How many bearings at the rear wheel?

Went to the dealer, asked to find a price on the 3 rear wheel bearings, cause I was told that there were three. The guys goes on the internet, and tells me there is only on bearing. So which is it?1 or 3? I tend to believe the latter. And in the same breath, what else should I need to replace while working in that area? Seals, caps? I'm no mechanic, but don't really want to spend the big bucks at the dealer, if you know what I mean!

Thanks

I'll bet it was some wet behind the ears kid at the parts counter who's never heard of a KZ before, right? :S

Not to make the guy at the counter feel badly, but I would have asked for someone else who knew what he/she was doing to help me.
There ARE 3 bearings in the rear wheel (1x #601B6206 and 2X #601B6205Z or #601B6205ZZ) for your bike.
Basically, the single bearing is a #6206 and the other two are #6205Z (sealed on one side) or #6205ZZ (sealed on both sides). If you know of a bearing specialty shop near you, you'd be better off getting them there as they'll be quite a bit cheaper than at a Kawi dealership.
For future reference you can look up you own part numbers online, and it's the same basic parts diagrams that the Kawi dealerships use:
Kawasaki website

The next time you need a part you can go to the dealership armed with the exact part number you need, rather than waiting for some kid to tell you it doesn't even exist.

Post edited by: RetroRiceRocketRider, at: 2007/07/18 22:07

Three. Also, here is a link to the wheel bearing list located in the filebase:

Bearing List

Man you guys are great! One more question, when I buy the bearings, I'll have to buy the seals too right? What if I buy the sealed bearings?

I went without a seal on my 650 as I used the sealed bearings, and couldn't find a seal online. I suppose by rights you ought to replace the seal, it can't be more than 5-10 bucks. I recently had the rear wheel off to replace a chain and the bearings I could check were fine, after 15,000 miles.

Our wheel bearings are also used in the appliance industry, in fan motors. You might check an appliance shop with the bearing numbers in hand if you can't locate them on the net or a bearing house. I've never tried it but it can't hurt as a last resort.

Z1 Enterprises has them, and AllBalls Racing too.

One tip for new sealed bearings:
Carefully get a pick and remove the rubber seals. You should repack the bearings with good grease yourself. The seals are easily removed and installed again. All my new bearings had some thin clear grease that looked like vaseline. I can't imagine they would have held up very long. Other people have reported the same thing.

Finally went to my local bearing shop. Got everything I needed including seals for less than $50, not too expensive. Let the work begin!

OOOPS, make that under $25! Not too shaby!