How long do head bearings last (on average)?
Discussion
I know there's no exact answer to this question as it will depend on the bike and type of riding etc, but I'm just trying to gauge what's to be expected in terms of the lifespan of head bearings.
I have a Honda CBR 300R. The head bearings were replaced two years ago and I've done 5,000 miles since. The bike has failed its MOT again due to a notchy head bearing (I tested it and I notice the notch when I lift the front wheel off the ground and move the steering).
I'm disappointed that these haven't lasted more than two years and 5,000 miles. Most of the riding I do is a ten mile commute in and out of central London.
I'm wondering if this is normal or if the replacement Honda bearings that were fitted last time were just not very good and I should be looking at a better aftermarket alternative?
I have a Honda CBR 300R. The head bearings were replaced two years ago and I've done 5,000 miles since. The bike has failed its MOT again due to a notchy head bearing (I tested it and I notice the notch when I lift the front wheel off the ground and move the steering).
I'm disappointed that these haven't lasted more than two years and 5,000 miles. Most of the riding I do is a ten mile commute in and out of central London.
I'm wondering if this is normal or if the replacement Honda bearings that were fitted last time were just not very good and I should be looking at a better aftermarket alternative?
It varies. I had them changed at about 20k miles (ish) because they were notchy, but then a year or so after that I smashed into a pothole, the impact was violent enough to bottom out the forks and I almost lost my grip on the bars - my wrists were sore for a day or two after. I wasn't surprised to learn the bearings were notchy again when checked later.
I then had a set of roller bearings fitted, and they've lasted tens of thousands of miles. Why Triumph fitted a ball race instead of rollers on a heavy adventure bike I have no idea, but two sets of OEM bearings didn't last as long as one set of aftermarket ones have. The pressure points from a ball will be much higher than a roller, hence the damage from the pothole.
I then had a set of roller bearings fitted, and they've lasted tens of thousands of miles. Why Triumph fitted a ball race instead of rollers on a heavy adventure bike I have no idea, but two sets of OEM bearings didn't last as long as one set of aftermarket ones have. The pressure points from a ball will be much higher than a roller, hence the damage from the pothole.
Generally,I tend to think of a set of tapered rollers as being something that I may change once in the life of a bike - i.e. many years and tens of thousands of miles - and occasionally visit with some grease. Ball bearings can sometimes need a bit more attention. That said, as you said yourself, conditions dictate how long they last. A damaged seal on one bike (a very low mileage Z1000), coupled with a particularly harsh winter meant one set going from fine to dangerous in one local trip - I always presumed salt and damp had got into the races somehow, was surprising how quickly they failed once they started to go....
mikey_b said:
I then had a set of roller bearings fitted, and they've lasted tens of thousands of miles. Why Triumph fitted a ball race instead of rollers on a heavy adventure bike I have no idea, but two sets of OEM bearings didn't last as long as one set of aftermarket ones have. The pressure points from a ball will be much higher than a roller, hence the damage from the pothole.
I think this could be the key learning point here. I suspect that the OEM Honda bearings are ball race types. I'll look at replacing them with roller types instead and hopefully they will last much longer.
If you're not wheelieing everywhere it tends to be rust that kills them IME (as they're not working hard)
I've always fitted rollers and I grease them up with a "waterproof" grease
Their lifespan would then depend on the conditions and whether anyone regreases them - 2 yrs for a commuter is possible I guess
Most bikes it's probably 10+ years
I've always fitted rollers and I grease them up with a "waterproof" grease
Their lifespan would then depend on the conditions and whether anyone regreases them - 2 yrs for a commuter is possible I guess
Most bikes it's probably 10+ years
I'm in the same boat. I had the head bearings replaced 2 years back and I now have a slight notch again. Poor installation? Potholes? Just bad luck? I won't know till I tear I to it over winter.
All I need is special tool for a 8 sided socket! Why not just use a regular 6 sided nut Mr Honda
All I need is special tool for a 8 sided socket! Why not just use a regular 6 sided nut Mr Honda
Steve_H80 said:
I'm in the same boat. I had the head bearings replaced 2 years back and I now have a slight notch again. Poor installation? Potholes? Just bad luck? I won't know till I tear I to it over winter.
All I need is special tool for a 8 sided socket! Why not just use a regular 6 sided nut Mr Honda
They all seem to use weird fixings there. Some enterprising chap on eBay makes tools for the Triumph headstock nuts, by machining down sockets to suit the castellated shape. You may find someone making something to suit yours, being a Honda there will be a big market for them.All I need is special tool for a 8 sided socket! Why not just use a regular 6 sided nut Mr Honda
It wasn't hugely expensive either, certainly a lot cheaper than the OEM Triumph tool.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff