Rear wheel bearings

[weedavie_j]

Can anyone help.
I'm giving a mate a hand to fit a 240 back wheel which has been custom made from two halves of a fat boy wheel.
Were at the point where I've made hubs to make up the difference from narrow to the new width and am now trying to determine what bearings and dimensins of spacers etc. to align the new chain drive set up.
I don't have the original wheel bearings so the question is, what type of bearings are best to use.

i.e. normal single row radial ball bearings or single row angular contact.??

Although there shouldn't be much if any axial load on a wheel spindle I just wonder which way to go.

and what is normally used on the standard set up?

Any info would be appreciated as I'm keen to keep the project moving on and hope to order the bearings and have the machining done soon.

Cheerz Wacko

[Spen]

The wheel bearings in my 89 Glide are Timken Taper Rollers type, LM11949/11910.

I know that the newer models use sealed ball races, but I don't know the size.

You could try giving Cyclehaven a ring on: 01522 543492

Hope this helps

Spen

[kiwidave]

Yeah, up to 1999 Davie Harleys had for donkey's years used tapered roller bearings......separated by spacer and (usually) shims with freeplay on the bearings often set to, if I recall right, .005-.015 but depending on model (see the Tech section for a few tips if you are setting these up OEM style).

I know there are scientific explanations for using different types of bearings for different applications, but your mere use of the word AXIAL indicates to me you know a lot more about all that than I do..!

[Battersea]

Personally I would use the 2000up bearing set-up, sealed for life and no worries about setting end float (pre 2000 taper roller type) which is quite critical. There have been instances of bearing break-up in our region when end float has been wrong.

The bearings are sealed double row ball bearings. They are available from Custom Chrome at reasonable money #20978.

The seals have this number on them, 304C3-H, but dont know if it represents a recognizable code.

Bore is 3/4" (it says so on the packet) O.D. 2 1/16" and width 13/16", measured both with a plastic rule so dont take as gospel. You might be able to match the sizes etc at a bearing supplier.

[weedavie_j]

Thanks guys for that info.

I wanted to avoid having to 'load up' end float etc. so I'm pleased to hear that the current set up is 'normal' ball bearings, although I never expected them to be double row

this is going to make life a lot easier calculation wise for the spacers etc.

I've got plenty meat on the hubs so i should be able to select a size near to the ones you've suggested Battersea and machine to suit.
we've already got the wheel spindle made at 3/4" dia. so 'imperial' size bearings are what I'll be looking at buying, probably from a local supplier although I will phone Custom Chrome for a quote too

I'll keep ya' posted
Cheerz

Wacko

[hogglide]

Davie,try this no 0131 335 3330 B.R.T. bearing supplies Ratho station near airport, bought timkens from them good prices.

[Battersea]

Update on sizes

Measured bearings with digital vernier and they are odd, o.d. = 51.95mm (Nom 52) width 21.96mm (Nom 22) but bore is definitely 3/4"

Have put an enquiry out to our bearing suppliers, still waiting for reply.

[kiwidave]

There are many *ODD* bearing sizes on H-Ds.

It is called ''proprietary'' I think........which means you gotta go to H-D to buy them, and they can ream you for the pleasure.

Nice surprise to hear the late style bearings can be bought through CCI. But at ''Harleyish'' prices no doubt.

One of the beauties of the pre-99 bearings: available everywhere for relative peanuts. And really, not much more hassle than the new type.

And BTW the late style ones are *NOT* necessarily maintenance free either. Ever see the ''special wheel bearing service for Twin Cams'' sign at the dealership service dept menu? There were problems, oh yes!

[Battersea]

Originally Posted by kiwidave

There are many *ODD* bearing sizes on H-Ds.

It is called ''proprietary'' I think........which means you gotta go to H-D to buy them, and they can ream you for the pleasure.

Ever the sceptic Dave

Looks like your ' proprietary ' quote may be right though, bearing supplier came back today with a 'no can find' answer.

Originally Posted by kiwidave

Nice surprise to hear the late style bearings can be bought through CCI. But at ''Harleyish'' prices no doubt.

Actually quite reasonable about a tenner each. ;)

Originally Posted by kiwidave

And BTW the late style ones are *NOT* necessarily maintenance free either.

Well yes you are right nothing is totally maintenance free but mine have done 25k without even being looked at and they still feel as good as new.

[kiwidave]

Tenner each? GOOD DEAL!