Bearings

[dragonworld.]

Just checking the bike over pre Supers and found this binding/rumbling coming from the front wheel!! 

Pull the calipers off and the front wheel is extremely stiff and doesnt really want to rotate....SHIT!!

So out with the stands and tools and pull the thing off and find that the bearings have shit themselves! 37,000K and they are rooted. "Thats pretty poor" sez I and proceed to remove the rear wheel and check the rears, and they were on their way out too. 

That has to be a record in my 40 or so years of riding to have ALL the bearings gone south in that short time.

Anyway they are all replaced now and for the record they were SKF, a supposedly good quality bearing. But the bloke at the bearing services said that the big well known bearing mobs are sourcing some of their stuff in China,Taiwan etc with the potential lack of quality, and in my case (Ducati?) it seems quite likely.

So if your bike is getting to the 30 to 40 thou K's I'd be pulling out the wheels and having a squiz just in case. It'll only set you back maybe $100 or thereabouts for both wheels.

The front and rears are SKF number 6005 LLU. X4
And the sprocket carrier ones are  SKF number 6006 LLU X2

This for a M1000S DS. 2005.  [moto]

[Jukie]

Well Dragon thanks for that info, but i have a while to go yet before i check them

[loony888]

whichever size bearings you need for your wheels, SKF have always been up there as the best available, i wouldn't even consider NSK or NACHI, and there's worse than them around! remember to ask for the C3 rated ones, they are for high speed applications and are standard fitment.


paul.

[BribieDuc]

I had the front wheel bearings replaced at 76K about nine months ago (could feel a grittyness developing before the noise - when I checked the wheel there was noticeable sideways movt) - should have done the rear at the same time but didn't. At 95K now and will replace rear and stearing bearings at next service.

John

[dragonworld.]

I usually have replaced all wheel bearings as a matter of course around 50k ish, whether they are rooted or not!

But this failure oof the front and the others on the way out at such low K's is a bit concerning. 

It appears just because it has the "good" brand on it doesnt necessarily mean its the best quality any more!?

Production costs versus profits! No business is exempt I guess, Just so lang as we can still choose to have the good stuff.

[madalf71]

Howdy All.

Nachi bearings  ewwwww not good.
SKF, NSK fine, most issues are to do with installation.

Cheers.

Alf.H.

[Spider]

I run Bones bearings. (little skateboard information there folks - any old skaters on the site will be nodding)

Dragon,

did the bearing guy give you a price difference vs. garde difference (ABEC grade) when replacing?

wonder how much ceramic would be?

thanks

RJ

[Betty]

I used to run a set of Bones bearings (pretty pricey at the time) ... but there was 16 in a set (no board involved) - I'm sure they are still lurking under the stairs somewhere ... they came with a small tube of 'speed cream' I think.

[dragonworld.]

I run Bones bearings. (little skateboard information there folks - any old skaters on the site will be nodding)

Dragon,

did the bearing guy give you a price difference vs. garde difference (ABEC grade) when replacing?

wonder how much ceramic would be?

thanks

RJ

He didnt give me a price difference, but suffice to say he quoted the old adage "you'll get what you pay for".

[Spider]

I used to run a set of Bones bearings (pretty pricey at the time) ... but there was 16 in a set (no board involved) - I'm sure they are still lurking under the stairs somewhere ... they came with a small tube of 'speed cream' I think.

they've released ceramics (and high end ones too) at $200 they are amazing. I've got some stock standard 'swiss' and they are too fast for my current skill level! Speed cream is still in use as a bearing lubricant.

Ceramics are also being used throughout bicycle racing (and have been in f1 for years apparently)....it's not the wattage saved (or decrease in rolling resistance) that's attractive to me but the maintenance (or lack thereof). I'm not the only one who's thinking like that....Shimano aren't just thinking about Dura-ace and XTR but more importantly (in sales numbers) the low end commuters. The balls are so tough they grind down any debris.

Be good on the wheels Dragon?

reason I asked is when I went into ABC to replace wheel bearings on the pushy they broke down the cost of each brand and grade in comparison to what I handed over - very good service!