Rear Bearings

[scar]

Just pulled the rear tire and found the left side bearing in pieces, going to order another set.  The splines look great and everything was well lubed.  Going to pull the drive shaft tomorrow night thanks to the stuff I learned at the Inzane X Tech sessions...

[Norm]

good timing on the tech sessions huh? :-)

[scar]

yes very!  I learned a heck of a lot from those sessions.  too bad I didn't have Romeos lift with me then... 

[Norm]

That is for bikes?  I thought that was a beer keg holder in his garage.

[JOHN3XV1]

I'm far from being a mechanic, but seems to me I either read or was told that using a car tire on the rear could cause more stress on the bearings and I thought they said there was something you can do to compensate for it. Might want to try to talk to the guy running the tech sessions or do some on line searches on it before you reassemble.

[mike b]

the guy running the tech sessions was Daniel Meyer and heres a link to his thoughts on car tires on a valk http://lifeisaroad.com/stories/2004/10/27/theDarkSide.html
i would guess the failure was do to age or outside stresses overtight of undertight axle nut not tire related , i carry spares and seals too . if ya have them ya will not need them!  but sold the Alternator i had just ordered a new spare they were very  happy i had one too
 i take my rear ends  apart every year and pull the drive shafts too . i use a mix of moly and blue greese on mine the moly turned to powder on me once and i had to replace the hub spline the only issue i see running a car tire is forcing your self to take things apart while you still have tread on the rear tire!
 ps put the bike on the kick stand when you need to put the rubber boot back on the drive line

[RTaz]

maybe you should use ...a better bearing ...go to Detroit ball bearing and get a good American made bearing ....

[scar]

Joe came by and we started to pull out the exploded bearing...  staying true to the "Nothing is easy" credo  got half of the bearing out.  going back at it tomorrow... thanks to Joe for helping me out and his determination to get this thing out.

[JOHN3XV1]

I just read the entire Daniel Meyer article referenced in Mike B's comment above.  Made a believer out of me.   By the way, I have the Goodyear Assurance TripleTreds he is currently running on his Valk on my Pontiac Aztek and those tires are light years better than the Goodyear Eagles that came on the vehicle.  Handling is much better in dry, wet, and snowy conditions. I chose them based on a great set of tire comparison charts I found on line.  Here is the link for anyone looking for car tires:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/index.jsp

See the Passenger All Season chart for the TripleTred performance ratings.  

[RTaz]

Wheel Bearings

1997 Front 6004-2RS

1998-2000

Front, 6204-2RS or  6204LL

And all models left rear 6204-2RS or  6204LL

(same bearing different mfg.) 6204 is size, letters indicate sealed both sides. See below about seal designation


1997-2000 All right rear  5204?? Double Row Angular Contact Bearing

They need to be sealed both sides.

MRC #5204ZZ

RSR #5204EE

IKS #52042RS

The list goes on, and on. Just get a 5204 that is sealed on both sides. Mfg's use different suffixes to designate seal configuration. The list would be as long as my arm. And if you ask for a 5204 2RS and the child behind the counter knows nothing about bearings, he may tell you they don't have it. But they do have 5204ZZ's. But that isn't what you asked for.

If you have a "bearing house" nearby go there and ask for a 5204 with seals on both sides, then keep a spare at home. They only cost about $11

Wheel Seals
The right fronts differ in 97
some 97's took 28X42X8
and some took 28X47.2X7
Left front is 45X55X5
 
All the I/S models took 289X47.2X7 on the front right
And 45X55X5 on the speedo side

The rear is

30 x 47 x 8

[mike b]

the internet is a great thing ..scar keep at it i know you can get her done .. just not as easy as busting data bits ...

[scar]

thanks Mike.... Yeah these bearing things are a lot tougher than bits...  But with Joe's determination, a dremel and a big honking puller we got it out.  Threw the new ones in and ready to put the new tire on.

Thanks to Skinhead!!!

now just waiting on the new tire to get here...

[scar]

while waiting for the new tire to arrive I pulled the drive shaft and cleaned up the pinion cup.  everything is lubed up and looking good.

I can see how people get frustrated with installing the pumpkin and drive shaft, the tech session and Joe's reminder to lift the swing are and just wiggle it in worked like a charm.

then pulled the gas tank to install a new petcock.  learned something... can't change the petcock with a full tank... DOH!

since the tank is off cleaned the K&N filter... hopefully the tire will get here tomorrow so I can stop this madness!!!

[B]

I hate pulling that damn tank... ESSPECIALLY if I just filled it!

[ridingdragon]

 I've had some experience with that over the last few years. 

[mike b]

 i thing we all have had the full tank issue the night before inxane i had a hose leak at the petcock .. sucked ..

[scar]

So I got the new rubber put on yesterday... Stopped by American Road Shop on M59 to mount and balance the Metzler.  They said no because of my powder coated rim and the car tire that was on the wheel.  They couldn't be certain they wouldn't mess up my wheel.  So the guys there sent me over to Discount tire.  The first guy I talked to there also said no, but maybe one of the techs could take a look.  First guy said hell no then the next guy turned out to be a Valkyrie rider named Kevin.  He pointed me to Jeff at Magic Powersports on Dixie Hwy.  So I ran over there and Jeff took care of removing the old tire and mounting the new one.  Turns out Jeff used to have an Interstate and blacked it out... a brother anti-chromeite....

Came back and started to put it all back together when I noticed that my rear brake pads were wearing funny.  Turns out one of the pistons was stuck.  Wrestled with that for a while then pulled the caliper and blew the pistons out with air.... 

Going to get back at it tomorrow after work and hopefully get back on the road....  Nothing is easy....

[ridingdragon]

Next time put the ceramic beads in your tires.  They work great as your tires will always be balanced.

[JOHN3XV1]

How do you know how many ceramic beads to put in and where do you get them?

[Norm]

They are called dyna beads. Most bike shops carry them.

[skinhead]

How do you know how many ceramic beads to put in and where do you get them?

Their site tells you, I believe 1 oz front 2 oz rear.

[mike b]

i buy my beads at a little repair shop in hamburg on  m36 in the same plaza as wards do it center about 4 miles from us 23 exit 52 then travel west on 36   i forgot their name sorry.. you have to deflate the tire and shake the beads threw the valve stem with the core out and air it back up  i check the stem for leaks from time to time once in a while when you check your pressure one may get stuck in the valve stem a little shot of air fixes it   read up  you will like them http://www.innovativebalancing.com/motorcycle.htm

[Romeo]

while waiting for the new tire to arrive I pulled the drive shaft and cleaned up the pinion cup.  everything is lubed up and looking good.

I can see how people get frustrated with installing the pumpkin and drive shaft, the tech session and Joe's reminder to lift the swing are and just wiggle it in worked like a charm.

then pulled the gas tank to install a new petcock.  learned something... can't change the petcock with a full tank... DOH!

since the tank is off cleaned the K&N filter... hopefully the tire will get here tomorrow so I can stop this madness!!!

You cleaned the K&N filter? I guess I didn't realize you had passed 200,000 on the odometer.