| Author | Message | ||
     Ruans187 |
I know I am beating a  but have 23k in my 2006 Uly and just changed bearings. I was curious if the 3 wheel bearing is worth doing. I wanted to hear some opinions. Thanks a lot. | ||
| Froggy |
In the long run the 3 bearing is less hassle to deal with, and also better for the piece of mind. If you use the bike for long trips and other touring duties, I feel it is well worth it. Otherwise, it is not necessary. | ||
| Crempel |
I owned mine up until yesterday and only changed the bearing for the first time last Thursday. 39k miles and the red ones to boot. As Froggy says, it all depends on what you deem necessary to mean. I sure wouldn't want to be a thousand miles from home and have them go out. If you're a weekend rider and never stray too far from home, don't bother. You can replace a lot of bearings for the cost of the '10 wheel setup. If I had been planning on keeping mine, I think I would have done it, but it would have hurt. | ||
| Arry |
I replaced my stock bearings at 17k, they felt questionable. Now, 9k later, they definitely need to be replaced again. I thought I did a careful job replacing them, so don't know why they went bad so soon. The 3 bearing wheel is a spendy fix, but probably the best fix. So, it depends on your budget, I'm just going to replace the bearings, again. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
If you can get one now, do so. When they run out, then what? | ||
| Ourdee |
Arry did you put a newer version belt on? | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I bought two of the 2010 rear wheels for our two Uly's. Got real tired of all the worry and the price seemed good to me. | ||
| Mitchg |
Just caved in and grabbed a 3 bearing for mine yesterday. Could not take the stress of waiting for the 2 bearing to fail....  | ||
| Ruans187 |
Thanks a lot guys...thinking of buying it, but also sometimes think if should replace the Uly....soo hard to even consider it..but i always worry about not finding parts later on. | ||
| Etennuly |
There are other fixes like in most circumstances. I replaced my first set at about 30,000 miles which I thought was not a bad run. They were rusty which killed them before wear could have. There was a couple of ounces of water in the center hub space. At the time I discovered the water intrusion I drilled my rear hub and filled it with marine grease. This was done firstly to insure that no water got in the hub space again. Then every time I change the rear tire I pop the rear seals out and work in as much fresh grease as the bearings can hold, then pop the outer seal back in. The original and replacement bearings have so little grease in them I am amazed that they run any time at all. As with most mechanical moving parts, I believe fresh, clean, constantly available lube can keep them alive for a long time. I have no plans on replacing the original wheel with it's two bearing set up and my modifications. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I stuck with the two bearing wheel, and I just pack a new spacer and bearings with me on any substantial road trip, tucked inside the spare belt. I think if you follow the book for removal and install of rear wheel, the two bearing wheel holds up well. | ||
| Ruans187 |
When bearing fails, do you get any notice or does it lock the tire and make u fall-crash instantly? (Message edited by ruans187 on February 01, 2016) | ||
| Tribe29 |
When mine failed in my 06 at around 12K it was a non event. Just started growling and then made the rear wheel wobble noticeably. Had to put it in a truck to get it home though. Rode my 07 from Los Angeles to South Carolina in September. Wasn't worried about bearing failure but was under 10k. Had not been on the forum when it failed or I would have been looking into the 2010 wheel. Now the 06 has 25k miles and is still doing fine. | ||
| Afsoc_commando |
I had 40K on my original 2 bearing rear and found a deal on a 3 bearing so I bought it. I would trust my 2 bearing for another 40k. I never over torqued my axle, I never ran it through anything other then rain and never pressure washed it. I also ride like less of a hooligan then some others, but I do load my bike down over spec all the time. | ||
| Arry |
Ourdee- I did put on a new version belt, at about 10k. The original bearings went about 7k later, and the replacements are now bad after only 9k. The new belt did seem tighter, but I figured it would wear in/loosen up. With 16k on new belt, it still seems tighter than the original. Is this what you are alluding to? Rauns- Typically you would notice some signs/indicators, before failure. Check them whenever you have the rear wheel off - tire change , belt replacement,... If they feel rough or notchy, it's time to be concerned. | ||
| Motorbike |
Ruans187, when a bearing on my 08 failed at 7300 miles, I heard a strange squealing noise for a few seconds while running about 75 mph. I slowed down and pulled over to check and the squeal stopped but the bike felt like the rear tire was low on air. I rode slowly for about a block, stopped again and looked. The seal had popped out of the drive side bearing and I could see the bearing was shot. I was able to ride it idling in first gear for about 1/4 mile to the nearest farm place and then called my brother to come 75 miles with my pickup and hauled it home. I replaced everything with the 2010 wheel setup and now I sleep a lot better. My dealer offered to replace the stock bearing under warranty or he would sell me all the parts for 1/2 price. I chose the latter and put it all together myself. I now have over 20,000 miles on the bike. Thanks.    | ||
| Medi |
Ruans187 I wouldn't worry about parts so much. I used to have a 1986 FJ1200 a couple of years ago and even though they weren't made for 20+ years there was always parts available in the used market. | ||
| Ruans187 |
thanks.. | ||
| Etennuly |
When my original bearing went(not plural it was the side stand side) it made a squalling noise at low speed and I could feel it vibrate. I got off the bike to look around and could move the rear wheel side to side a bit. Got a pick up ride home. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
When my bearings went at about 15K, they clicked when I was backing it out of my garage after riding it in heavy rain the previous day. They were full of rusty water. Luckily, it was under warranty. | ||
| Glenn |
Here's the link to my 2 bearing wheel failure. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=142838&post=2256701# I had been proactive in replacing the bearings too. I think I had about 12 to 15k on the replacement bearings at time of failure. i have the 2010 wheel now. | ||
| Teeps |
Ruans187 Posted on Monday, February 01, 2016 - Is the 3 wheel bearing wheel necessary? Probably not; but I popped for one back in 2010, just for peace of mind. It has about 20k miles on it now; the original has 15k and is on the shelf... just in case. | ||
| Ourdee |
Arry, The newer belts seam tighter. I loosened up my tensioner to give the bearings a chance. I am thinking about loosening it up some more. |
