Topic: Looking for better wheel bearings...

[goaarongo]

Hi all -
I am trying to source some fancy wheel bearings for a cb750.  I have been able to locate the new sealed bearings (with the blue seal) that run about $5 a pop.  These are surely better that the worn out originals, but is there another step up from this?  Ceramic maybe, or something else? 

I work on bicycles a lot too, and the best thing you can do for one of those is get some fancy upgraded hubs.  Just using the same logic here...  Any ideas appreciated.

[MCRider]

Hi all -
I am trying to source some fancy wheel bearings for a cb750.  I have been able to locate the new sealed bearings (with the blue seal) that run about $5 a pop.  These are surely better that the worn out originals, but is there another step up from this?  Ceramic maybe, or something else?  

I work on bicycles a lot too, and the best thing you can do for one of those is get some fancy upgraded hubs.  Just using the same logic here...  Any ideas appreciated.

Try CBRBearing.com  If more money means better. Mine were double sealed about $10 a pop I think. Touted as top-quality" but I personally don't know. I have to take others words for it.  But, I'm comfortable saying anything is better than the single seal or no seal OEMs.

http://www.cbrbearing.com/

also Z1 enterprises has them

[GRock]

Go to the FAQ forum and click on "Thoughts of a Hondaman". Scroll down to "Handling in a Nutshell" and check out #3. I thinks it's #3 anyway.

[DavePhipps]

I like All Balls. They worked great on my FZR, I haven't tried them on my CB yet.
https://www.allballsracing.com/index.php/

[goaarongo]

Thanks guys.  I'm curious to check out these Timken bearings.  Could be the way to go.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

I've been getting mine at Fastenal.  Industrial quality, decent price.  Generally they are on the shelf when I need them else they can get them overnight.

[HondaMan]

Thanks guys.  I'm curious to check out these Timken bearings.  Could be the way to go.

Timken sold their ball bearing business to SKF in the early 2000s. The SKF are the cat's meow today. You can get them at most industrial supply places, like MSC Supply, Kaman, etc. Worth every cent, IMHO.

[CycleRanger]

I just noticed you're in Austin.

Go by Purvis Bearing up on I-35.

They'll have the SKF's you need on the shelf. 

[wannabridin]

my company sells parts of the SKF bearings to SKF, haha!  mainly the races, but still cool to know.  either way, SKF is a great company with damn fine products!  if you can afford it, ceramic bearings are the "ultimate" in reducing friction and i've heard great things about them in newer bikes.  there was an article in motorcyclist i believe, about a newer 'busa where they put some ceramic bearings in the hubs and had good results.

[goaarongo]

Now this is the info I was looking for!  Thanks for chiming in guys. 

HondaMan - Thanks for the updated info.  Much appreciated. 
 
CycleRanger - Local sources are a major plus.  Thanks a million.   

This should get those wheels rollin'. 

[Whaleman]

Why do I think I would rather have top quality steel bearings rather than ceramic bearings? Old school I guess. Dan

[MCRider]

Why do I think I would rather have top quality steel bearings rather than ceramic bearings? Old school I guess. Dan

The tiles on the space shuttle are ceramic. Tough stuff.

[going4speed]

Try these guys:

http://www.bocabearings.com/

Hi all -
I am trying to source some fancy wheel bearings for a cb750.  I have been able to locate the new sealed bearings (with the blue seal) that run about $5 a pop.  These are surely better that the worn out originals, but is there another step up from this?  Ceramic maybe, or something else? 

I work on bicycles a lot too, and the best thing you can do for one of those is get some fancy upgraded hubs.  Just using the same logic here...  Any ideas appreciated.

[wannabridin]

Why do I think I would rather have top quality steel bearings rather than ceramic bearings? Old school I guess. Dan

The tiles on the space shuttle are ceramic. Tough stuff.

just don't use the same glue to hold the ceramic on, don't wanna burn off!!

ceramic is a GREAT material, it's hard as nails, extremely wear resistant and doesn't deform.  but it comes at a price: brittleness.  this stuff has practically NO plastic zone, meaning that there's no signs until catastrophic failure. 

ceramic is really cool for ultra performance bikes where dropping the coefficient of friction down just a couple of points really matters, like in drag racing or something.  it effectively lowers rotational mass due to less rolling resistance, but in these old girls?  just stick with what works and has worked for a long time.  TOP quality steel bearings with dual seals.  they'll last forever when properly installed and really help the handling!!