[Strider1520]

Looking through the parts catalog for the Wee and noticed that there are three bearings for the rear wheel and two for the front. It appears that two in the rear are the same (2 x 20x47x14 and 1 x 32x65x17) and the two up front are the same (2 x 17x40x12).

Ok, now my newbie question. I learned the hard way that when I am on my Valk, I always carry a spare single race bearing for the rear (which also fits the front if required) after just so happening to throw one in my bag when I went up to Minnesota and then having to change it out in a museum parking lot (with a lot of help from my friends). I only bring the single one because the double bearing on the rear doesn't take any torque and I have never heard of one going out.

So, my question is, what should I purchase and pack as backup bearings to keep in my bag? Are all of the bearings taking torque and weight or is there one (or two) that are the main culprits to blow out or seize on me? Any help, as always, is greatly appreciated. I haven't torn into the rear yet, so have not looked at which bearings would take most of the wear yet.

(Changing a rear single race bearing on the Valk in a parking lot - not much fun, but not bad with the help from my friends).

Because when they go.....they go..........

 

[RichDesmond]

Wheel bearings aren't a common failure point on the Stroms. I used to carry a set of spare front bearings when I had a 94 Connie, but don't bother on the DL. Maybe when I get up to 50k miles I'll start, only at 30k now.

BTW, that third rear bearing goes in the sprocket carrier, not the wheel.

 

[greywolf]

I replaced my wheel bearings at 50,000 miles for future proofing only. They were all fine.

 

[tmcgee]

I replaced my wheel bearings at 50,000 miles for future proofing only. They were all fine.

I did the same on the rear at the same mileage, mostly because they looked crappy. The front still looks and feels fine at 60k miles. I checked them two days ago.

 

[Improperly Torqued]

Personally, I check mine by hand at every opportunity (whenever I have a wheel off for any reason). These generally aren't going to fail suddenly; they should give some warning if you're monitoring their condition. I don't think that's among the spare parts that's worth carrying on a trip.

Like GW, I might replace them for kicks after 50k miles or so before a really long trip, because they're cheap.

 

[Black Lab]

I replaced the OEM wheel bearings with sealed wheel bearings at around 28,000 miles. They seem to be fine, 65,000 miles later.

 

[tmcgee]

I replaced the OEM wheel bearings with sealed wheel bearings at around 28,000 miles. They seem to be fine, 65,000 miles later.

My OEM fronts were sealed, the rears were not.

 

[rjwinz]

I replaced the fronts and rears with sealed bearings between 50-60,000 miles, when installing new tires. This was just a precaution as some have reported the unsealed bearings going out after repeated soakings in mud and water. I replaced a steering head bearing with a better one as well (Timken, I think). Cheap insurance.

 

[PTRider]

My OEM fronts were sealed, the rears were not.

The OEM seals are separate; the right rear is against the right wheel bearing, and the left rear is against the sprocket carrier bearing. Aftermarket industrial bearings are available with integral seals...look for the -2RS suffix on the bearing.

 

[sdmdm8]

On both the Vee and the Wee I have checked all the bearing on a regular basis.

In both cases the larger bearing on the carrier side in the rear is different than the others.

It is a ball roller type instead of the needle kind (I dont know the proper description).

Regardless in both cases that was the bearing that had the least amount of grease. On the Vee it blew up at 48K miles on the wee I inspected it at 75K and other than cleaning and repacking with grease it was fine.

If I had to carry a single bearing I would do the following:

1 front
and the larger ball bearing type in the rear.

All the other bearings have been smooth and remain so after 80K miles with no maint on my part.

Just my .02

 

[PTRider]

All five bearings are single row ball bearings. The sprocket carrier bearing industrial version number is 62/32. In the drawing below note the -2RS version has resilient seals on both sides. The bearing's dimensions are 65 mm O.D., 32 mm I.D., 17 mm thick.

 

[larolco]

I'd carry a pair of front bearings if yours have miles on them. On the Vee I had the first go very suddenly at 50000 kms and the sealed replacement gradually at 95000 kms. I replaced the rears at 50000 but no signs of wear. I'm still running the original sprocket carrier bearing. That ought to last forever.

I figure if you're going to bother replacing one bearing, you might as well do both at the same time.

 

[crispy]

funny how different the longevity can be on the same bikes , while my wheel bearings are fine at 35000 km , the sprocket carrier bearing is noticeably getting loose, lots of reasons a bearing can go , my bike sat for 3 years uncovered outside, maybe some water got in and sped up the wear, anyway at about 25 bucks for two wheel bearings, the carrier bearing, and two seals, next time I have the wheel off I'm doing the bearings.

 

[greywolf]

The sprocket carrier bearing on the DL1000 will tend to have problems much earlier than the same bearing on the DL650. DL1000 Wheel Spacer Exchange Program ?