Hey Everyone! May's Bike of the Month challenge is now open for entries!

Need help finding part number for wheel bearings

1392 Views 14 Replies 5 Participants Last post by duc96cr, 3 mo ago

OddBird

Discussion Starter · 3 mo ago

Automotive tire Motor vehicle Motorcycle Fender Membranophone

While my forks are removed for an oil change and a re-seal and I’m rebuilding the carbs, my plan was to replace the front wheel bearings, as things are looking pretty crusty in there….but I am having a hell of a time finding a bearing part number to order.
Does anyone have an actual bearing number I can use to source bearings locally, or am I left with having to order from Ducati in Italy and deal with the two to four week wait?

Any help appreciated, perhaps even a US source that might have them on the shelf…

It’s a 1998 FE (I’m assuming that the bearings are the same as the 1997)

See less See more

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

belter

· #2 · 3 mo ago

6204? 20x47x14.

Reactions: 1

Neil66

· #3 · 3 mo ago

belter said:
6204? 20x47x14.

⬆ This

Tire Wheel Automotive tire Tread Bicycle part

See less See more

Reactions: 1

OddBird

Discussion Starter · #4 · 3 mo ago

Thank you!

wdietz186

· #5 · 3 mo ago

A good industrial supply house can supply the bearings, 6204 is a fairly common number. Or you could try All Balls

Reactions: 1

OddBird

Discussion Starter · #6 · 3 mo ago

belter said:
6204? 20x47x14.

Thank you Belter. Is a serviceable bearing (6204 RS - open on one side) vs. completely sealed on both side (6204 2RS) just a matter of personal preference, or is it smarter to get a bearing that you can re-lubricate? Not sure that I should trust that the bearing was lubed properly. If I am going to lube it, any recommendation on a specific grease?

belter

· #7 · 3 mo ago

they need to be sealed. i use nsk ddu bearings, which is a better seal. double contact seal maybe?

OddBird

Discussion Starter · #8 · 3 mo ago

belter said:
they need to be sealed. i use nsk ddu bearings, which is a better seal. double contact seal maybe?

Thank you

OddBird

Discussion Starter · #9 · 3 mo ago (Edited)

2

belter said:
they need to be sealed. i use nsk ddu bearings, which is a better seal. double contact seal maybe?

Thanks Belter. As I overthink it all, I seem to have opened Pandora’s Box.. there are different iterations of these bearings- the "RS" has a rubber seal on one side for servicing of the bearing, "2RS" is completely sealed and pre-lubricated. And the DDU-RSK that I found is also a “C3” is for high speed, but it has an increased internal clearance, which I would think is a bad idea for a motorcycle wheel. While I might ride the motorcycle at "high Speeds", the wheel bearing is actually turning at quite a "low speed".... so I ordered the standard 6204-RS and will pop one side off when I get them to see if they are lubricated or not and lube it myself when they get here.

I am also accustomed to having MIL Spec number for correct grease for a particular application, and then cross-reference from there. I don't think Ducati provides a MIL Spec for grease for these bearings, so I've got more research to do.

Thanks everyone for your assistance.

Product Camera lens Automotive tire Font Screenshot

Product Font Material property Parallel Screenshot

See less See more

duc96cr

· #10 · 3 mo ago

C3 is the standard clearance for bearings, and what most bearing companies would sell you if you didn’t ask for a specific clearance. We are talking .oooo “ differences , so it isn’t like you will know the difference.

Reactions: 2

duc96cr

· #11 · 3 mo ago

The seals easily pop off if you buy sealed both sides , then want to lube them at a later date.

Reactions: 1

OddBird

Discussion Starter · #12 · 3 mo ago

duc96cr said:
The seals easily pop off if you buy sealed both sides , then want to lube them at a later date.

Thanks for this info- bearings are on the way and forks are apart.

belter

· #13 · 3 mo ago

i always use c3 bearings for wheel bearings, and i never remove seals and grease. it's not designed as a removeable seal. that's why it's called a sealed bearing.

Reactions: 1

OddBird

Discussion Starter · #14 · 3 mo ago

belter said:
i always use c3 bearings for wheel bearings, and i never remove seals and grease. it's not designed as a removeable seal. that's why it's called a sealed bearing.

Thanks for taking the time to post that- I’ve still got to do the rear wheel, so more bearings to order.

duc96cr

· #15 · 3 mo ago

I buy sealed bearings wherever it makes sense, dirty wet locations like wheels, swing arm, etc are best sealed , but if you’ve ever popped the seal off an old bearing, there usually isn’t much grease left. I like to use boat trailer grease which should give better moisture protection when i grease bikes. That still doesn’t mean you should use a pressure washer on your hubs or swing arm pivot though.

Reactions: 1

1 - 15 of 15 Posts