I created an album to clear up some mysteries on the wheel bearing on our bike to hopefully add some clarification to them. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions to add to it or correct if it's not correct. Thanks

 

Nice illustrations. Apparently not all setups are the same, but the idea is very similar...clamp load from the axle is applied thru the bearings' inner races. My tapered bearing setup has no "bearing spacer" and calls for 0.002" to 0.006" of end play.

 

What kind of bike? wide glide? what year? Were you able to use your forks with just new bushings and seals? thanks

 

OK I take that back. My '98 Wide Glide does call for a bearing spacer but I currently don't run one.

I have a custom mag, forks and axle along with a custom length inner spacer with no shims. We'll see what I end up with tonight after I check my end play with the new bearings installed. I'll either shim or create a new inner spacer. The single inner spacer sure is nice for axle installation...a lot less parts floating around in there to get lined up.

 

So my inner spacer was too short causing bearing preload so I ended up making a .50" long bearing spacer and taking off .495" from the inner spacer...no shims. Unfortunately I couldn't find any material laying around to make a one piece spacer that would be .005" longer, and the shims have an oudside diameter too big which end up rubbing on the cage of the bearing if not placed in between spacers.