Front wheel bearings
- Thread starter mtnbkr01201
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mtnbkr01201
Member
I never did show you both the bearings side by side, wanna see something interesting ?.
Now I know why I was hearing a clicking noise coming from the front wheel.
I think maybe I'll gave attention to the rear wheel bearings when I can.
Now I know why I was hearing a clicking noise coming from the front wheel.
I think maybe I'll gave attention to the rear wheel bearings when I can.
I think you got all of the goodie out of that bearing on the right. 
They both look like they have another 5,000 miles in them. 
Jokes aside, every bike that I buy that has a couple of years behind it gets a new set of wheel bearings. It's just too important to ignore, if that bearing on the right had locked up it's a given that a face plant is the next thing for you.
Jokes aside, every bike that I buy that has a couple of years behind it gets a new set of wheel bearings. It's just too important to ignore, if that bearing on the right had locked up it's a given that a face plant is the next thing for you.
I agree.They both look like they have another 5,000 miles in them.
Jokes aside, every bike that I buy that has a couple of years behind it gets a new set of wheel bearings. It's just too important to ignore, if that bearing on the right had locked up it's a given that a face plant is the next thing for you.
When I restored both of my old bikes I replaced all the wheel bearings with modern sealed bearings whether they needed it or not.
Then, at least, I knew their history.
mtnbkr01201
Member
They both look like they have another 5,000 miles in them.
Jokes aside, every bike that I buy that has a couple of years behind it gets a new set of wheel bearings. It's just too important to ignore, if that bearing on the right had locked up it's a given that a face plant is the next thing for you.
I also agree, as one who use to mt bike race on the NORBA circuit, I've already gone over the handlebars many times, and at better then 40 mph, and been hit by my own bike in the prossess, I DON'T want to play superman off my 750 - it WILL hurt a lot more, and that bike I don't want to get hit by.
After pulling that bearing out in pieces, I'm surprised it didn't lock - glad too.
Bill G.
BTW The bearing on the left - was quite loose, you can shake it and hear and feel it clicking around.
mtnbkr01201
Member
Kinda hoping this thread gives incentive for maybe time to check bikes over a little more carefully, especially the older bikes.
What sort of distance would you put on before you should check these as I have never given it much thought really. I suppose never really owning a very old bike it never came up.
mtnbkr01201
Member
Never having owned a vintage bike before - I couldn't say, all the Triumph's I've had at the time were not old or vintage, and until this bike - I've never changed wheel bearings on a motorcycle, this was new to me.
I think maybe every few times you do routine maintainance or go over your bike to check nuts and bolts for tightness - move the wheel, feel it, is it smooth, does it have a slight rumble feel ?, does it move side to side at all, this is how I discovered I was starting to have problems with the wheel bearings, when looking for a rattling noise at the front fender, I put my hands on every thing and saw what was loose or not, and the wheel moved a little side to side, I'm thinking at this point 'This is not good', and started to research doing the bearings myself.
I feel real good about getting that front wheel squared away, now time to pay attention to the back.
Bill G.
An Irishman on a Limey
I think maybe every few times you do routine maintainance or go over your bike to check nuts and bolts for tightness - move the wheel, feel it, is it smooth, does it have a slight rumble feel ?, does it move side to side at all, this is how I discovered I was starting to have problems with the wheel bearings, when looking for a rattling noise at the front fender, I put my hands on every thing and saw what was loose or not, and the wheel moved a little side to side, I'm thinking at this point 'This is not good', and started to research doing the bearings myself.
I feel real good about getting that front wheel squared away, now time to pay attention to the back.
Bill G.
An Irishman on a Limey
Yes I can imagine doing this yourself must have been great as this is something I have never looked at myself as I said
Personally i think you have to take each bike as it comes but as a bit of a guide I'd say, a bike with 100,000km, a bike over 15 years old regardless of miles done. If you know the previous owner and how he did the on goings you have to use that for what it's worth.
Well then I should never have to worry about it then as I have never had a bike that falls into either of those categories. However with that said I wonder what type of a beating they would take on these bikes that the guys do all these stopies on as the front end overall must take a beating
mtnbkr01201
Member
When I got the bike four years ago - it only had 7700 original miles, I'm sure at this stage it still does not have more then 20000 miles, however - it also sat in a shed for seventeen years not moving at all (poor thing).
Well time for me to head to work, you all have a good day.
Bill
Well time for me to head to work, you all have a good day.
Bill
I sometimes think sitting for a long time unused is harder on a bike than anything. When I bought my 73 Tiger (had been sitting 10+ years) I saw grease dribbling out of the front wheel bearings, that was the first hint something was amiss. The rear brake was stuck so that had to come off, that's when I discovered the axle was rusted to the inner bearing spacer. As everything was nearly 40 yrs old I figured it was time to replace all the bearings while I was in there just so I didn't have to worry about it in the future.
mtnbkr01201
Member
Just to clarify - Both the I.D. AND O.D. of the Timken 204FF ARE smaller then the 205FF.
