Topic: Changing wheel bearings?

[Magpie]

Do you automatically change the wheel bearing when doing a restoration of these old bikes? Mine seem do to be good, no noise and no play but they are 50 years or so old.
Cliff.

[BenelliSEI]

Do you automatically change the wheel bearing when doing a restoration of these old bikes? Mine seem do to be good, no noise and no play but they are 50 years or so old.
Cliff.
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Cliff... Good Question. Interested what everyone else says too. On my current project (1969 cb750, 17,000 miles), all the rear bearings were undisturbed, originals. None were shielded, so I popped them out, cleaned out all the dried, old grease, and they seemed perfect. Repacked them all with fresh grease, all new seals, and back they went. At the front, I had a new set sitting on my shelves, so just replaced them..... I did keep the originals, because they too seemed just fine.

Cliff... Good Question. Interested what everyone else says too. On my current project (1969 cb750, 17,000 miles), all the rear bearings were undisturbed, originals. None were shielded, so I popped them out, cleaned out all the dried, old grease, and they seemed perfect. Repacked them all with fresh grease, all new seals, and back they went. At the front, I had a new set sitting on my shelves, so just replaced them..... I did keep the originals, because they too seemed just fine.

[70CB750]

Quality sealed bearings have very long life span.   I had pair failed on me - it got kinda loose - but they were cheapos from ebay. 

I would keep them in if they look/feel good. 

[PeWe]

If wheel is off you can test to rotate wheel on axis and also rotate bearing with finger. It should not feel like sand inside.
I replaced wheel bearings on my CB750 K6 before mid 80's. I had acess to a press at my job to do it correctly.

Mostly long tourings after maybe 40.000 km.
Bike parked 20 years in barn.
Bearings did not feel good when I restored bike.
Replaced them all. SKF 2RS as before.
I think that parked for long period might not be good for bearings.

Last wheels got SKF 2RSH with even better seal according to the manufacturer description.

[CycleRanger]

I always replace the wheel bearings.  They're relatively inexpensive and simple to install.

[Magpie]

Thanks guys, good comments. Cliff.

[newday777]

The old grease in them as John has said is the problem that needs addressed even if the bearings are still good, so the stay good, so either you clean out repack the bearings with fresh grease or take your chances on new bearings having enough grease in them(aftermarket bearings are known for having little grease in them).
Grease lubricates and cools the bearings.

[Johnie]

You'll get a few different views on this subject. The old bearings are not sealed. Replace them as long as they're already out with new quality sealed bearings. Minimal cost involved. Like CyceRanger...I change front and back on all my projects. No sense in keeping 50 year old bearings in there. Peace of mind for sure.

[BenelliSEI]

You'll get a few different views on this subject. The old bearings are not sealed. Replace them as long as they're already out with new quality sealed bearings. Minimal cost involved. Like CyceRanger...I change front and back on all my projects. No sense in keeping 50 year old bearings in there. Peace of mind for sure.

Counter point: Make sure you buy SKF, FAG or quality bearings. I have bought kits from some of the suppliers we all use and they were so lousy I simply threw them out. When I buy any new bearings, I go the a bearing store (here Canadian Bearings is a well known spot) and buy across the counter. They don’t stock any junk.

[Honda Hansel]

Hi
Wheel bearings are cheap that's correct
I also prefer good qualities when buying bearings
Brand names are all ways good to get and I look at it this way
If I can get bearings that is made in Japan that is not the regular brands then I'm fine with that
Japanese made parts are in general good quality   

Honda Hansel

[seanbarney41]

If you are the type of person to just ride your bike fast in all weather, never clean it, and are largely oblivious to signs of trouble as long as the damn thing still moves under it's own power...than yeah, you better replace them a hell of a lot more often than every 50 years.  I don't see anybody on this site behaving like that.  But there is little real reason to throw away perfectly good bearings.  It's easy to check rears every time you service your chain and that should remind you to check out the fronts too.  Fortunately, quality replacements are still widely available.  Not much point in chucking perfectly good old original bearings that usually still work fine and replacing with chinesium that is not gonna last.   And be careful buying from a bearing house.  Bearings come in a wide variety of tolerances for any given size.  Tighter tolerance may be better initially, but any contamination is gonna wreck it rapidly.  A looser tolerance may be damaged by impacts and side loads.  Just some of the reasons to confirm "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

[Mark K]

What are anyone's thoughts on sealed bearings from All Balls? I bought from them to replace old front and rear wheel bearings and replaced the steering stem ball bearings and races with tapered steering stem bearings from All Balls for my '73 750. Bike hasn't rolled anywhere yet except in the garage 😂

[CycleRanger]

What are anyone's thoughts on sealed bearings from All Balls? I bought from them to replace old front and rear wheel bearings and replaced the steering stem ball bearings and races with tapered steering stem bearings from All Balls for my '73 750. Bike hasn't rolled anywhere yet except in the garage 😂

I have used several sets of bearings from them. No issues.
I've also gotten bearings from the local bearing store.
The bearings in these bikes are standard sizes.

[seanbarney41]

What are anyone's thoughts on sealed bearings from All Balls? I bought from them to replace old front and rear wheel bearings and replaced the steering stem ball bearings and races with tapered steering stem bearings from All Balls for my '73 750. Bike hasn't rolled anywhere yet except in the garage 😂

They are unpredictable.  All Ballz has apparently not manufactured a single bearing.  They are just putting together convenient kits, which is fine, if you actually need new bearings.  I have never seen the same bearing manufacturer (its always printed into the bearing, usually on the seal) twice and I have used lots of All Ballz steering head bearings.  So you never really know exactly what you are getting.  In my experience, with dozens of sohc4s, any bike with 10k miles on it usually needs steering head bearings and tapered rollers are just a more durable, less service demanding design.  As far as wheel bearings?  How will you know if what is in your All Ballz kit is gonna last longer than the likely good originals?  In my experience original wheel nearings are usually  ok.  Is two removeable seals even really an improvement? ...as removeable seals always have more drag and what is really gonna get in there anyway with just one during normal use?  Not to mention that very few of these bikes ever see a mud puddle again, let alone the kind of mileage that they may have seen in the first 50 years.  Also, every wheel bearing I have had to replace, was already replaced with something other than oem.  But of course, if your bearings don't roll smoothly...replace them!  And then, if you are actually gonna ride your bike, check them regularly.

[grcamna2]

Wheel bearings are very important;I have been looking for better quality 'over he counter' bearings;the market is flooded with cheap China bearings..
I've lately been very pleased purchasing Nachi made in Japan bearings online. I would like to purchase fresh NTN made in Japan bearings 2RS type.

[Steve_K]

Several years ago, I had two 550's and when I pushed them around in shop, they took the same amount of effort to push.  Yes, the brakes were NOT dragging.  I replaced bearings on one and I was quite surprised how the new bearings made a such difference.  The other 550 got new bearings next.
Change them, they are old.
Steve

[Remcod]

I use allballs happy with them so far

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[Don R]

 If my bearings have removable plastic dirt shields and appear newer, I pop them off for a check. If they look and feel OK, I've been known to clean and re-pack them. 

[BenelliSEI]

If my bearings have removable plastic dirt shields and appear newer, I pop them off for a check. If they look and feel OK, I've been known to clean and re-pack them.

+1. Done it and never been sorry. I suspect buying new bearings can lead to surprises. I have no problem cleaning and repacking a good quality part (on a bike showing reasonably low mileage).