Bearings

[schnowz]

My steering bearing was gone at 30,000 miles  - rust in the lower bearing.
My rear wheel bearing disintegrated at 78,000 miles. The seal had gone on 
the brake side and let in dirt.
The swingarm bearings had rust in them at 46,000 miles but I relubed them 
and replaced them at 86,000 miles.
The type of riding will have some effect on replacement. Rain riding  equals 
more frequent replacement.

    Pete

> I will be taking the wheels off soon to have the new rubber installed.
>
> Was thinking it might be a good time to replace the wheel bearings and 
> swing
> arm bearings at this time.
>
> Question is..  What is the service life expectancy of these?  At what 
> point
> have others replaced them (failure / maintenance).
>
> I have 60,000 Km (40,000 miles) on the stock bearings.   The Steering head
> bearings were replaced last summer, they had failed / worn out, partially
> water induced damage.
> The stock steering head and swing arm bearings were serviced by the
> dealership and re-greased at 25,000Km but have not been touched since.
>
> I would rather do this as a maintenance item then "suffer" a failure and 
> the
> problems that might cause but don't want to spend the time and money if 
> not
> required for another season or two.
>
> Thoughts?
>
> Paul W. Landry