Rear wheel bearing LEFT side

[natemoen]

Just don't throw the old one away until you thoroughly check it over. No sense throwing away a good backup even if you happen to be the Bearing Baron!

[James England]

Just don't throw the old one away until you thoroughly check it over. No sense throwing away a good backup even if you happen to be the Bearing Baron!

Yes, agreed. Although I must say, on the several I've stripped and the XS's I've had over the years, once a bearing is thoroughly cleaned and all that candle-wax looking grease and whatnot removed, it's been rare that the bearing doesn't feel a bit on the loose side and, more usually, there have been gritty spots and a kind of crunchy feeling when the inner race is spun.

I think pressure washers are partly responsible. That and plain old neglect. Pressure washers can blast water just about anywhere, even past bearing seals. My XJR has a kind of open alternator on it, like a car, with the inner windings plainly visible through slots. It freaked me out a bit when I first got the bike, actually, I dread to think what a pressure washer would do inside it! Also, with the XS, the rear bearings are easily forgotten...a bit like the shaft bearing that never gets enough grease, if any, by the 'Zerk' gadget...

On the last couple of bikes I did up, I just replaced all the wheel bearings anyway. My theory is that one can end up always doing something if they aren't all renewed at the same time. Ok, I maybe take it a bit far but once they're done, they're done. And I am, as you say, a Bearing Baron!

[natemoen]

Yeah, the rest of the bearings are cheap and plentiful. Might as well change the rest.

[James England]

Yeah, the rest of the bearings are cheap and plentiful. Might as well change the rest.

It feels good too, knowing the bearings are all done...wheels, steering head, swinging arm etc. I do think that, for a resto project, it's better to do the lot. It can be relatively easy to make a bike look right but not much fun to be forever messing about with one thing after another, especially once the bike has all been painted, frame done etc. That's for a restoration project though, as opposed to a daily use, not so pristine bike that's more of a workhorse. Kind of different things and equally as good in their own ways.

[natemoen]

Well then, don't forget the swing arm bearings while you are at it.

[James England]

Well then, don't forget the swing arm bearings while you are at it.

Yes. I'm waiting for the bike to be collected today and will then start ordering some spares and generally getting going. I tidied the workshop up yesterday in preparation, so it must be serious.......

[TConrad]

Ordered a bearing today. Thanks James.
Todd Conrad

[James England]

Ordered a bearing today. Thanks James.
Todd Conrad

It went off in the mail to you this very day. It should be with you in about 10 days, described as a low value gift.........

[russell]

Hi James,

I'll grab one of those bad boy bearings before they all go!!!

Postage from the USA takes 14 days, lets see if mother England can out do the might of the US.

Thanks James, arrived today. Royal Mail sure is fast.

[James England]

Thanks James, arrived today. Royal Mail sure is fast.

Excellent" Very fast and reliable, usually

[Punisher]

left side bearings

The ones I obtained from you worked great!!

[James England]

The ones I obtained from you worked great!!

That's good to hear. At least you've eliminated them from the 'Click Inquiry'...

And now they are done and, looked after, should last for many years and miles..

[James England]

Bearing update

Just a little update on the bearings. I now have a total of 12 available. It was 13 but I used one in my new project!

[sthomag]

James:

I'd like to buy one of your bearings. How do I pay for it?

Thanks
Steve Thompson

[James England]

James:

I'd like to buy one of your bearings. How do I pay for it?

Thanks
Steve Thompson

I just PM'd you, Steve