Rear wheel bearing LEFT side

[Stralya]

Got it out.

[Stralya]

Job done

[James England]

I've pulled it down and I'm up to here.:



I've banged away for ages and a piece actually broke off the outside of the bearing but the bearing itself wont budge. These are the slots you were talking about?

I got the right side out easily but look what fell out as soon as I did."



It just disintegrated!

Dan.

Nice pix Dan! It's great you posted them. Better that the bearing disintegrated with the wheel off the bike.....

Looking at the pic, the rollers are rusty brown in colour, look like they have had no grease for years etc. This is usually the case. Also the fact it fell apart when being removed means it must have been in a very poor state and ready for replacement.

I bet you're pleased you did this job, aren't you?

[Stralya]

Sure am James. I haven't put the wheel back on yet though. That's a job for next weekend. The spacer that you can see sitting a bit off centre worried me a bit until I remembered that it was like that on the other wheel as well. I guess the axle and the torquing up of the wheel nut sorts it out.

[slow mo]

what are the symptoms of a bad wheel bearing?? ride safe ..slow mo!

[Stralya]

Well in my case it was a noise not unlike dragging the centre stand along the road but I only noticed it when I cut the engine and coasted into my garage a couple of times.

[James England]

Sure am James. I haven't put the wheel back on yet though. That's a job for next weekend. The spacer that you can see sitting a bit off centre worried me a bit until I remembered that it was like that on the other wheel as well. I guess the axle and the torquing up of the wheel nut sorts it out.

Putting the axle back in sorts that out, Dan. The inner spacers on both wheels are there to butt up against the inner bearing races, both sides of the wheel. Then, when you tighten up the axle nut, everything lines up. Without the spacers, the bearings would simply try to move towards each other as you tighten the axle nut, you see, and there would be terrific strain on the inner races. When you take the axle out, the spacer moves around a bit.... you just wiggle axle a bit when putting it back in and the spacer slips over the axle.

I didn't realise your bearing had gone as far as the grinding noise. That's just about the far end of the wear spectrum! One step further is a collapse whilst running at speed. Not at all a nice experience I've been regaled with quite a few horror stories from purchasers of these bearings all over the world. In your case, the downside would have been a grinding, collapsed bearing and then.... no spare! I've had buyers who've been off the road for months because they couldn't get one of these bearings anywhere. The last one was in Norway and he couldn't use his bike for 3 months until he found Captian Unobtanium.

I know I harp on about it (I mean well...) but having at least one of these bearings as a spare is, IMO, absolutely essential for owners of these bikes. Many new owners don't realise this. I think.

I still have 16 bearings left but I think the Japanese barrel has had its bottom scraped well and truly now. I really don't know if I can get any more, so......get one while you can folks!

Here endeth the tenth reading, brethren.

[James England]

PS

You did fill the bearing with grease, Dan? They come with a coat of protective oil to stop corrosion in storage but you must pack the bearing with grease.....

[CaptonZap]

And if I may display my bias, make that Moly wheel bearing grease.
Wheel bearing grease has a higher dropping point, making it less likely to desert it's post. CZ

[Stralya]

PS

You did fill the bearing with grease, Dan? They come with a coat of protective oil to stop corrosion in storage but you must pack the bearing with grease.....

The bearings I used were the ones I already had. They were both pre packed with grease, Your bearing is still on the shelf and is yet to be packed. It will eventually go into the wheel that's currently on the bike which has good bearings in it.

[Stralya]

It's not easy to see but can you see the the black plastic seals on both bearings?

[James England]

And if I may display my bias, make that Moly wheel bearing grease.
Wheel bearing grease has a higher dropping point, making it less likely to desert it's post. CZ

+1 on that point.

[James England]

I still have a few of these left folks, not including my own 'stash'. So, just in case anyone has missed this thread.... get one while you can. Thatreally is the lot, this time......

[natemoen]

That really is the lot, this time......

We have all heard that one before!

[James England]

We have all heard that one before!

I know! But, thanks to my untiring efforts, I've managed to clean out every depot that had these things. I really, really, really don't think I can get any more!

Your response is a great testament to the success of Captain Unobtanium, Nate. Only 18 months ago, it was PANIC STATIONS about these bearings. Now, we can even be a bit facetious about them! That speaks volumes......

I keep seeing new members, and pix of newly acquired bikes and, thankfully, a great deal of interest in these bikes. And I know that there will be another rush of XSives who find they need a bearing one day. There's no telling some people!

BTW.... I went to look at this today http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YAMAHA-XS-...orcev4exp=true It's amazing how deceptive photos can be! Terrible condition. I just can't seem to find a reasonable E or F any more....