Rear wheel bearings
Posted: |March 27th, 2020|, 9:25 pm
When I got the 650ie, I had to replace almost all the bearings in the shock linkage. Once that was sorted, it was back in with the wheel and go!!
Except not, because the wheel was so difficult to fit between the arms of the swing-arm that I even attempted to stretch them apart mechanically. Fortunately, that didn't work: the swing-arm is stronger than it looks. Anyway, the wheel went in eventually...
Come the need to put new tyres on, it was a struggle to get the rear wheel out again because of the lack of clearance. As one does while changing tyres, I checked the bearings. One was protruding by maybe 3mm, with the long internal spacer rattling around inside! This would have made the wheel width wider by that amount, so no wonder it was tight.
Of course, the bore of the wheel showed the expected burrs resulting from ham-fisted fitting of the bearings. What amazes me is that the bearings hadn't collapsed, though they surely would given time because the axle would have been tight on the balls without the inner races being supported.
Another lesson learned about the previous owner!
Nick
Except not, because the wheel was so difficult to fit between the arms of the swing-arm that I even attempted to stretch them apart mechanically. Fortunately, that didn't work: the swing-arm is stronger than it looks. Anyway, the wheel went in eventually...
Come the need to put new tyres on, it was a struggle to get the rear wheel out again because of the lack of clearance. As one does while changing tyres, I checked the bearings. One was protruding by maybe 3mm, with the long internal spacer rattling around inside! This would have made the wheel width wider by that amount, so no wonder it was tight.
Of course, the bore of the wheel showed the expected burrs resulting from ham-fisted fitting of the bearings. What amazes me is that the bearings hadn't collapsed, though they surely would given time because the axle would have been tight on the balls without the inner races being supported.
Another lesson learned about the previous owner!
Nick