Hi All,

Okay so I know that because of the XB12XT's rake it goes through front wheel bearings really quickly. I do on average of around 7K a year and replace my front wheel bearings every 6 months. I usually have the standard 6004-2RS bearings installed as that was the manufacturer 'default' fitment, however I have noticed that there are a range of other options out there. I have few questions if I may ....

1) What is the best type of bearing (manufacturer based on user experience in this forum) I can use for this purpose?
2) The standard is 6004-2RS (double rubber seal), I also noticed that the following are available but don't know if any of these are any better, options are 2RS1, 2RSR, 2RSH and then you get some with the extended suffix of C3 which I believe is for 'Clearance'.

Any advice would be appreciated

Mike (Marshy)

C3 bearings are basically 'worn' from new

They are for use in high temperature applications where the heat generated would expand the balls and races to take up the clearance.

You don't want these in your wheels!

Didn't know what RSH was but Google found this for me...

http://www.skf.com/files/260474.pdf

C3 is the stock OEM bearing play.

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"It is often said that before you die your life passes before your eyes. It is in fact true. It's called living."
Terry Pratchett

I have an xb 12x and was advised to change brg the same time you change tyres .
So rear about 3-4 k and front 6-8 k depending on tyre choice and riding style .
My question is do you really need to change the front brg as low as 3 k or are you just being over cautious ?

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Buell Ulysses XB12X 06/08

They probably dont last long because he's using 6004 instead of 6005

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Mithered ta death.
92 MB
96 S2T
98 S1W
00 M2
01 X1
03 P3
10 CR

Maz,

6004 are for front and 6005 back and are totally different size bearings

OK......it's just that every other XB I've ever seen has 6005 in the front and 6006 in the rear

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Mithered ta death.
92 MB
96 S2T
98 S1W
00 M2
01 X1
03 P3
10 CR

Barney, my 'tyre to bearing' ratio is currently around 4 sets of bearings for a front tyre. I had a pretty bad ratio for the rear to start with, however ever since Tubbs did my rear wheel bearings and fitted the free spirits tensioner I have not replaced them in just over 2 years.

If you are getting through 4 sets of bearings for each front tyre then something is being done drastically wrong , as Gunter pointed out C3 is a standard bearing and C4 are used in high temp applications.
To wear a standard bearing as quick as you are there must be a fitting problem either in technique or the clearances in the wheel wrong ie in relation to the spacer length.

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2001 X1 2009 1125CR 2006 Uly X3 2010 Uly a fully Maz'd S1 and a 1991 RS1200 Westwind.

I don't use C3...

From http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/faq.php?cID=1#1

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08 Specialized Langster

CN is the nominal bearing code.

As Kev says, check your installation technique and also ensure that you use genuine quality bearings from SKF or FAG...

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08 Specialized Langster

Are you sure you haven't been over tightening your spindles there is a torque setting and most dealers don't think when they fit your wheels when changing a tyre

I would also replace the axle bearing spacers - if they have been compressed then that would cause the bearings to wear prematurely.

I personally don't go near the torque settings given for the spindles. With the pinch bolts done up correctly, those spindles are going no where Think about how tight your forks are when you've taken the bolts out of the yokes

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If your dreams don't scare you, they are not big enough.

I've done 25000 miles on my xb and I'm on my second set front and rear.I've never had a power washer anywhere near it I'm sure that makes a difference.