Wheel Bearing Seals

[Amlittley]

Greetings all!!
I have owned a 2008 model 1125r (which I love) for the last 2 years, however, I am about to fit my 4th set of front and rear wheel bearings. I really want to fit seals to the bearings.. (yes I do realise that these are already sealed units, but they really do require secondary seals.
I believe that they were fitted to the final 2010 models, but these were a 3 bearing rear wheel. I really shouldn't need to change the bearings twice a year. Does anyone have any information or Ideas on this matter.. the only thing that stops me doing big mileage journeys is the risk of bearing failure or Belt drive failure (The belts are expensive and take some time to get hold of in this part of the world.)
I may not be able to do anything about the belt drive at this time, but I really would like to sort out the wheel bearing issues.
any solutions out there??

 

[konarider94]

are you directly spraying the bearing with a pressure washer? what kind of bearings are you using as replacements.

 

[Amlittley]

Thanks for your response.
No I don't spray the bearings directly, not a very good Idea at the best of times. I've had the original, a set of SKF's and a set of Korea bearings supplied by the dealer. Its the conditions in Ireland, and more specifically where I live, the roads are always wet and often covered in mud and sand.. if it has bearing caps fitted, it would be fine..

 

[konarider94]

i meant what specific part number. You want the -2RSH suffix on your bearing if you are buying skf's. They have different seal designs and that is the best for water exclusion. Are you having belt failures too or are you just worried about it? Belt failures are not common especially below 20,000 miles maybe you could carry a spare. You have to replace a chain and sprockets a lot more often than a belt. But i agree they are easier to source. If you are failing belts and bearings I would start to think about alignment or way too much belt tension.

Do you tighten the axle per the manual specs? Tighten then back off and tighten again. This ensures the bearings are aligned properly.

I discussed it here and there is a link to a skf sheet describing their different seals.
http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Buell-Firebolt-XB12-XB9/skf-bearing-6005-2rs1-2rsh

Im not trying to say you are wrong but to me it sounds like there is something else going on other than needing a shield. There are plenty of people that ride in the rain all the time on all kinds of motorcycles and don't experience that many bearing failures. How many miles or km do you think you get out of a set?

 

[Amlittley]

Thanks for the advice, I'll certainly look into all that you have said, especially with regards to tightening, slackening and tightening again.. I lost one belt at 7000 miles without warning, just cruising along at 110 mph essentially without load when the drive just disappeared.. no noise, no damage.. just no belt..
Bearings at about 3000 miles a set, only had one set partially collapse, but the others have sounded as rough as a bear's arse and you can feel that roughness if you roll the bike forward and back.. I'll definitely look into getting the bearings that you have suggested, Anything to be able to do some serious miles with peace of mind.
I am not brutal with my bike, it is just that it is rumoured that NASA stress tested their Mars Rover on my local roads.
I've ridden infinitely better dirt roads in Africa, than the tarmac roads of southern Ireland..
As for the belt, it is very difficult to carry them, as they cannot be folded back on themselves or they really will break in a heartbeat..

I really do appreciate your help and advice with this..
All the best,
Andy

 

[konarider94]

Thanks for the advice, I'll certainly look into all that you have said, especially with regards to tightening, slackening and tightening again..

yea you will want to tighten to factory specifications. maybe someone can post the specs for tightening the axles on an 1125. I have the specs for a xb and i can post that. I think they would be the same for the 1125. I assume you are pressing the new ones in by the outer race and not pressing on the cage or inner race.

I am not brutal with my bike, it is just that it is rumoured that NASA stress tested their Mars Rover on my local roads.
I've ridden infinitely better dirt roads in Africa, than the tarmac roads of southern Ireland..

LOL, That is a country i really want to visit. I was actually looking at places that will rent you a bike for a week or so. They also suggest a route to travel around the coastline.

As for the belt, it is very difficult to carry them, as they cannot be folded back on themselves or they really will break in a heartbeat..

that is true, for long trips i was assuming maybe you could fit it in luggage. but maybe not. i dont know how to help you but 3,000 miles seems awfully short. keep us posted on your experience and troubleshooting. if you find a seal that works it certainly shouldn't hurt anything.

 

[Amlittley]

I assume you are pressing the new ones in by the outer race and not pressing on the cage or inner race. 

Yes, I normally suspend the bike from the roof of the garage, take the wheels into the workshop at work and press everything out and back in on the hydraulic press. they always go in correctly, track right and run smooth.

That is a country i really want to visit. I was actually looking at places that will rent you a bike for a week or so. They also suggest a route to travel around the coastline.

My suggestion to you is to hire a big trailie, the coast roads are pretty rough, I've ridden better dirt roads in Africa. I'm currently thinking about a KTM Adventure S or R, not as a replacement for my Buell, but as a companion for it on them lonely nights in the garage
As for the belt, I'm sure that it could be repackaged in a manner that would allow it to be transported without damage on a long run.. I'm going to order another soon that I will keep until this one is buggered, for a quick swap, and note what mileage this one gives me..
I find this a really comfortable bike to do miles on, and I would really like to do some SERIOUS miles on it..
One last question, "Why can't the other manufacturers make bikes feel and handle like this one".. they are either too race focused or too touring focused, and they are all made for tiny people.. nothing made in the last 10 years fits me like my Buell..

 

[Advanguard]

Front wheel bearing
source http://www.ukbeg.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=144
buy online http://www.alliedelec.com/search/productdetail.aspx?sku=R1015210

 

[DrogeN Omen]

is there a set of sealed Bearings for XB's???

 

[thumpin1203]

SKF 6006 2RSL rear

SKF 6006 2RSL front

These are the latest and greatest bearings to fit our XB wheels.. the seal evolution is the important development here, as all 6006 class bearings are designed to perform well within our XB wheel RPM demands.

The original 2RS1 has been superseded to 2RSH and now "2RSL"

2-rubber-seals-(L=seal class)

 

[jossi]

Yes the 2RS1 is the old one , but i dont use 2RSL on my bike is the low friction seal its ok against dust
but not water on my bike i use 2RSH even called contact seal not only protect against dust water too

i think bearings in this sizes handles about 6000-8000rpm you dont need to worry about that

Best Regards
Jossi
SKF Sweden

 

[go cytocis]

I really want to fit seals to the bearings.. (yes I do realise that these are already sealed units, but they really do require secondary seals

Having suffered wheel bearing failure on a road trip myself, I am sympathetic to your concern, but if you are liberal in applying the axle greese or anti-sieze compound around the seals every time you've got the wheels off, there shouldn't be any need for a secondary seal.

You can also get in the habit of regularly checking for wheel play, and touching your hubs after long rides to check for heat, if you want to proactively identify an imminent bearing failure.

 

[Amlittley]

Thanks for the advice on bearings and keeping them in good nick!! I'll try the heavy axle grease on the outer seal on the next set.. and I'll also order the 6005 and 6006 2RSH bearings, (needs a new set now!!)