Topic: I'm glad I decided to check the front wheel bearings...

[AwesomeCB]

After replacing the wheels on my K6, I figured I would refurb the wheels that came on the bike with new bearings. It's a good thing I did. This is the bearing on the left side of the front wheel. Someone punched a few holes in it when they (cough) installed it. For good measure, they stripped the threads for the retaining ring so the hub is toast.  Thank God I put only a few miles on the bike before putting on the new wheels. Stuff like that is what gets you killed.

[Johnie]

Wow...good catch there. Because of this kind of stuff I change out all wheel bearings. Plus, now they are sealed and should never have to replace them again.

[dave500]

that looks like a shielded bearing?more used at the brush end of electric motors?

[754]

It us a shielded bearing, won't keep water out very well.
 Btw, pretty sure if you ran no retainer, you would never notice.
 Morris wheels have no bearing retainers.

[AwesomeCB]

It us a shielded bearing, won't keep water out very well.

Got that right. I cleaned out the rust and metal bits for the picture.