How Often Should I Change the Wheel Bearings on a Harley-Davidson?

Wheel bearing maintenance on a Harley-Davidson is very important.

Repacking Wheel Bearings

Wheel bearings on a Harley-Davidson should be checked for wear every 10,000 miles. If they're loose or rough, a mechanic can usually repack them. It's important to check the wheel bearings because a bad one can cause a motorcycle wheel to lock completely, possibly injuring the rider and damaging the bike.

Replacing Wheel Bearings

If a Harley-Davidson has a hum or roar coming from the tire, the likely cause is a bad wheel bearing. The tire will also show signs of uneven tread wear and the bike may feel wobbly or pull to one side. According to Harley-Davidson riders, wheel bearings need to be replaced every 35,000 to 65,000 miles.

Bottom Line

Wheel bearing maintenance on a Harley-Davidson is critical to ensure the safety of the rider and the longevity of the bike. Checking the wheel bearings every 10,000 miles and using genuine Harley-Davidson grease to repack them can help the bearings last as long as 65,000 miles.

References

• HD Forums: Replace Wheel Bearing with Tire Change?
• Baggersmag.com: Harley Wheel Bearings
• Google Books: 101 Harley-Davidson Twin Cam Performance Projects