Changeing front wheel bearings

[hotfoot]

Help: has anyone replaced the front wheel bearings on the ST1100 ? My front wheel doesn't spin as long as other bikes. Is it much of a job?

Charlie

Hotfoot

[HankSTer]

Hotfoot,
not on an st100, but on my VFR. I too was concerned about the 'easy spin' of the wheel. I thought it was the alignment of the rotors in the calipers (and thus the pads), there's a procedure to follow for this.

one day I decided to go to the local dealer, sales guy let me put a new vfr on the center stand and I had him hold down the rear so I could spin the front... yup, brand new it was getting about as much turn as mine was...

so how much turn you get is a combo of alot of things, not just bearings.

good luck with it,

[Highrider]

Are you checking the bearings with the brake calipers on or off the bike?

[Fred]

The spin rate is probably not a good way to judge as per HankSTer. I lost the front bearing on my 04 ST. It was obvious because it was yelling at me. managed to drive it to the dealership but when I arrived all was quite. Lifted up the wheel and turned it. The dealer and I could feel the roughness although it was very light. You may want to feel for roughness and any bearing lash (slight side to side or twisting motion). If you have either the bearing is toast otherwise it is good. As far as to how to replace, the 1300 is different so I have no idea. Good luck.

[hotfoot]

Thanks guys. I didn't take off the brake pads. I don't feel any cracking in the wheel very smooth so Iguess I am allright. (Ride On.)

[George]

Hotfoot, pull the wheel and stick yur finger in the bearing hole and twist. You'll soon know if ya need new bearings. In fact, as long as you've gone this far, replace'em.

Ron Majors (RIP) always changed his every 25,000 miles. That's over-kill, IMO, but he was an accomplished engineer and generally knew of what he spoke.

I knock mine OUT with a drift from the far side, push in the new ones with a really big socket and a hammer from the near side. Don't leave the center spacer out or you'll ruin a new bearing correcting your oversite.

Front bearings are available by part number (which I don't recall right now but six versions will follow from those reading this thread) at yur local bearing house for ~$30/pair.

Rear wheels are a little more work and harder to come by.

Do yurself a favor and buy a FULL set (front and rear) from CBR Bearings in LA, carry'em with ya wherever you ride. (I do.)

BTW, I changed _two_ sets of front bearings on my first long trip last summer (two different front wheels.)