How bad is riding on a bad wheel bearing?

[Justin]

Just curious how dangerous it is when a wheel bearing is going? I have a front one on the way out, can't really feel it while cruising, but can definitely feel it when using the front brake. I've never had one go completely while riding, what usually happens when they go?

[SLK50]

What you have there is a text book example of Murphy's Law: Any situation
left unto itself can and will only get worse.

Other than the grinding of hard parts and really sloppy handling ( read dangerous )
what could go wrong? I just hope I don't read about you in a
"another motorcyclist found dead" thread.

[ConPilot1]

I check my wheel bearings at wheel pulls/tire changes.

26,000 miles my front one felt fine on the bike, but to the finger turning the bearing, there was a bit of crunchiness.

replaced that sucker right away. I couldn't imagine smoking one totally and seizing up a wheel or something.

[Kneescrubber]

Sorry, you can't repeat a karma action without waiting 1 hours.

[Scratch33]

 what usually happens when they go?

They usually go in the middle of a trip in the middle of nowhere on a weekend after any repair shops have closed.  
If you don't change it right now, at least buy a replacement & carry it along.

[Justin]

Sorry, you can't repeat a karma action without waiting 1 hours.

Umm wtf? I ask a question and you give me negative Karma? God I love this forum sometimes. (sarcasm)

My apologies, but I have never had one "blow". I have had ones that were bad and replaced. Just curious what the end result is when they do.

[scottzilla]

Gee Justin, it's probably as bad as riding a Blackbird with no rear brakes.  I'm sure you remember that.

[Justin]

Gee Justin, it's probably as bad as riding a Blackbird with no rear brakes.  I'm sure you remember that.

C'mon Scott....   it was front brakes to be fair, and only one side..

[HanksXXX]

There is the possibility of the bearing seizing and locking the wheel...
It happened to me once and it sucked...

[veefer800canuck]

How bad?

Very bad.

[Justin]

Thanks folks - question answered. And for the record, it was an honest question. I have had ones that started to go, and were replaced soon after. This one feel really crappy. So the bike's parked until the bearings I ordered today arrive

[scottzilla]

C'mon Scott....   it was front brakes to be fair, and only one side..

Well, we did have to steal the rear pads though.  

[Justin]

Well, we did have to steal the rear pads though.  

Oh right.  

Thanks for making me relive my embarrassment.  

[Windblown]

main·te·nance/ˈmānt(ə)nəns/
Noun:   

1. The process of maintaining or preserving someone or something, or the state of being maintained: "the maintenance of democratic government".
2. The process of keeping something in good condition: "car maintenance"; "essential maintenance work".

 


New bearings are cheap. New bearings, axle, wheel, & rotors - not so much.

[Justin]

If you are lucky, your biggest problem will only be trying to fix it in a small town in Nebraska on a Sunday afternoon.  Remember; when the bearing goes, the axle will drop lower than the center of the wheel.  Bad things will happen--locking up is a real possibility.

Did you happen to have a spare with you? I suspect that Moto Guzzi bearings are a rare commodity in Nebraska. Or were you able to pull it on the sidewalk and find a store that had a bearing the same size?

[tomek]

Get some real new bearings - no 1$ ebay parts or All Balls kits , they are junk .

[Justin]

Get some real new bearings - no 1$ ebay parts or All Balls kits , they are junk .

Oh?  I have heard good things about All Balls. What is wrong with them? They look to be well made to me.  And do you have any suggestions as to which companies make a "real" bearing?    

[veefer800canuck]

Oh?  I have heard good things about All Balls. What is wrong with them? They look to be well made to me.  And do you have any suggestions as to which companies make a "real" bearing?    

IIRC, All Balls sources their bearings from KML, a Chinese company.

I have no scientific evidence, but NSK and FAG are widely regarded as industry leaders in the bearing market. Nachi is quite good as well.


KML Bearing and Equipment Ltd.
Company Address:   401-407, Zone 1, Block 2, 537 Panyu Avenue North, Panyu District, Guangzhou, China
City/Province:   Guangzhou/Guangdong
Country/Region:   China
Zip/Postal Code:   511400
Telephone Number:   86-20-39922589-226  

[ConPilot1]

Just look up a local parts/bearing house. They're 9-12 bucks each. Ask for Japanese ones, not Chinese.

Look up BEARINGS in your Yellow Pages and go there. The Jap bike bearings should be commonly available parts. Give them the numbers off your old ones or look them up in your shop manual.

[birdrunner]

Did you happen to have a spare with you? I suspect that Moto Guzzi bearings are a rare commodity in Nebraska. Or were you able to pull it on the sidewalk and find a store that had a bearing the same size?

Parts available at the better Tractor parts stores.