I have a 05 FLTR with chrome exchange wheels. The back bearings failed causing break failure also. Luckily I was at low speed when problem occurred. Put a used cop bike FLHP wheel on with 700 miles. Should I replace the front now even though there no apparent problem with it. Do I need a matching set? Has there been a problem with chrome exchange wheels ?????

 

they use junk bearings and sometimes clean them real well and your getting used bearings.

 

it has also happened with Harley chrome wheels....

 

Besides using old bearings, cheap bearings & simply bad installation....

When the wheels are chromed, cheap shops do not plug or tape off the surfaces where the bearings are pressed in so you have a layer of brass, nickel & chrome there. This makes the internal diameter too small for the outter diameter of the bearing to fit into correctly. If the chrome is not removed & the bearing is pressed in ( under great force) anyway, it can cause a warped bearing outside diameter. Since the outer bearing journal is no longer perfectally round, accelerated wear takes place = bearing failure.

Ive seen where chrome shops didnt remove the bearings but covered up the outer surface. This keeps the chrome plating out but lets all the acid wash in which removes all the grease inside = bearing failure.

When I owned my shop, I saw versions of it many times.