I'll be inside the primary to replace a shifter shaft seal along with new clutch plates and spring. I figured since I was that far into it I should replace the Inner Primary Bearing as well.

Can you guys recommend a replacement bearing rather than the stock HD? Although I've gotten more the 50K miles out of the original I know these don't have a very good reputation starting with the 07's.

Also, are there any tips on R&R the bearing without an arbor press? Carefully removing and installing with nothing but a mallet and rod? Or am I just asking for trouble. Should I not even bother replacing since I don't have a problem with it, just figured at 53K miles it wouldn't hurt to get it done.

 

If it were me and I did not have a press I would take the part in to my local, friendly indy and pay him to do it. There simply is no substitute for using the proper tools. I guess you could beat it in or out if you feel especially froggy.

 

This doesn't answer your question about a replacement inner primary bearing but I thought I'd share an experience of mine that's on topic.

For years I did without a shop press. I did all the heat or cool parts and finding alternative ways to press or beat things apart and back together. I finally bought a small 10 ton press about a year ago. I've used it twice in that year, once to replace wheel bearings in my rear sprocket on a 2012 Ultra and once to replace the inner primary bearing on my wife's 2006 Ultra with a bearing from Baker Drivetrain.

That press is worth every penny I paid for it. I don't regret the purchase one bit and I now have it for repairs for years to come. If I could go back in time many years to when it was a real financial burden and a big decision to buy a tool like a press, I'd find a way to pay for it and get one. I'm not kidding. That press would have saved so much time and so many head aches and bloody knuckles it's not funny. Not to mention parts I damaged and had to spend more money on to replace them.

That's just my take on it. I shopped around a bought what I think is a quality press that came with decent accessories. This is want I bought in the bench top version. I have it on the floor under a shelve out of the way. I have to sit on my knees with a pad to use it but for once or twice a year that's fine. The rest of the time it's really out of the way.

 

Oh ya, the Baker inner primary bearing I installed in my wife's 2006 Ultra has worked out well. I'm not sure if they make one for 2007 and up. You could give them a call and ask.

 

I agree 100%.
While I don't use my press often, it does come in handy and you can't beat the convenience. I picked up a Harbor Freight 12-ton press. While not the best quality press, it works for me. If you read through the reviews on the Harbor Freight website, there are ways to make their press better.
Here is one of the comments from the reviews:

Right out of the box, this unit is indeed somewhat flimsy but is easily solved by replacing the 4 long bolts at the top with 8 individual M12x1.5 x 30mm long grade 10.9 bolts, 16 flatwashers and 8 nylock nuts. Use 8 large diameter 9/16 flatwashers (about 1/16 thick) between the vertical legs and top beam to eliminate the excess space. then you can really tighten them down, but square it all first. The long bolts supplied with the press just cannot tighten enough to keep it all together. this stiffens the whole frame and helps make this press a really decent tool. some others say they welded it together but I don't weld, and bolting will allow for some adjustments over time.

There have also been reports of the arbor plates that are included with the press shattering. I picked up a pair of 7" x 7" arbor plates from swag off-road. Expensive, but I was concerned for both my friends and my safety. Swag also makes a cool press brake for this press.

Arbor Plates
http://www.swagoffroad.com/Arbor-Press-Plates_p_7.html


Press Brake
http://www.swagoffroad.com/12-TON-Pr...Kit-_p_72.html


Harbor Freight 12-ton Press
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-...ess-33497.html

 

Baker does make a inner bearing for 07's. It doesn't have to be pressed onto the shaft. You can cut the old race off with a cutoff wheel. I used a torch to cut mine if you are comfortable with that.

 

The Baker bearing I installed in my wife's 06 needed to be pressed into the inner primary cover after I pressed the stock bearing out of it. Are the newer ones different? I also have a tool to remove the inner race from the shaft but that has nothing to do with my hydraulic press.

 

What's the advantages/disadvantages of using a ball bearing (like the Baker) verse the stock HD roller type bearing?

 

It seems every time I tackle anything other than the normal maintenance I have to go out and buy another tool. However, the money saved by DIY more than makes up the cost of the tools. (And that's exactly how I sell it to the the lovely Mrs.! )

I will start looking into an appropriate press.

Thanks guys for all of the comments. Really appreciated.

Oh, and as another asked, is there a benefit to the Baker style ball bearing vs. the Stock HD roller type. All ***** also makes a replacement and it too is roller type.

Looking at this article it would seem the roller type are better for this application. What say ye gentlemen?

 

Here's a link to the inner primary bearing on Bakers web site. It fits 1985-2007 big twins. They say it's for high torque applications to stop the problem of the inner race walking on the shaft. I replaced the one on my wife's bike with it because the stock one was making noise and I had installed a 98 inch big bore. I figured as long as I'm changing it I'd go with the high torque bearing just to be on the safe side.

http://bakerdrivetrain.com/collectio...ue-bearing-kit