| Author |
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Nobuell
| | Posted on Monday, September 26, 2011 - 07:08 pm: | 
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I checked the bearings on my 08XT all of the time. I checked for smooth hand rotation with the wheels off and periodically jacked the bike up and rotated the wheels. I never directly sprayed the bearings when washing the bike and only used a low pressure stream. Mine failed approximately 500 miles after a tire change. I installed my own wheels according to OEM instructions and used a calibrated torque wrench. The bearings were good for 17K miles so they should have been correct from the factory. They gave way at 80 MPH on the expressway with no warning other than the sideways flat track feel.
The basic problem is the bearings are on the edge of design for many attributes. When any mechanical component is on the edge of design like these, predicting failure is almost impossible.
The only simple solution is the 2010 wheel. Not to expensive but worth the peace of mind. |
Mmcn49
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - 09:01 am: |
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>>>The basic problem is the bearings are on the edge of design for many attributes. When any mechanical component is on the edge of design like these, predicting failure is almost impossible.<<<
Some last 5K others 50K. There has to be a little more at play here than the bearings being near their upper limits.
I changed mine at 15K. I could feel “Catches” in the front wheel bearings with the wheel off the bike. The rear wheel felt fine. I changed both.
>>>The only simple solution is the 2010 wheel. Not to expensive but worth the peace of mind.<<<
According to HD there is no wheel upgrade for the Lightning’s or Firebolt’s, only for the Uly. From what I’ve learned the difference is with the rear wheel. They’ve added a third bearing. As far as I know, they’ve done nothing to the front wheel. I do not know if the up-dated Uly wheel will fit on my Lightning. |
Erics1
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - 09:29 am: |
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Wow! I didn't know any of this---I obviously have not been spending enough time on BWB (not being sarcastic). I put 15K on an '06 Uly and never once looked at the bearings. I saw the 2nd owner a year and 10K miles later, and he mentioned nothing about bearing issues. Now that I've got my '09 Uly (~6K and new tires), I guess I've gotta get serious about this issue. My impression is that the 2010 wheel swap is only good for the rear wheel? Is the rear more prone to failure than the front? |
Nobuell
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - 03:57 pm: |
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I consider many issues with the old configuration to be designed on the edge. Something as simple as light grease shields that allow entrance of moisture and dirt can significantly reduce life. I consider it designed on the edge because proper external seals are not utilized introducing variable effects that heavily impact bearing life.
Over tensioned belts or a more aggressive rider can introduce additional loads on the bearings. Bearing speed and loads will have significant effect on bearing life.
To me, there simply is not enough margin afforded by the bearing design, thus "on the edge of design". We would not design our equipment with so many of the basic bearing design considerations ignored.
Taking out the material and temperature variable, the bearing life boils down to lubrication, load, speed and cleanliness. All are issues with the old wheel design. I look fondly back to the day of wheels with externally sealed tapered roller bearings.
I could be wrong, but I thought that the new wheel design was used on all 2010 bikes. That should mean a wheel is available for all models. It may not be the right color but a wheel non the less.
It is my understanding the the new wheel will retroactively fit the old bikes. The new axle assembly would be required. Please correct me if I am wrong. |
Froggy
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - 04:33 pm: |
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quote:According to HD there is no wheel upgrade for the Lightning’s or Firebolt’s, only for the Uly. From what I’ve learned the difference is with the rear wheel. They’ve added a third bearing. As far as I know, they’ve done nothing to the front wheel. I do not know if the up-dated Uly wheel will fit on my Lightning.
Whoever you spoke with is mistaken. All 2010 Firebolt, Lightning, Ulysses and 1125 models have the new 3 bearing wheel. It is still available to purchase at the parts counter of any Buell dealer. |
Mmcn49
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - 06:50 pm: |
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>>>Whoever you spoke with is mistaken. All 2010 Firebolt, Lightning, Ulysses and 1125 models have the new 3 bearing wheel. It is still available to purchase at the parts counter of any Buell dealer.<<<
Below is the response from Legend HD in Silverdale, WA where I purchased the bike.
Hello,
The wheels from your 07 are exactly the same as the 10. Same part numbers and same bearings. I do have rear bearings in stock at this time. Fronts would have to be ordered. If you have any questions feel free to call or email me. Thanks, Larry.
LARRY JENNINGS
9625 PROVOST RD NW
SILVERDALE, WA 98383
360-698-3700
360-698-0108 (FAX)
bronzewinner150
Froggy-Do they have an upgrade for the front wheel as well? It was my front bearings that were starting to fail. |
Froggy
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - 07:02 pm: |
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I can assure you that Larry is mistaken. I've seen, in person, at least one of every 2010 model except 1125cr, and they all had the 3 bearing wheel. In fact, I have even posted list on here a while back of part numbers for the 2010 wheel in every color ever offered.
As for the front wheel, no, it was never changed as the bearing issues affect only the rear. Search on here for front failures, you will see they are few and far in between.
Your 2007 will have come from the factory with what is called the "orange seal" bearings, starting with some 2009 models, HD changed to what is called the "black seal" bearings, which may or may not last longer. |
Mmcn49
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - 08:15 pm: |
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Froggy-What do you know about this: REAR WHEEL BEARING KIT REV. 2009-07-29
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/bulletins/20 10RearWheel.pdf
The assembly drawing on page three shows a 2-bearing kit with 2-additional dust seals, one for each side:
Dust seal, wheel bearing (rotor side) EA0002.5AK
Dust seal, wheel bearing (sprocket side) EA0002.5AK
Does anyone know if these could be made to fit on a Pre-10 wheel? If they could that would provide an added low cost barrier.
I’m convinced that a major cause, if not the main cause of these premature failures is debris and moisture infiltration. That was my experience when the front wheel bearings started to fail. Overloads will cause a bearing to fail over time. Add water and dirt and it will go a lot sooner. |
Froggy
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - 08:27 pm: |
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You are mistaken about the diagram, it shows 2 bearings on the sprocket side, labeled #4.
Regarding stuffing them in a older wheel, it can't be done. There is a thread in the Big Bad and Dirty going on right now discussing it. Long story short, not enough meat in the wheel, and the amount of modification needed to make it work would probably cost more than the new wheel anyway. |
Mmcn49
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 - 07:33 am: |
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Knew that. Was looking at the two sprocket side bearings in the drawing when I wrote the post.
Looking at the bearing thread you mentioned plus others it seems a lot of the bearing failures are on the sprocket side of the rear wheel. It also seems that the Uly has a larger failure rate than the Lightning’s.
That was not my experience. On my TT, both front wheel bearings had catches and probably wouldn’t have lasted much longer. |
Sifo
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 - 02:13 pm: |
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I always seem to be an exception. I had my front go after 22K miles. The rear lasted 20K beyond that. On the rear it was the non-drive side that wend bad too.
For some reason I seem to be the only person alive that has had a Jardine muffler last 45K miles.  |
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