Topic: High Quality Wheel Bearings

[KC_Northstar]

I'm looking for high quality wheel bearings.  Hondaman recommends SKF or KML bearings in his book,  but I'm having
no luck finding them.  Anyone know what brand Z1 Enterprises sells in their kits? 

KC

[Harsh]

Can't say for sure, but using some deductive reasoning I would say they are All Balls.  The part number they list starts with AB so I presume that to mean All Balls.

I used All Balls on both my wheel bearings and head bearing on a number of bikes and have never had an issue.

[Duke McDukiedook]

Timken would be another quality bearing to look for.
Do you not have any bearing suppliers in your area? Give them a call and if they are worth their salt they should be able to supply you with those quality bearings. Be warned, they will cost more than chinese and japanese bearings.

Keep in mind though that Koyo Japanese bearings would fit the bill quite well for your application, they meet all ASTM bearing criteria. Even the Chinese bearings are required to meet them.

[Supermex01]

If you really want best quality go with ceramic ball bearings
I have a supplier.
Give them a size ( stock part number )
They will make you any bearing you like
Pricey

[HondaMan]

Here's the current crop, from least good to best, that I am using on rebuilds:

NTN (China) (I don't use them, just listing them as the worst, with shortest-lived metals, and their seals give out early) These show clearance in as little as 3000 miles.
Fafnir (German, Japan, British) Good units, a little hard to find.
NSK (Japan) Better units, decent price.
KML (Swedish, I think?) Some of the best, and fine value for their cost.
SKF (Japan) The best I have found to date, but pricey.

Timken sold their ball bearing business to SKF in 2004 or so, they don't make their own ball bearings anymore.

[RAFster122s]

There are knock-offs out there for many products and the chinese are notorius for ignoring patents recognized by other countries. Would not surprise me the NTN are in this boat as the chinese manufacturers build to a price point.

[malcolmgb]

While on this subject, which is best, leave both seals on each bearing or remove the inner seal and pack extra grease between the bearings?

[bollingball]

Leave them on both sides so the grease will not run out.
Ken

[KRONUS0100]

USA Bearing is where i got all mine from.  think like 4 to 7 bucks apiece depending on the bearing.

[Gregorymoto]

Last time I bought some was from Bearing Belt Chain Co. in Chico CA. They do not sell "motorcycle bearings" So I pulled and measured them and They sold me front and back for $30 or $40 . I think they where a Jap made Co. The name one the box is MRC.
I ended up buying extra set fron and back. That was 10 years and 100#$%*ton miles ago. I still have the the first set in.

[raymond10078]

My last set from All Balls were KML.

[flybox1]

My last set from All Balls were KML.

+1

[bollingball]

My last set from All Balls were KML.

Same here I am looking at a set now I got them from Z1 =all balls =KML They put every thing in a box you need. You just tell the, the year make and model front or rear real easy
Ken

[Supermex01]

I went with Hondamans suggested SKF I got them from a place in Orlando called Applied Industrial Technologies Tel: (407) 264-9956 but I think that their main office is based on Georgia.
I paid $152 for front and rear wheel bearinghs with tax and shipping to my door step.
Pricey but you may only have to to this once SKF are the very best out there.

[70CB750]

Here's the current crop, from least good to best, that I am using on rebuilds:

NTN (China) (I don't use them, just listing them as the worst, with shortest-lived metals, and their seals give out early) These show clearance in as little as 3000 miles.
Fafnir (German, Japan, British) Good units, a little hard to find.
NSK (Japan) Better units, decent price.
KML (Swedish, I think?) Some of the best, and fine value for their cost.
SKF (Japan) The best I have found to date, but pricey.

Timken sold their ball bearing business to SKF in 2004 or so, they don't make their own ball bearings anymore.

back in the old country, I always liked INA, I dare to say they still make quality bearings.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schaeffler_Group

http://www.ina.com/content.ina.de/en/products_services/products_services.jsp

[EnvinoVeritas]

Honestly it's hard to beat the All balls kits. The bearings "feel" good in your hand and people seem to have good luck with them. They come with all the seals and aren't overly expensive. In the last month I've done the steering head and both wheels with these and I'm pleased.

I think they will hold up...

[I Zombie]

You can get the SKF bearings through NAPA, 6302-2RSJ & 6304RSJ

[PeWe]

SKF is Swedish quality. Svenska Kullager Fabriken  (Swedish Ball bearing Factory)
Factories worldwide.

German FAG might have proper bearings too?

Last time i changed wheel bearings, SKF was the choice. I hope they still are OK, only 30,000km's ago.

[Elan]

I recently found a great deal on rear bearings and seal on ebay. KML brand.  The seller was "ultimateindsolutions"

1   Metric Oil Shaft Seal 34 x 55 x 09 34x55x9 Double Lip
Item # 150488805662       $4.46 USD

1   6305 2RS Double Sealed Bearing 25mm x 62mm x 17mm
Item # 150403594486       $3.60 USD

2   6304 2RS Double Sealed Bearing 20mm x 52mm x 15mm
Item # 160375823966       $5.40 USD

Amount    $13.46 USD
Combined Shipping: $5.00

Total $18.46  shiped usps priority

[bert96]

Just for the first item(150488805662) they ask $28.25 for the shipping 




Bert
             

[Elan]

Just for the first item(150488805662) they ask $28.25 for the shipping 




Bert
             

I guess Canada will do that to you. Shipping is $5. for all three down here.

[Gregorymoto]

I went with Hondamans suggested SKF I got them from a place in Orlando called Applied Industrial Technologies Tel: (407) 264-9956 but I think that their main office is based on Georgia.
I paid $152 for front and rear wheel bearinghs with tax and shipping to my door step.
Pricey but you may only have to to this once SKF are the very best out there.

Ouch.... that's spendy.

[malcolmgb]

I went with Hondamans suggested SKF I got them from a place in Orlando called Applied Industrial Technologies Tel: (407) 264-9956 but I think that their main office is based on Georgia.
I paid $152 for front and rear wheel bearinghs with tax and shipping to my door step.
Pricey but you may only have to to this once SKF are the very best out there.

Ouch.... that's spendy.

Agreed, here in the UK you could get SKF bearings for about the equivalent of $10 each, check here http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/ball_bearings.php?gclid=CM7lueD-mrYCFc3HtAod8BUAxQ they will ship Worldwide too, seals are available at the same site.

[lucky]

I went with Hondamans suggested SKF I got them from a place in Orlando called Applied Industrial Technologies Tel: (407) 264-9956 but I think that their main office is based on Georgia.
I paid $152 for front and rear wheel bearinghs with tax and shipping to my door step.
Pricey but you may only have to to this once SKF are the very best out there.

WOW!! $152.00 what grade were the bearings???

[bollingball]

I went with Hondamans suggested SKF I got them from a place in Orlando called Applied Industrial Technologies Tel: (407) 264-9956 but I think that their main office is based on Georgia.
I paid $152 for front and rear wheel bearinghs with tax and shipping to my door step.
Pricey but you may only have to to this once SKF are the very best out there.