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General => Introductions => Topic started by: saggy0000 on Saturday, 13 May 2017, 05:43 AM

Title: rear sprocket bearing failed today
Post by: saggy0000 on Saturday, 13 May 2017, 05:43 AM
 :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: bang on 30000 miles,no warning atall,just a slight squeel then a lot of rumbling!! anyone else had this hapen?is it common :shocked: :shocked:,thanxs S
Title: Re: rear sprocket bearing failed today
Post by: Kiwifruit on Saturday, 13 May 2017, 05:59 AM
Havnt had it happen to me but I did replace the rear wheel bearings and sprocket carrier bearing as apparently they have been known to give problems.
Title: Re: rear sprocket bearing failed today
Post by: seth on Saturday, 13 May 2017, 06:00 AM
they are a weak point i haven't had it happen but my first k2 did at about the same milage
not long after it was sold
i now change all the bearings and seals every time i change the chain or next tyre change after chain around 20000 miles or so.
:cheers:



Title: Re: rear sprocket bearing failed today
Post by: KiwiCol on Saturday, 13 May 2017, 07:21 AM

This is something I'll be keeping an eye (and ear) out for when the bike up around 50,000k (30,000 miles)  Think she's only done 38 - 39k atm, so fair bit of wear left yet, and, our roads are not covered in salt like your are over winter.


Be interesting to see how long the Aussies are getting out of their rear bearing assys, reckon the longevity would have a lot to do with the riding environment the bike is used in, warm n dry for Ockers & cold n wet for English folk.


@grog   @RickC  @Tony Nitrous @Snapey
Title: Re: rear sprocket bearing failed today
Post by: gsxbarmy on Saturday, 13 May 2017, 07:43 AM
The main problem(s) with the original sprocket bearings are lack of grease from the factory (wow there's a surprise) and that the dust seal is pretty pathetic. Sometimes over tight chains can contribute to early failure (although it would seem not in this instance)

As others have said a notable weak spot on the 14 and something to keep an eye on. Changing them every tim eyou change chain and sprockets is good practice IMO
Title: Re: rear sprocket bearing failed today
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Saturday, 13 May 2017, 08:45 AM
Quote from: KiwiCol on Saturday, 13 May  2017, 07:21 AM
Be interesting to see how long the Aussies are getting out of their rear bearing assys, reckon the longevity would have a lot to do with the riding environment the bike is used in, warm n dry for Ockers & cold n wet for English folk.
@grog   @RickC  @Tony Nitrous @Snapey

Not something I've ever had a problem with, can't remember the last time I changed one unless I was getting wheels powder coated.

We get humidity here (in Qld), but not the cold and damp the UK gets.
I NEVER use a pressure washer, and VERY rarely wet-wash my bikes.
I always add a smear of high temp grease when the wheels are out for tyres.
My bikes get a lot more oil / grease / lube than they get cleaned.
I have other bikes running stock bearings after 18+ years and close to 100,000K's, unless the 14 has a different design or different bearings I'd expect the same.
Title: Re: rear sprocket bearing failed today
Post by: T 24 on Saturday, 13 May 2017, 03:00 PM
Sprocket carrier bearing is the weak point with extra grease or not. I have tired with original style "2RS" bearings and "1RS" bearings with extra grease, the result is same. Now I change rear sprocket bearing at same time I change the rear tyre.
Title: Re: rear sprocket bearing failed today
Post by: grog on Saturday, 13 May 2017, 05:49 PM
i changed mine at 50th ks. was nothing wrong with original. key is, dont over tighten chain. ktm mechanic just down the road, cluey bloke, told me its the way rear brgs and even output brgs get stuffed.
Title: Re: rear sprocket bearing failed today
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Saturday, 13 May 2017, 05:59 PM
Quote from: grog on Saturday, 13 May  2017, 05:49 PM
i changed mine at 50th ks. was nothing wrong with original. key is, dont over tighten chain. ktm mechanic just down the road, cluey bloke, told me its the way rear brgs and even output brgs get stuffed.

I always remember as a kid being told,
"Lose chains going to hurt the rider,
Tight chains going to hurt the bike"
Title: Re: rear sprocket bearing failed today
Post by: Mrg on Saturday, 13 May 2017, 06:02 PM
yes this  is somthing i am going to change while ive got my back wheel of and the bike done 27 thousand now . so a good as time as any to do it  :onya:
Title: Re: rear sprocket bearing failed today
Post by: saggy0000 on Sunday, 14 May 2017, 05:44 AM
just to put things right,the chain was adjusted to manfac tolerance, not overtightened,im not an idiot,i was just asking if this is a problem!!! :notworthy: i have since found out (of ABEX BEARINGS,in WIGAN) that on the k4 they went to KOYO bearings that in that year were CRAP, cheap grease instaled,E,G FAIL, i have ordered full set of english bearings of them, will let you lot know asap thanx S :cheers:
Title: Re: rear sprocket bearing failed today
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Sunday, 14 May 2017, 06:05 AM
Interesting topic.

If its a fault in the bearings then changing them once should solve it, its not normal for big Suzuki's to eat these bearings. Not something thats needed on a regular basis. I do pretty high mileage on various bikes and have never changed one from it failing.

Has anyone had a 2nd or 3rd fail?

If it was a weak spot in the bikes design what is different to any other bike?

Do some early / late models suffer more than others ?


EDIT: The over tightening of the chain is an interesting comment, but unless you've owned the bike from new, not really something that any owner can guarantee.

Title: Re: rear sprocket bearing failed today
Post by: gsxbarmy on Sunday, 14 May 2017, 09:04 AM
Quote from: saggy0000 on Sunday, 14 May  2017, 05:44 AM
just to put things right,the chain was adjusted to manfac tolerance, not overtightened,im not an idiot,i was just asking if this is a problem!!! :notworthy: i have since found out (of ABEX BEARINGS,in WIGAN) that on the k4 they went to KOYO bearings that in that year were CRAP, cheap grease instaled,E,G FAIL, i have ordered full set of english bearings of them, will let you lot know asap thanx S :cheers:

No-one suggested you were an idiot, the comment was that "tight chains could contribute (but clearly not in this instance)".

Have never had a problem with Koyo bearings personally, in fact its what I changed all the bearings on my K7 to, and they worked perfectly, and I would have no hesitation in recommending them over and above the standard Suzuki ones. Others who have used Koyo have found similar. As for cheap grease - there is no such thing, more the cause - as we have found out with Suzuki across all models - is that they were stingy on applying grease, on all bearings be they head, swing arm, whatever. Also the dust seal as fitted to the original (factory) bearing was pretty poor (as they left one side of the bearing open - crazy. Frankly I think Abex Bearings have spun you a line about Koyo and the K4 just to get you to buy their bearings as bearing failure and Koyo has never come up on this or the previous gsx1400.org before, and there are enough K4's out there with high mileage that I think we would have known about it from existing owners over the years. That's not to say they are not right but frankly I'm pretty doubtful, as they are not exactly industry suppliers, just an outlet.
Title: Re: rear sprocket bearing failed today
Post by: T 24 on Sunday, 14 May 2017, 02:27 PM
If you read Hayabusa forums, you will notice that the sprocket carrier bearing is even bigger problem in busas than in 14:s. And Hayabusa is using the same bearing as GSX 1400.
Also from Hayabusa forums you can find instructions how to fit bigger and stronger bearing to sprocket carrier. Next time I may try that modification.
Title: Re: rear sprocket bearing failed today
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Sunday, 14 May 2017, 02:46 PM
Quote from: T 24 on Sunday, 14 May  2017, 02:27 PM
If you read Hayabusa forums, you will notice that the sprocket carrier bearing is even bigger problem in busas than in 14:s. And Hayabusa is using the same bearing as GSX 1400.
Also from Hayabusa forums you can find instructions how to fit bigger and stronger bearing to sprocket carrier. Next time I may try that modification.

Thanks. That's interesting. I will have a read up if its a bigger problem with Busa's.  I've had a few Busa's, toured, drags etc, current one has had over 10 years of abuse,  Its not a problem I'm personally familiar with. Bit strange that some folk have drama's and others, irrelevant of use or mileage are fine. 

Maybe I've just been lucky so far.

Title: Re: rear sprocket bearing failed today
Post by: T 24 on Sunday, 14 May 2017, 03:19 PM
I think there are two main groups with that bearing problem: Those who overtigt their chains, and those who use their bikes with "hard hand".
In Hayabusa forums those who have mostly problems with that bearing have turbo in their bike. So, they have power and they use it!
Title: Re: rear sprocket bearing failed today
Post by: grog on Sunday, 14 May 2017, 05:33 PM
Saggy, i was no way suggesting youre an idiot. just relaying info i was told. how you fit a bigger bearing, interested to see. was a bloke on old forum, found a way to fit extra seal, cant remember how.
Title: Re: rear sprocket bearing failed today
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Sunday, 14 May 2017, 05:46 PM
If there's an upgrade for turbo Busa's,
bigger / different / stronger bearing? Extra seal?
it should be pretty bullet proof on stock Gsx1400's.
Title: Re: rear sprocket bearing failed today
Post by: saggy0000 on Monday, 15 May 2017, 04:52 AM
hi,koyo said about the k4 bearings,and i quote the amount of greese fited to the bearing was causing the overheating,and fail of the bearing,they sorted the problem in november 2004,so if like i have a 14 k4 maufacture date 14/05/04, to november same year,you may have this problem,but how many they fitted to 14s,or other bikes in that 6 months is debatable,unless someone on here knows different? :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:
Title: Re: rear sprocket bearing failed today
Post by: Andre on Monday, 22 May 2017, 07:25 PM
Just took out the original KOYO bearing on my K2 (45k). It only has one seal. The little grease left in it is rusty and when turning the bearing it crunches. Will be replaced with a two-seal bearing.

Supposedly, the bike has been driven only in dry weather. Maybe pressure cleaned? Anyway, 45k is not to bad.
Title: Re: rear sprocket bearing failed today
Post by: grog on Monday, 22 May 2017, 07:32 PM
Andre, correct. just fit a double seal, problem solved.
Title: Re: rear sprocket bearing failed today
Post by: spizzoil on Tuesday, 23 May 2017, 03:45 AM
fitted one on sat and went the full sealed bearing have to say that nothing wrong with the old oem one but mine is a k6 so some of the older models seem to have had problems so full sealed koyo bearing in place 21000
Title: Re: rear sprocket bearing failed today
Post by: Notty on Tuesday, 23 May 2017, 04:10 AM
Quote from: spizzoil on Tuesday, 23 May  2017, 03:45 AM
fitted one on sat and went the full sealed bearing have to say that nothing wrong with the old oem one but mine is a k6 so some of the older models seem to have had problems so full sealed koyo bearing in place 21000
Did you polish it before you put it in ? Lol  :smile2:
Title: Re: rear sprocket bearing failed today
Post by: spizzoil on Tuesday, 23 May 2017, 07:25 AM
no must say I gave it a miss but did cross my mind :hat: