Wheel Bearings / Swing Arm Bearings.

[Paul Heim]

YMMV...  I had one bad rear wheel bearing at 32,000 miles.  I also found 
rust/lopsided wear in two of the swingarm and linkage bearings.  Replaced 
all rear bearings at that time.  As others have reported, Kawi was stingy 
with the grease initially on swingarms, swingarm linkages, and steering 
heads.  Pull the swingarm bearings and look at them.  Mine were visibly bad. 
Feel the wheel bearings as described in the shop manual.  If there's any 
roughness, replace them.

A good teltale when you're pulling everything apart is the condition of the 
seals.  Are they worn/loose/shot?  If so, expect the same of the bearings.

Paul in Ohio
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paul Landry" <p_landry at telus.net>
To: "'GPz List'" <gpzlist at micapeak.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2008 5:42 PM
Subject: Wheel Bearings / Swing Arm Bearings.


> You can tell the weather is getting nice here and riding season is in 
> sight,
> as I prepare to put the bike back on the road.
>
> I will be taking the wheels off soon to have the new rubber installed.
>
> Was thinking it might be a good time to replace the wheel bearings and 
> swing
> arm bearings at this time.
>
> Question is..  What is the service life expectancy of these?  At what 
> point
> have others replaced them (failure / maintenance).
>
> I have 60,000 Km (40,000 miles) on the stock bearings.   The Steering head
> bearings were replaced last summer, they had failed / worn out, partially
> water induced damage.
> The stock steering head and swing arm bearings were serviced by the
> dealership and re-greased at 25,000Km but have not been touched since.
>
> I would rather do this as a maintenance item then "suffer" a failure and 
> the
> problems that might cause but don't want to spend the time and money if 
> not
> required for another season or two.
>
> Thoughts?
>
> Paul W. Landry
> P_Landry at telus.net
>
>