Motorbike Front wheel bearing change

My bike failed its MOT based on the front wheel bearings not sounding too good. I removed the front wheel of my 2002 SV650, took out the old bearings and replaced them with new ones. I also damaged the rotor of the speed sensor and so replaced that during this video also. Great news, I took it straight back for a retest and it sailed through

[@ironwarrior8890]

Great video... very informative...only thing I would do different is loosen the axle nut or any other nut-bolt that requires a breaker bar whilst the bike is on the floor then lift the bike.. easy to knock a bike of a stand whilst swinging on a wrench.

[@TamsenCooper]

That is a really great point, I agree that would be a much better idea!

[@Mtthwpez]

Love your videos. Nice and clear! A tip for the bearings: Put them in the freezer overnight. This will aid in them going in even easier!

[@TamsenCooper]

What a great idea! Thanks for that!

[@brad3201]

Great tip thanks!

[@saschamaj]

Word to the wise: put the bearing on the left side in first; that's the side with the speedo sensor. That side has a groove in the wheel so you can drive the bearing all the way in. Then drive in the bearing on the right side, but you have to make sure to leave a tiny bit of space between the bearings and the spacer so it does not touch both bearings at the same time. It is easily possible to drive in the right side bearing too far and you will freeze up both bearings and it'll be a big pain getting out the bearings again. Ask me how I know.

[@TamsenCooper]

Brilliant and very useful comment, thank you. Love the "ask me how I know" part- it is the major reason I include mistakes in my videos, rather than editing them out, I figure if I made that mistake and show it, it may stop someone else from doing it too!

[@mariocabrera2521]

She took the hit with the hammer in her hand like a champ, I will be cursing in Spanish and dancing holding my hand, really good videos, congratulations and best regards from California...

[@bikerboi1983]

Not quite. The bearing should lightly seat on to the spacer tube; just enough so you can still move it with say a screwdriver. If you don't do this and you leave a gap between the bearing and spacer tube then you'll wreck the bearings when you torque up the wheel.. same for the rear one too.

[@georgepacey2503]

God your bike is so clean! My sv is black but that blue is staggering. Again another brilliant informative video for us sv lovers. They are really helping me as a guide to getting my sv in tip top shape. Can't wait for the next video!

[@TamsenCooper]

Thanks, your comment has really made my morning! I agree, the blue is an amazing colour. Glad the videos are helping! Thanks for watching.

[@trikkinikki970]

I don't even need bearings changed, I just enjoy watching your vids to learn things about the SV and maintenance. Even though I have a gen 2 you are an amazing teacher that really gets into the details. But using wood (or something) to help have the wheels in position when you put them back in, such a simple idea, but absolutely brilliant. I had such a pain trying to get my wheels back on after I got new tires, but I pulled it off. Thanks for sharing that little tidbit :)

[@strongocho]

Your channel is a lifesaver. An absolute must for SV650 owners.

[@michaeljuarez9801]

I just want to say thanking you for all your videos they have helped me out a lot.

[@TamsenCooper]

Thank you Michael, I am really pleased it helped out. I have more videos coming so I hope you will enjoy those too.

[@SmR8008]

I've superglued a rotor in the past. The rotor later failed elsewhere, but the glued bit was still OK lol. Another great vid, keep them coming😊

[@TamsenCooper]

Ah, you see I was so torn, I had read a lot online about people that had just glued them, even the guy at the bike garage suggested that. I think if I had only been one 'lug down' I would have considered it, but I figured whilst I had the wheel off I might as well change it! Thanks for your nice comment, I shall start working on the next video!

[@grampawatson5539]

Hi Tamsin, thanks for the video. I followed it when I did the front wheel bearings on my 2004 V Strom and your step by step advice was spot on. Many thanks

[@TamsenCooper]

Love hearing when the video has helped, really pleased! Thanks for watching!

[@clickireland1113]

Good on ya encouraging biking & works. Small tip Tamsen: When using drifts: Tap with an impact 'uplift.' What I mean is not to hammer as nailing; i.e. a solid bang. But a 'tap' - immediately on impact jerking the hammer back up. This method reduces force on bearing removal etc. but is still effective albeit more strikes needed. Keeps the knuckles safe though. I'm building a Yamaha and a Cagiva currently and learning lts of things the hard way . Lots I mean. See - typing sucks even :) Good luck!

[@mickeyflynn1954]

Very coooool to watch a female maintain her own bike, there ain't tooo many out there like ya hun !!! I'm just waiting on the parts to do my chain & sprockets then thought to myself.. might as well do the rear bearings at the same time so I've ordered and am also waiting on them.. then I thought to myself.. may as well do the front wheel bearings while I'm at it... as I've never had to do this task before on any of my last four bikes, six vans or half dozen cars that I've ever owned cheers for sharing your skills and for posting this vid as it's just given me a heads up for what to expect to get the jobby dun !! Safe Riding & Best of Everything

[@WaddupBoi]

Great guide. My wheel bearings were rusty so using a screwdriver didn't do much. Instead, I popped a socket that would fit inside spacer but still get caught on the back end of the old bearing, then I just bashed it out that way, worked very well.

[@DatOldeBiker]

Good work, but may I make the following suggestions 1: Put that piece of wood on top of the bearings before using the hammer to seat the new one in place (easier to keep it square) & 2: Use a solid socket wrench to loosen the bolts, then use the ratchet to wind them out.I'm really enjoying these vids btw - so much so that I almost hope my bike breaks so I can do some repairs lol :>)

[@TamsenCooper]

Brilliant suggestions, thank you! I am so pleased you have been enjoying the videos, I really appreciative the time you have taken to write such constructive comments. I hope you like the videos I shall be uploading shortly.

[@encerwalgg]

Your videos have taught me a lot. I just got this bike and I am really glad to see so many videos about it on your channel. I noticed you took a long break in between videos but I'm glad to see you still have the bike

[@TamsenCooper]

Glad you like them! Thanks for watching!

[@DukeDyson]

Another great video; clear and precise. I always look forward to them, so keep 'em coming :)

[@TamsenCooper]

Thank you, I do enjoy making them and it great to hear when people enjoy watching them. I best start working on the next one ;)

[@JustMe-mt5df]

My goodness I am learning so much. I thought I needed a new front stand, I just didn’t know how the rubber pads were supposed to go. Now I can check my bearing. Thanks again!

[@r3dhorse]

You can use a socket on the outer race of the bearing to drive it in but using the old bearing also works well.

[@PraetorianPhil]

Thanks Tamsin! Super clear and confidence inspiring.

[@javierfigalbajo8134]

Muchas gracias por los vídeos, me ayudan mucho al mantenimiento de mi moto. Un saludo desde España!!

[@TamsenCooper]

I am so pleased you have enjoyed the videos so much, and I am glad they have been useful. Thanks for the nice comment! Estoy muy contento de que hayan disfrutado mucho los videos, y me alegro de que hayan sido útiles. ¡Gracias por el lindo comentario!

[@clickireland1113]

And thanks for the video this is my first wheel bearing change.

[@Christian-ve1wi]

Thank you so much this video and overs I have watched are exceptional. I bought my bike one for riding and secondly to learn to fix things myself, another biker suggested your channel and I am so glad I did. Bearings on wheels great another job you have given me the confidence to do, minimal tools and some patience that will be job done. Again Thank you.

[@TamsenCooper]

Thank you! I am not mechanically trained, just learning as I go and trying to share that, and from your amazing comment I feel it is making a difference! Let me know if there are any videos you would like to see, and I will add it to my list!

[@vstrom9586]

Very good video. Thanks for taking the time to explain in detail. It's the little things that make a job successful

[@alwynfarmer2112]

Love the jobs that you carry out yourself, would like to see a price comparison and how much you saved as opposed to sticking it in the garage, I'm sure lots of viewers would be interested, great vid as always 😁

[@TamsenCooper]

I think the 4000 mile service (there is a step by step playlist) can be a a couple of hundred, I still use the garage when I get stuck or need a second opinion, the one close to me is amazing, but buying the parts and doing it yourself is a huge money saver.

[@TamsenCooper]

Yeah this is a perfect description! It takes time, especially the first time you do it, but then the cost is significantly reduced.

[@tcatseyeview9217]

Very precise informative video I enjoyed watching and learnt enough to tackle job myself thanks 👍

[@AfroSnackey]

SV650 from 2002 is so weird. It looks like a sportbike!

[@iceman340h]

It would have been helpful to see you put the second bearing in with that center tube, but great video, is there a lip where the bearing stops on each side like when I did the bearing on my van?

[@TamsenCooper]

That is a fair point, it would have been good to include that, yes there is a slight lip, and when you come to put the second bearing in, the spacer will also stop it going too far. Thanks for watching.

[@martinw2893]

You are awesome. .so professional. .I love your videos tasmin ☺☺

[@TamsenCooper]

What a lovely thing to say, thank you. I am pleased you liked the videos.

[@gorillaau]

Tamsen Cooper just wanted to add to Martin's comment... This was a veey good video. Thanks for putting it together. About the only thing I would have done was to pick the wheel up and put it on the bench as I hate kneeling to work. But that's a minor thing. Keep the rubber on the road.

[@r1sabotage]

freeze the bearing and heat the wheel and it falls right in...

[@TamsenCooper]

Ah yes true, but there is something to be said for hitting things with a hammer... ;)

[@leytonsmith9258]

Hey Tamsen, could not help but notice you have an Abba stand. does it provide enough lift on the front to pull the front forks out of the yokes should the back wheel be held down ??

[@TamsenCooper]

That is a great question, it lifts the front wheel of the bike up about 20cm from the floor, so gives good clearance. You can buy an attachment that holds the rear wheel down to lift the front clear without needing someone to keep their weight on it!

[@leytonsmith9258]

Tamsen Cooper 20cm is enough :) I beat be saving and getting one of these !! bit more expensive in NZ once landed.

[@TamsenCooper]

I have put changing the front forks on my list... I was thinking of going for progressive springs so it was not quite so bouncy! Abba stand expensive, but worth the investment- i love mine!

[@leytonsmith9258]

Tamsen Cooper yours is a curvy sv, but I found on my sv, stock springs , stock fluid level but going to 10wt made a nice difference. you will always trade off a handling property though. my sv is less diveish , much easier in the twistys, but if i encounter corgated surface around bend, it is not as forgiving as when it was soft. The Tyre tends to work more in the front :) might try emulators after a year and see how that goes. keep us posted on the progressive springs !!

[@TamsenCooper]

+Leyton Smith will do!!

[@Grimjack13]

New subscriber. Thanks for the great video!

[@TamsenCooper]

Thank you, I am so pleased you enjoyed it, I will get working on the next video soon.

[@DutchedShedBuilds]

Tamsen, really like the video’s , really helpful. I have been having problems with my speedometer. I changed the rotor and seal.(eventhough there was no apparent damage or wear). It starten working after that.., for about 40km. Then it stopped again. Could it be the sensor? And would that make sense? Or is something else broken?

[@TamsenCooper]

Hey, did you get this sorted in the end? I am keen to know what ended up being the problem!

[@ericdieleman5409]

Thanks for the video, very clear..

[@Roomer645]

Very informative, cheers Tamsen !

[@shred46]

Excellent video!!! Did the wheel spin much better?

[@TamsenCooper]

Yeah! The improvement was brilliant, and it sounded much better too.

[@chr11sf]

great vid. love how calm you are especially when things go a tad wrong...good quality to have but c'mon you must have edited out some colourful words during that hand hammertime!!??

[@TamsenCooper]

When it happens a fair bit you kinda just learn to roll with it... Glad you are enjoying the videos, I really enjoy making them!

[@neilwilliams3831]

Hi did you ever do a video about removing the engine. And then back in .....👍

[@azazelloo]

You're cool! I really like you ! you're just great!

[@internetmike]

Have you got a link to the new bearings you used by any chance?

[@TamsenCooper]

I'm so sorry I don't, I got them from Southwest motorcycles near where I live after my MOT. I can tell you they were made by NTN but I will ask them next time I see them.

[@internetmike]

No problem, thanks again for such informative videos. I'm also on an SV650 group on Facebook and someone was promoting you there today. The community loves you/ your videos.

[@TamsenCooper]

Oh that is so cool! I don't use FB but to know that level of support is out there is brilliant, thanks for letting me know! I am proper grinning now!

[@dazzernorris]

Welcome back

[@TamsenCooper]

lol! thank you!

[@billd3692]

Nicely done

[@TamsenCooper]

Thank you!

[@ScoundrelThe187]

Totally wrong! The sv has a very specific way to install new bearings. First you do the speedo side bearing that goes fully in. Then you do the other side and the bearing must be seated against the spacer. Check Svrider for better explanation. In the shown way bearings will not last.

[@CY3ER]

You probably wouldn't ruin your tools so much if you used a dead blow hammer, just fyi.... great vid.

[@TamsenCooper]

fair point... well made... ;)

[@HalfdeadRider]

dead blow hammer? never heard that before, I guess that's just a rubber mallet.

[@roymichaeldeanable]

maybe better to remove the Brake Rotors, in my opinion....before you start....xx

[@TamsenCooper]

Yeah, good tip, thanks Roy!

[@roymichaeldeanable]

Just about to do mine....xxx

[@menmentantan5591]

WOW~ I recommend you to use plastic hammer, instead..

[@vincentsonborn5832]

Your tire is backwards. Treads are going in wrong direction. Or maybe that how they do it over there.

[@dgphi]

That's how they do it everywhere. That's how the tires are designed to go.

[@Viperkac]

You are awesome.

[@TamsenCooper]

Thanks, that is a really lovely thing to say. Thanks for watching my videos!

[@niconine268]

Great video & instructions. Efficient job

[@bitsnbobs1969]

lady doing her own bike fare play saves paying garage

[@riverhuntersuk7387]

Wish you could come and do my rear wheel bearing lol doesn't matter how many times I watch a video I'm too scared to give it a go lol

[@TamsenCooper]

My advice would be give it a go, if I can do it, I am sure you will be fine. If you get out of your depth, by the time you get the wheel off, its pretty easy to carry to a local garage for reinforcements if you need it! Please let me know how you get on!

[@riverhuntersuk7387]

@@TamsenCooper The wheels off now its on a paddock stand and I've abandoned it 😂

[@TamsenCooper]

@@riverhuntersuk7387 Excellent!! Great first step! Have you abandoned it until tomorrow or did it feel a bit much? You have totally got this, I am waiting to hear how you get on!

[@riverhuntersuk7387]

@@TamsenCooper I'm nervous of damaging the inside of the wheel as I tap the old bearing out

[@TamsenCooper]

@@riverhuntersuk7387 totally understand that, there are bearing removal tools for about £40 or you can use the drift method I did (basically a screwdriver and a hammer) just take it easy, hit the bearing (it doesn’t matter if you break the bearing when you are replacing it anyway!) and move around so the bearing does not come out at an angle but straight. Good luck, you got this!

[@nila-ex5rp]

Better with a bearing extractor tool kit - not expensive.. ..this way not a proper way.

[@roymichaeldeanable]

I use a Breaker Bar all the time as some idiot has swung on the bolt........

[@TamsenCooper]

Breaker bar is definitely this girls best friend ;)

[@michaelmilton8925]

Five star⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@emmanuelcheng188]

ouch... that hurts

[@gnanamoorthiadvocate2032]

Unprofessional work

[@TamsenCooper]

Well yeah it is unprofessional, that is the point! I am learning maintenance and sharing what I learn!!!! I hope you like some of my other videos better!

[@chocolate_squiggle]

I'm learning too and the more videos I can see of others doing a job the more confidence I have to attempt something myself. So thanks Tamsen it's much appreciated. Well done on doing this yourself and getting your MOT.

[@Soccer30278]

Cutting the hard parts in the video as usual. the viewers should see when things are getting hard to disassemble how to go from there.👎

[@TamsenCooper]

Hey, thanks for taking the time to drop me a comment, it is a difficult balance between ensuring everything gets covered and not ending up with a video which is too long. I am aiming to make some more videos soon, so will try and ensure I get as much detail in as possible. Thanks for watching.

[@Supernova12034]

Great video Just curious, the 2 new bearings, they end up sort of clamping on to the spacer in the middle dont they? Its not just free floating around in there without the bearings touching it, is it?