2017 Tri Lost wheel bearings.

[hddocfl]

Wheel bearings toast with just 36000 miles on the Tri, All fixed under warranty, I hope the new set lasts longer.

 

[rhino 2]

Wheel bearings toast with just 36000 miles on the Tri, All fixed under warranty, I hope the new set lasts longer.

What was the lead up to the Bearing going south....

Did they find it when getting a new tire...?

 

[trikermutha]

Was it the front wheel bearings?

Once they went to the sealed bearings they don't seem to last as long as the cone bearings from the earlier models.

 

[Yoda]

While I do not own this Trike I am watching this post with great interest because my wife and I are considering looking at them.

Another reason I am drawn to this post is back in the 60’s my uncle used to buy old Chicago Police Trikes and he also had the front wheel bearings fail while he was riding on the expressway. It has made me pay more attention to front bearing issues. Granted progress has been made but it still raises a red flag for me.

Jason

 

[Jack Klarich]

IMO the trouble started with Chinese vendors

What ever happened to USA made bearings

I have had NEW bearings fail @ an alarming rate

Most all were import brands

I get the global economy and the bean counters@HD trying to cut costs

 

[rhino 2]

With the limited info the OP has given, Why all the speculation? Its the Chinese , Its the seald bearings, Its the bean counters, Maybe i won't buy a Tri. I think its the Russians causing the bearing to go bad...:laugh:

 

[1dn5up]

I pop the plastic so called seal off one end , and repack them with nice sticky waterproof grease every front tire change. Never use a powerwasher to blast the front wheel at the front spindle. its not a waterproof bearing.

 

[Jack Klarich]

With the limited info the OP has given, Why all the speculation? Its the Chinese , Its the seald bearings, Its the bean counters, Maybe i won't buy a Tri. I think its the Russians causing the bearing to go bad...:laugh:

Bob, you are right in most of this post

How ever, most all bearings are now in fact made in China

Not sayin this is a real bad move

I just like USA made bearings, having worked in and around this industry most of my adult life

I have seen a down turn in quality control

Take a look next time at bearings and seals

I have never liked a sealed bearing, the cheap dust shield IMO does NOT protect the bearing

I bet it says on the package made in so and so packaged in USA

 

[Jack Klarich]

I pop the plastic so called seal off one end , and repack them with nice sticky waterproof grease every front tire change. Never use a powerwasher to blast the front wheel at the front spindle. its not a waterproof bearing.

This is a must read IMO

The thin shield will not hold out much water

If you look close at that bearing, it is VERY similar (constructed and the dust shield) to a GM alternator bearing

When I was rebuilding alternators with my dad we had a local source for those USA made bearings

As the reman market dwindled due to cheaper costs in on stock remans we could no longer get the bearings

Again, the over seas bearings, seals and other parts are just to darn cheapo

American manufacturers cannot compete

Even ALL Balls can no longer say they are USA made any more Just My 02 cents here

 

[peteg59]

Unfortunately for the consumer, manufacturers in general always go to the lowest cost provider for components they use. There are are exceptions, however they are few & far between. Stock prices & company profits are #1 concerns for most companies/corporations, while quality comes in a distant second.

This is fact, and unless something changes here to lower costs of sourced parts as well as labor, energy, property taxes, etc., etc., the foreigners will continue to "eat our lunch" while most times providing poor quality goods.

On projects that I have final quality control over, I'm all about using American made parts vs off shore. Sadly at times, there is no longer an American company making the specific part needed...

 

[vito]

Wheel bearings toast with just 36000 miles on the Tri, All fixed under warranty, I hope the new set lasts longer.

If you take the old bearings to a jobber - a parts dealer that serves auto repair shops - you will find the same generic bearing for a fraction of the cost. Generic front wheel bearings for my 1990 FLHTC used to cost about $5 a decade ago. That was so cheap that I changed them whenever I changed a front tire and kept a set in the garage just in case. As others noted, Chink bearings are not as good but you might find US made. Good luck.

 

[MikeyTX]

While I do not own this Trike I am watching this post with great interest because my wife and I are considering looking at them.

Another reason I am drawn to this post is back in the 60’s my uncle used to buy old Chicago Police Trikes and he also had the front wheel bearings fail while he was riding on the expressway. It has made me pay more attention to front bearing issues. Granted progress has been made but it still raises a red flag for me.

Jason

Geeze .......... They rode those things year round. What with all the slush after the city would salt the streets I'm not surprised. The H-D Servi-Car : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harley-Davidson_Servi-Car

 

[rhino 2]

Geeze .......... They rode those things year round. What with all the slush after the city would salt the streets I'm not surprised. The H-D Servi-Car : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harley-Davidson_Servi-Car

I agree Mike.... And I'm really trying to bite my lip, Before i say/type something i'll get flack for....:gah:

 

[Yoda]

Geeze .......... They rode those things year round. What with all the slush after the city would salt the streets I'm not surprised. The H-D Servi-Car : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harley-Davidson_Servi-Car

Yes being I was a Southsider I remember the winter of 1967 specifically. That was a pretty deep snow year. The policeman riding the three wheeler Harley's were kind of amazing.

Jason

 

[MikeyTX]

Oh yeah. I and a buddy cut school to plow driveways.

 

[rhino 2]

Yes being I was a Southsider I remember the winter of 1967 specifically. That was a pretty deep snow year. The policeman riding the three wheeler Harley's were kind of amazing.

Jason

I remember the winter of 67 also, The temps were in the 90+ range and 100% humidity, Also heavy rains for a month or so....

 

[hddocfl]

Sorry For Late getting Back Here,

I had 3600 miles on the Tri not 36000. I never use a power washer and have only had water on the Tri 3 times. I heard the bearing going south on my way home even with the radio on , Could feel it in the bars also and floorboards. Just made it to the dealers in time about a 10 mile ride from the time I heard and felt it. Dealer was very good at getting it back to me on Christmas week end had it back wed after Christmas.

 

[MikeyTX]

Now that's even worse.

 

[DK Custom Products]

I had 3600 miles on the Tri not 36000. I never use a power washer and have only had water on the Tri 3 times. I heard the bearing going south on my way home even with the radio on , Could feel it in the bars also and floorboards. Just made it to the dealers in time about a 10 mile ride from the time I heard and felt it. Dealer was very good at getting it back to me on Christmas week end had it back wed after Christmas.

Good to hear they took care of your quickly.

3600 miles...wow. Seems obvious it was out of spec from the get go, just took a few miles for it to grenade.

Fortunately, that does not happen that frequently.

Since HD went to non-serviceable bearings I check them every tire change. In several hundred thousand miles of riding with these new bearings I've only ever felt the need to replace one pair.

I personally don't miss having to repack the bearings every tire change.

Kevin

 

[DamnYankee]

A while back I stopped at a local auto parts dealer and asked if they stocked Timken bearings. Pulled a set that would fit the front wheel right off the shelf. "Made in China".

I asked if he knew of any US made bearings. With a laugh, he told me no. He also suggested packing the bearings after popping out the dust shield before they even installed.

 

[MikeyTX]

Why am I not surprised. Hell, even the wheel bearings in a Volvo semi that they tout as being made in the USA (the semi cab) are foreign sourced. I've asked the parts peeps where I work.

 

[DK Custom Products]

btw, on the subject of USA made.

We manufacture over 700 parts in the USA, with USA Citizens doing the work.

Everything we can (metal, tools, etc.) we buy American Made, even though, most of the time, it costs more.

However, there are some items (LED's, etc.) that simply are not available from any company making them in the USA.

We have held this line from the day we started in business.

It is difficult, at times, to see companies in China (and elsewhere) that steal our patented designs, and then make our parts and sell them for less than the raw cost of USA steel to us. Sometimes they even use pictures of our Customers bikes to sell the knock-off parts they have made.

Fortunately there is a large segment of bikers that still want the real deal, made in the USA. But, over the years, we have seen a growing number of folks that will purchase based only on price, irrelevant of where it is made, and what material it is made with. This results in a shrinking number of companies that are willing/able to make parts in the USA, with USA made raw materials.

We are not planning on going anywhere, we will continue to make everything we can in the USA, with USA made materials. A full 25% of mine and Devins' time is spent in R&D for new products, so we will always have new products that the copy cat companies have not stolen yet.

BUT, we see big sections of the industry that are shrinking/dying off because of this issue (along with other issues). Just look at the bankruptcy of some of the biggest names in the V-Twin aftermarket.

Kevin

 

[Jack Klarich]

BUT, we see big sections of the industry that are shrinking/dying off because of this issue (along with other issues). Just look at the bankruptcy of some of the biggest names in the V-Twin aftermarket.

Kevin

This could be a BIG win OR a HUGE loss for the little guy IMO

Some one will have to step up to fill the void if this bankruptcy deal hits as hard as I see it going

I hope I am wrong time will tell

I also hope that y'all @ D K survive and continue to roll out new products:clapping:

 

[MDO]

With the limited info the OP has given, Why all the speculation? Its the Chinese , Its the seald bearings, Its the bean counters, Maybe i won't buy a Tri. I think its the Russians causing the bearing to go bad...:laugh:

So which is it, Chinese or Russians?

Also, can you buy American bearings of better quality?

 

[MikeyTX]

So which is it, Chinese or Russians?

Also, can you buy American bearings of better quality?

http://wheelbearingsinc.com/ I didn't research their entire line. They have bearings for automotive use.

 

[MDO]

http://wheelbearingsinc.com/ I didn't research their entire line. They have bearings for automotive use.

Thanks, but they don't sell to individuals.

 

[MikeyTX]

Have your local parts store order them.

 

[DK Custom Products]

BUT, we see big sections of the industry that are shrinking/dying off because of this issue (along with other issues). Just look at the bankruptcy of some of the biggest names in the V-Twin aftermarket.

Kevin

This could be a BIG win OR a HUGE loss for the little guy IMO

Some one will have to step up to fill the void if this bankruptcy deal hits as hard as I see it going

I hope I am wrong time will tell

I also hope that y'all @ D K survive and continue to roll out new products:clapping:

Yes, it will be interesting to see how it all shakes out with the BK's that so many of the MAG companies (19 of them) are in right now.

The meeting of creditors has been continued until Jan. 23, 2018. https://www.donlinrecano.com/Clients/vhc/Index

Unless we make a mistake of gargantuan size, we will be ok. We do not extend credit to anyone, nor do we have any debt.

We will continue to work on products that improve our, and our Customers, riding experience.

Kevin

 

[Texan]

I had 3600 miles on the Tri not 36000.......

Thank you... I was sitting here trying to figure out how anybody could get put 36,000 miles on a '17 Trike in basically a year much less not expect something like a bearing to maybe go south.

I've ridden in all 48 Continental, Canada and Mexico over a 5 year stint and bearly got over 36,000.

8~\o

 

[vito]

Thank you... I was sitting here trying to figure out how anybody could get put 36,000 miles on a '17 Trike in basically a year much less not expect something like a bearing to maybe go south. I've ridden in all 48 Continental, Canada and Mexico over a 5 year stint and bearly got over 36,000.8~\o

I put over 50,000 on my 1990 FLH in the first year. Had to ride 75 miles each way to work plus two coast-coast trips. So it's not impossible. I've got 5000 local miles on my 17 and I bought it 6 mo.s ago.