How-to Check Motorcycle Wheel Bearings

[@joshherrell93]

This is amazing. No bullshit, all knowledgeable points, and extremely helpful to riders either veterans to the sport or new with little mechanical knowledge. Can't wait to watch more of your videos, subscribed in the first 30 seconds lol!

[@matthew3774]

This is really helpful, I could swear my rear wheel felt a bit weird when riding, but because I wasn’t checking it properly like in this video, it took me a few weeks to realise I had a few mm of side to side free play in the rear wheel. I was grabbing the frame only and moving that from side to side, on the side stand, whereas I should have been grabbing the wheel and pushing that side to side independently of the frame

[@victorwright5291]

Jeff thanks. Great set of videos - very helpful. I recently replaced my KTM 990 front caliper pistons and seals, replaced the pads and fluid and bled the air our just fine. Fitted new tyre and inner tube. I would really appreciate a comment or a short video on your method of re-fitting the front axle in terms of tightening the axle nut and pinch bolt sequence in order to realign the front forks and calipers. Regards and thanks again. Victor

[@dcvroom]

Love your no nonsense vids

[@shingod700]

I tested my front wheel that way, absolutely no free play. I changed the bearing anyway because I know they had a lot of miles in them and one of the bearings was rusted and completely dead, which wouldn't turn at all. I don't know how long it was like that but I guess a couple of rides.

[@HarryMac-Scotland]

Not done much with bikes but cars you definitely get rough/pitted races which can cause lots of noise (& friction) with zero play.

[@Davy-lf4cj]

As all the other comments, fantastic video, I've learnt something new

[@jsemichjr]

Knock knock from the front tire... thanks for the video, will order soon. BTW, incredibly fast shipping to Denver, not sure I could drive to CS and back any faster hah.

[@thelowbudgetguy]

i just picked up an 85 vf700s. going through replacing neglected parts, when front wheel is off the ground, it will hardly spin, no side to side movement, are they too tight? cant find a video showing how free the wheel should spin, the bike is a mule to turn, and going to replace the steering bearings aswell but figured this may be contributing

[@matowixunplugged7927]

Can there be no play in the bearing but its noisy and still bad or is there always play ?

[@David-lx6yc]

Hello, i recently purchased a honda cr 85 and the rear wheel was moving a bit, so I decided to buy a completely new bearing kit. after installing it correctly the rear wheel was still moving, less but still. do you have any idea what it could be?

[@TheOfficialKC]

Good video as usual. What brand bearings do you use? OEM, All Balls or something else? And on the subject of bearings, on your website I only see the upper heim joint for the PDS shock, but what about the lower? I need to replace my lower bearing. And on the upper it doesn't say if it is OEM or some other manufacturer.

[@slaverace1]

+TheOfficialKC Hello: The bearing page has several rows of bearings. The top row has the lower heim.

[@TheOfficialKC]

+Jeff Slavens Thanks, I was looking on the shock parts page. Found it now. Who makes the bearing?

[@treythamma7514]

well I need new bearings 😂

[@nicholascrosswell1863]

Hey man what's it mean if it has the slightly moving in them

[@ritooraj]

Thank you for the information!

[@gehlk4683]

How can you tell if it’s your wheel bearings or your swing arm bearings

[@slaverace1]

This test isolates the wheel bearings. Checking the SA bearings is a lateral test.

[@oriordan51]

thank good video l have some free play on my rear wheel I'll get mine done asap

[@oooooooo2348]

what tires are on this bike?

[@coreyhickman9082]

Letting the clutch out and the bikes shakes would this be a bearing too?

[@slaverace1]

Probably not. More likely a clutch issue.

[@coreyhickman9082]

Yea checked the bearing today its fine and it only does it under load, I just replaced the pack last may and when I start going is the only time it vibrates. It shifts fine and doesn’t seem to slip in higher rpm but I didn’t ride it more then that didn’t want to damage it more then it could be... Brock Davidson said clutch basket or slipper clutch...

[@zesmarkdupahnay3463]

Tnx for these video..

[@PaulaStreet]

Came here cus I'm trying to tighten the back wheel of a pedal bike - driving me nuts (wait, maybe it's the nuts...)

[@gasgasgas]

50-60 dollar range for a set of bearings in 2015? A pair of brand name bearings and seals costs $25 in 2022 after all this crazy inflation. lol

[@slaverace1]

$25 might get Chinese bearings & seals but quality European kits cost a bit more. slavensracing.com/shop/wheel-bearing-seal-spacer-kit-for-ktm-husaberg-husqvarna-by-skf/

[@gabrielhartung8801]

$50-60 for wheel bearings is crazy. Half of that is the most I would pay and that's pushing it.

[@slaverace1]

German quality cost a little more. We prefer not to use Chinese junk to save a buck.

[@gabrielhartung8801]

@@slaverace1 I wish they used a little of that quality on the cylinder o-rings. I prefer to not have to stretch them out to fit by hand. Otherwise, I agree. I would still use a Koyo bearing first because of the price.