Packing Sealed Bearings

[Steverino]

I was reading an article in Motorcycle Classics magazine about a mid 70's MV Agusta. The owner mentioned during the refurbishment he repacked the wheel bearings. Assuming the MV Agusta is like most modern motorcycles and has sealed bearings I would think packing them in grease would only serve as a magnet for dirt and brake dust. I don't know. Does all that grease serve as a heat sink or something?

[Hahnda]

I don't know about the Agusta but I do know other bikes of that era may have used tapered roller wheel bearings. My older Guzzi's do. Also many times older bikes did not use a sealed wheel bearing, that is what the oil/dust seals were for.

[LOUD MOUSE]

??????????????........lm

I was reading an article in Motorcycle Classics magazine about a mid 70's MV Agusta. The owner mentioned during the refurbishment he repacked the wheel bearings. Assuming the MV Agusta is like most modern motorcycles and has sealed bearings I would think packing them in grease would only serve as a magnet for dirt and brake dust. I don't know. Does all that grease serve as a heat sink or something?

[mike in idaho]

Yes, you can repack sealed ball bearings. The seal on the sides has a rubber lip, if you're careful you can pop them out, grease the bearing them pop them back in.

[LOUD MOUSE]

Hello Mike.
I sent??????????????? because of the effect that was mentioned.
The wheel bearings in the wheels of the bikes we discuss will have one side sealed and can be cleaned/washed and packed with new grease.
Not really sure of this subject at this time. ........lm

Yes, you can repack sealed ball bearings. The seal on the sides has a rubber lip, if you're careful you can pop them out, grease the bearing them pop them back in.

[mike in idaho]

Sealed ball bearings, the kind that are purchased to replace the original unsealed bearings found in old bikes. They come out of the package with a seal on both sides. I never re-use original wheel bearings, it's false economy, new ones arent that much money. There are also liability issues if you are doing the work for someone else or are planning to sell the machine one day.

[LOUD MOUSE]

I won't address why you get a both sides sealed to replace one that isn't for the application that HONDA used it at the wheel area. (one side sealed)
I think that there is never a reason to JUST REPLACE CAUSE IT'S OLD
Well I worked at several GAS STATIONS where we cleaned/washed the wheel bearings (in the 50's) (learned how to cup the grease in the palm of my left hand and press the grease through the bearing so I could see it on the open side or see it push back when ya turned it with the one side sealed type) (that is how HONDA wheel bearing come) so I know I can clean/wash a wheel bearing made in the 60's and it will be as safe as new.
The wheel bearing HONDA used were/are NACHI and in their time and even today are the best ya can get for the application when it comes to bikes and engines.
I offer this so that others won't waste $$$ when they see that some OLD things can be reused and not compromise safety.
Today we have wheel bearing grease which wasn't available when these bikes were issued and it is good to replace the original if you are in that process. ..............lm

Sealed ball bearings, the kind that are purchased to replace the original unsealed bearings found in old bikes. They come out of the package with a seal on both sides. I never re-use original wheel bearings, it's false economy, new ones arent that much money. There are also liability issues if you are doing the work for someone else or are planning to sell the machine one day.