, that part number is ITEM 95987-2VGA. Just Google "harbor freight blind bearing puller". | ||
| Buewulf |
"There has to be more to it than just the bearings." Agreed. My experience with recurrent, premature bearing failures in bikes and 4-wheelers has almost always been related to the wheel (design, improper machining), not the bearings. The fact that Buell's long overdue solution to the problem is a wheel redesign instead of a replacement bearing is a testament to that observation. I don't think the color of the seal makes much difference. | ||
| Eulysses |
Forgive me but where is the build date? | ||
| Hughlysses |
Right side of the frame, behind the forks. Serial number and build date are stamped on the frame. | ||
| Kellaupat |
Anybody consider that the fuel overflow tube may be directing gasoline to the bearing area, diluting the grease? I can see trails trough the dust on my swingarm that seem to b-line right to the bearing. Just a thought...I seem to boil fuel out of my bike ALOT. Also does it seem to be the left side going out first or the right side, although I guess if one side goes the other one is pretty much toast too?? I have 10000 miles on my 08/09 build with orange seals, so far-so good. | ||
| Eulysses |
My black bearinged 09 is Mar 09 build. Between peeing gas and brake dust...hmmmm. Anybody have the disc brake bearing go out first? | ||
| Jim_williams |
Oh, my 09 is a Sep 08 build date... |
