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Author Topic: should I change out my bearings  (Read 1246 times)

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Offline HS

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should I change out my bearings
« on: February 01, 2014, 05:31:12 PM »
72 CB500 Four.  Low mileage but sat for quite a long time.  I see All Bearings has some nice pieces for the front and rear hubs and the steering?  Should I go ahead and assume I need to swap the stock ones out or?  Bike only has 6800 miles on it but 42 years...

Thanks.

Sam
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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: should I change out my bearings
« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2014, 05:41:54 PM »
Yes, no doubt about changing the steering bearings. Probably do the wheels as well as they are cheap.
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Offline goldarrow

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Re: should I change out my bearings
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2014, 08:08:45 PM »
While the bike is apart, at the very least do the steering bearing, will feel much smoother on a ride.
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Offline Johnie

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Re: should I change out my bearings
« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2014, 08:20:51 PM »
I always change out my 40+ old wheel bearings. If you can do it yourself it is a no-brainer for the cost. With the age on them and the fact you can now install sealed bearings go for it. I like the peace of mind when I am traveling at 65 MPH and not having to think about them blowing up on me.
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Offline HS

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Re: should I change out my bearings
« Reply #4 on: February 02, 2014, 07:19:11 AM »
Makes good sense, Gents. I was thinking of ordering the All Balls front and rear wheel sealed bearing kits and the steering kit. New front seals for the forks as well. Sound logical and am I missing anything?

Thanks!

Sam
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Offline HS

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Re: should I change out my bearings
« Reply #5 on: February 02, 2014, 07:22:36 AM »
PS do I need to remove the master link from the chain to drop rear wheel and clean the chain?  I might need to order a replacement link and removal tool.

Sam
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Offline goldarrow

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Re: should I change out my bearings
« Reply #6 on: February 02, 2014, 07:50:02 AM »
You don't have to undo the chain link if your swing arm is coming off for cleaning. 
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Life Is Full Of Challenges - And My Backyard Is Full Of SOHC4's

CB550 K0
CB750 K0, K2, K23 JDM, K45, K5
And the little ones z50r, xr50r, st90


750k5 http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=114817.0

Offline HS

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Re: should I change out my bearings
« Reply #7 on: February 02, 2014, 08:19:28 AM »
Quote from: goldarrow on February 02, 2014, 07:50:02 AM
You don't have to undo the chain link if your swing arm is coming off for cleaning.

Thanks, GA.  I was not planning on removing the swing arm.  Simply to remove the rear wheel and take a look at the brake drums and replace the rear bearing.  The chain needs a good cleaning also.

Sam
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Offline HS

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Re: should I change out my bearings
« Reply #8 on: February 02, 2014, 12:18:39 PM »
Thanks for the advice thus far.  Pulled the front wheel and removed the bearings.  Great tips on this thread...

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=56044.0


Getting the retainer off was the easy part



Getting the bearing out of the right hand side was another matter.  The heat gun tip is a great one....GREAT!  That and a B.F. hammer (3lb) got it done




I may start a separate thread, but do I need to do anything to service the speedometer mechanism




I'm thinking clean it out lightly and apply some grease...

Thanks.

Sam
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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: should I change out my bearings
« Reply #9 on: February 02, 2014, 02:22:37 PM »
I would clean it out completely using WD40 or similar and regrease.
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'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


Les Ross.            Certified by a Professional

Offline HS

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Re: should I change out my bearings
« Reply #10 on: February 02, 2014, 02:32:09 PM »
and that's why I ask....thanks, Lester.

Sam
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Offline BobbyR

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Re: should I change out my bearings
« Reply #11 on: February 02, 2014, 03:18:20 PM »
You mentioned the fork seals earlier. If possible the Honda seals seem to hold up far better. The mist important thing to do when replacing those seals is polishing the forks.

They need to be carefully examined and polished. Old time wrenches ran their thumbnail over them and if you could feel it it would cause a leak. They advised polishing any imperfection using extra fine sandpaper using ATF as a lubricant. The sandpaper is used like a shoeshine rag.  After that polish them with Mothers or another polish.

Very minor imperfections you don;t think will polish out, can be filled with crazy glue which will polish very smooth and hold if you clean the spot properly.

This process is a pain in the ass, but, I have gotten 5 years so far out of OEM Honda seal and this process. The "Never Leaks" lasted 2 years. 
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Offline HS

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Re: should I change out my bearings
« Reply #12 on: February 02, 2014, 04:29:56 PM »
Quote from: BobbyR on February 02, 2014, 03:18:20 PM
You mentioned the fork seals earlier. If possible the Honda seals seem to hold up far better. The mist important thing to do when replacing those seals is polishing the forks.

They need to be carefully examined and polished. Old time wrenches ran their thumbnail over them and if you could feel it it would cause a leak. They advised polishing any imperfection using extra fine sandpaper using ATF as a lubricant. The sandpaper is used like a shoeshine rag.  After that polish them with Mothers or another polish.

Very minor imperfections you don;t think will polish out, can be filled with crazy glue which will polish very smooth and hold if you clean the spot properly.

This process is a pain in the ass, but, I have gotten 5 years so far out of OEM Honda seal and this process. The "Never Leaks" lasted 2 years.


Damn, Bobby. That's knowledge...cheers!

Sam
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Offline Don R

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Re: should I change out my bearings
« Reply #13 on: February 02, 2014, 09:49:53 PM »
 I was going to say yes on the wheel bearings. Seems you figured that out already. I just took the wheels off my 8700 mile sandcast. The grease is almost gone, If they could be greased they might last but not dry like this.
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Offline HS

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Re: should I change out my bearings
« Reply #14 on: February 03, 2014, 06:59:12 AM »
I've got the All Balls front and rear wheel kits ordered. I'm vacillating on the steering and forks....

Sam
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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: should I change out my bearings
« Reply #15 on: February 03, 2014, 09:54:31 AM »
Why the wait on the steering? It's a must. 42 years sitting they are bound to have indents.
You will kick yourself if you put it together and find it doesn't want to turn.
My steering was fine when I stopped riding mine but was as stiff as a stiff thing 20 years later.
« Last Edit: February 03, 2014, 09:56:10 AM by LesterPiglet »
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'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


Les Ross.            Certified by a Professional

Offline HS

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Re: should I change out my bearings
« Reply #16 on: February 03, 2014, 10:10:32 AM »
Quote from: LesterPiglet on February 03, 2014, 09:54:31 AM
Why the wait on the steering? It's a must. 42 years sitting they are bound to have indents.
You will kick yourself if you put it together and find it doesn't want to turn.
My steering was fine when I stopped riding mine but was as stiff as a stiff thing 20 years later.

#$%*...I know you're right.  I grew a pair and ordered the set. 

Cheers,
Sam

P.S.  if you're going to order All Balls stuff, go through Amazon...save yourself quite a bit of coin
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Offline 750cafe

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Re: should I change out my bearings
« Reply #17 on: February 05, 2014, 08:10:16 AM »
Steering head bearing and swing arm bearings are some of the most important bearings to grease as the PO's never do.

Eric
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Offline HS

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Re: should I change out my bearings
« Reply #18 on: February 05, 2014, 08:34:22 AM »
Quote from: 750cafe on February 05, 2014, 08:10:16 AM
Steering head bearing and swing arm bearings are some of the most important bearings to grease as the PO's never do.

Eric

thanks, Eric.  I'm replacing the steering head bearings along with the wheel bearings.  I need to get educated on the swing arm and, in general, how to grease the bike on a maintenance schedule.  Ordered me a grease gun and some red grease but I need to see if I can research how to do this intelligently...I honestly don't have experience with this being a rookie to these bikes.

Sam
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Offline 750cafe

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Re: should I change out my bearings
« Reply #19 on: February 05, 2014, 09:24:33 AM »
If/when you remove a swing arm, add a grease fitting near the center where you can get to it in the future.

Eric
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Is there anything more fun than riding? They are between your legs and are quiet when you turn them off.

Offline HS

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Re: should I change out my bearings
« Reply #20 on: February 05, 2014, 09:41:48 AM »
Quote from: 750cafe on February 05, 2014, 09:24:33 AM
If/when you remove a swing arm, add a grease fitting near the center where you can get to it in the future.

Eric

That makes a lot of sense, Eric. 

I'm going to look at the manual this week on the swing arm.  I had not planned on removing it, but the bike has sat a very long time and I'm trying to be sensible about getting it back on the road.  to my shock, the grease in the front bearings looked great on this low mileage, 40+ year old bike.  Replacing them was still the right thign to do.

Sam
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