Possible bearing failure?, Now sorted :)

[darrsi]

Were you riding it when it locked? Hope not!

Think he meant locked up as in secure, chained, garaged, etc.

[Phil]

I was on my way to the ferry at Dover for a weeks touring abroad when the rear bearings went, just after the sun had gone down. Initially it felt like I was riding over a concrete road with a gap between the blocks, bump bump bump. Tyre pressure was, so checked for play and it was that. Called the AA and when the bloke came he said bearings gone, but couldn't give me a lift to Dover as he didn't have the kit to tie it down or some other such excuse. He said ride slowly, it was only about 10 miles, he would follow behind. So I rode to the B&B, it made hell of a din screeching. Next morning took it to a bike repair shop and they said the heat generated had welded part of the bearing to the wheel and would have to get the welder on it to heat it the bearing up to free it, it might ruin the wheel, was it ok for them to continue? Luckily they managed to fix it with no damage.
I'd never ride a bike anywhere again if that happened again, as much from the safety angle as damage.
I was going to take it up with the AA but when I got home from holiday had dismissed it as one of those things.

[chunk166]

Well this is what's left of the right side front wheel bearing, Thinking i had a lucky escape!!!!

[mickvp]

I think you made the right call parking it up TBH, it amazes me the amount of people who can be aware of issues like this but choose still to ride. I know a lot of us use our bikes as our main transport but it really isnt worth it. its not like a car where 1 dodgy wheel bearing and you still have 3 good wheels to keep you relatively safe.

good to see you have found your issue and gotten it sorted anyway buddy

[darrsi]

Yeah that'll cause you problems!  :lol

At least you got it sorted. 

[chunk166]

Cheers  :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup

[His Dudeness]

The right side seems to be the one that fails because the protective dust seal lets muck in and that grinds away at the bearing whereas the left bearing is usually still smooth because it's covered by the speedo drive so muck can't get in at it. Packing the right side with grease every now and then would probably help a lot at preventing a failure. It's worth doing with your new bearings too to keep them in top condition.

[JoeRock]

The right side seems to be the one that fails because the protective dust seal lets muck in and that grinds away at the bearing whereas the left bearing is usually still smooth because it's covered by the speedo drive so muck can't get in at it. Packing the right side with grease every now and then would probably help a lot at preventing a failure. It's worth doing with your new bearings too to keep them in top condition.

Or just get sealed bearings instead of open ones?

[His Dudeness]

[quote author=His Dudeness link=topic=14379.msg163462#msg163462 date=1408573611]
The right side seems to be the one that fails because the protective dust seal lets muck in and that grinds away at the bearing whereas the left bearing is usually still smooth because it's covered by the speedo drive so muck can't get in at it. Packing the right side with grease every now and then would probably help a lot at preventing a failure. It's worth doing with your new bearings too to keep them in top condition.

Or just get sealed bearings instead of open ones?
[/quote]

Think they are sealed. Can't remember for sure though