| Author | Message | ||
     Xbob |
im going to take the bearings out of my wheels to sandblast/powdercoat the wheels. any tips on taking out the bearings? ive pulled wheel bearings out of other kinds of wheels (kaw, honda) but not a buell. any special tools needed? or things to NOT do when doing this? thanks. | ||
| Yz450kid |
DO NOT use a punch and hammer. Order the proper removal kit specifically for the Buell. Even with the right tool, the wheel can only take a certain amount of removal/installs. I made the mistake of doing without the tool and spun a rear wheel bearing (potentially dangerous). Now I need new wheels front and rear. Learn from my mistakes. | ||
| Xbob |
what did you do to a wheel to make it so bad that it has to be replaced?? | ||
| Jackbequick |
The bearings are a press fit (have to be to keep the outer race turning with the wheel) and each time you pull and replace them the bearing bore gets a little looser because of the alloy wheels. I think I remember reading that alloy wheels have a service life of like five bearing replacement cycles or something like that. So if you use the right tools, and maybe even warm the wheel hub up too, the bearing will come out easier. I'm sort of a sweater on details, I'd probably like to both have a good bearing puller to use and would warm the wheel hub too. I'd use my shrink tube heat gun probably, not something with a flame, and try to get it up to 200F or so. Joel - Depending on how bad those bores are you may be able to salvage another use by using something like the LocTite Bearing & Seal Retainer. At the going prices for a set of wheels it might be worth a try. Jack | ||
| Xbob |
and you can put the bearing in the freezer before you put it in. | ||
| Pcmodeler |
I had my bearings removed professionally but I put the new ones in myself. As mentioned, I put them in the freezer and they went in pretty easily. Here's mine with powder coated rims and swing arm.  | ||
| Teddagreek |
Where did you get your front fender... Looks good... | ||
| Xbob |
anyone know what the tool to remove the bearings cost? | ||
| Pcmodeler |
I got it off ebay. Don't remember the vendors name. Not obvious from the photo, but the front fender, chin spoiler, hugger and oil cooler cover are all carbon fiber. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Bob, American Sports Bike, one of our sponsors lists a removal tool for $69.95 Looks like this, and works well, I am told.  | ||
| Xbduck |
If you have to take your rims to a professional, PLEASE take my advise. If the service man asks you why they are cold take them back out of his hands and run out of the shop before they totally screw something up. Then find yourself a real professional. |
