KZ200 Wheel Bearing repack question

I have a 1978 Kawasaki KZ200.  Second owner, bought in new condition in 1992.

I have never repacked the grease in the wheel bearings.   I have the rear wheel off now, with intent to change the aged tire, and, wonder if it is worth the risk of asking the mechanic to repack the wheel bearings?   I have about 5500 miles on it, and, only once ever got caught in rain.   The packing looks OK to me as it is, but, I am not an expert either.   

I ride probably 500 miles a year.   At most.  

Any thoughts would be appreciated.  

thanks.  

You can never have too much lube. 

Let's see here, bike is a 1978 model that you purchased in 1992.  You have it apart to put a tire on and those bearings are what, 43 years old?  It's just me, but I would put new bearings in it, not just pack the old ones.  Now is the time to do this and fresh wheel bearings aren't all that expensive and are good insurance.  Make this simple and install new bearings.  You will feel better too.

Rick H.

The stock Japanese bearings are very high grade. Better than what comes in the common All Balls aftermarket kits available today.  If you put the axle through the wheel and spin it does the wheel spin free and smooth?  Best way to test is to hold the axle in your hands.  If the answer is yes than I'd leave the wheel bearings alone. If no, and you can get at the bearings easily, I'd repack them after a good wash down to remove the old grease.  Getting the bearings properly cleaned out is the hard part.  You may have to remove a seal to get access.  As for what grease, use some general purpose grease like marine grease because it's water proof.  Good stuff.

If you are taking the wheel off yourself, you can inspect the bearings and repack or replace as necessary, though Rick makes a good point. If the shop is doing the work, make sure the shop uses high quality bearings.

I don't trust cycle shops to always do the right thing.  Some are real good, others not so much.
Something like the wheel bearings, I'd rather do it myself.  whether just inspecting them or replacing.

Nessism,

Thanks for your feedback.   I pulled both wheels and ran the test for free rotation in my hands.   Both wheels rotated easily and remained rotating quietly for quite a while.   I looked at the grease and honestly it still looks good.   The bike has 5500 miles on it.

So, I left the bearings alone.

Another factor was, on the read tire, some of the bearings are inside the drum brake housing making them difficult to replace.

At any rate, I put, at most, 500 miles a year on it.   Should be OK.   

thank you.

I followed Nessism's procedure for test and left the bearings alone.  

I appreciate your post.  

Well maybe you will replace them when they are 86 years old.  Wheel bearings really aren't all that difficult to replace and piece of mind is worth the price of admission as long as you use high quality replacement parts.  Historically, wheel bearings and drive chains are some of the most neglected parts of a motorcycle.  Without a complete disassembly of the bearings, including cleaning them and repacking you just don't know if they are in top notch condition.  On my every day bikes I replace the bearings every other tire change just to be safe.  However I have been accused of being anal when it comes to things meant to keep me off the pavement.  Each to their own.

Rick H.

wrote:

Well maybe you will replace them when they are 86 years old.  Wheel bearings really aren't all that difficult to replace and piece of mind is worth the price of admission as long as you use high quality replacement parts.  Historically, wheel bearings and drive chains are some of the most neglected parts of a motorcycle.  Without a complete disassembly of the bearings, including cleaning them and repacking you just don't know if they are in top notch condition.  On my every day bikes I replace the bearings every other tire change just to be safe.  However I have been accused of being anal when it comes to things meant to keep me off the pavement.  Each to their own.

Rick H.

You risk damage to the hubs by driving out the bearings that often.  If the bearings are running smooth there is no reason to mess with them.  Especially if using the high quality Japanese bearings like when the bike was new.

If I read correctly the bike has less than 6,000 miles on it.  If that's true there is no reason to replace the wheel bearings as they will last far longer  than that little mileage.  Ed

Thank you.

I chose not to replace the bearings on front or back.   The wheels rotated easily and freely without any sound.

thanks for the feedback.