What grease?

Reppyboyo · Nearly there... Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Karma :

Hi,

I need to take out the rear hub on my Speed Triple to inspect the bearings and repack them with grease as necessary.
What type of grease should I use for the bearings?
Also, what type for greasing the axle? (As in on the inside where the bearing make contact, on the outside of the hub copper slip is needed)

Thanks all.

EDIT: Also, do you need to repack a needle bearing?
If so, how?

lonner · Spanner Monkey Joined: 09 Jan 2009 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Use LM grease for wheel bearings.

Most wheel bearings these days are sealed and do not need to be serviced. You just replace them if they start grumbling.

Use copper grease to stop the spindle seizing. The bearing should not be turning on the spindle.

I'm not familiar with your bike so I'm not sure what the function of your needle bearing is and what type it is.

EDIT: If your wheel bearings are not sealed ones and you are taking them out, I wouldn't put them back in again, I'd replace them with sealed ones from a bearing factors (take the old ones in with you). Bearing factors charge a lot less than motorcycle dealers, usually supply better bearings and almost always have them in stock.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

4Stroke · Scooby Slapper Joined: 04 Dec 2008 Karma :

I'd use Lithium grease.

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Bikeless · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Karma :

I was always told to use constant velocity grease in bearings but i always use lithium as the bearings are sealed anyway.

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

I would use Lithium on the bearings and Moly between the eccentric adjuster and the swingarm.

B10Hazard · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Jan 2009 Karma :

I used morris k99 water resistant when i di my front wheel bearings.
Allthough i only have a 50 at the moment for the winter so my bike will be going knowhere near as fast and the bearingsw will not be getting as hot. I got told by a bike shop to use this stuff, but im guessing for larger bikes you will need a thinner grease, less sticky grease that can cope with a bit more temperature.
K99 worked well though Smile

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The Artist · Super Spammer Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Once again, I would like to say that if you've gone to the effort of removing a set of open wheel bearings to grease them, put sealed ones back in. They are not expensive and you probably damaged the old ones taking them out anyway.

It is another one of those things they do on motorbikes that I really don't understand. Surely an open bearing complete with a two part dust seal costs about the same and is more complex to fit than a double sealed one?

In this day and age, there is no good reason to be greasing rolling element wheel bearings when good quality, sealed, service free ones are so readily available.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.