125-200cc Linkage bearings - seals

Linkage and swing arm bearings
Is it a necessity to change the seals and shafts etc when you change bearings ?
I am not sure whether to buy the bearings or the whole kit - eg Moose or Motorsportz
Any experience with these kits ? and are the bearings as good as original German bearings?

I guess its the best thing to do but will take longer to get and more expensive.

Anyone who hasnt checked their and greased their bearings for a year or so should do so -mine were all siezed

If your bearings are gone, I'd definitely replace the seals too. Just use your best judgement on the shafts. If they're worn or rusted replace them too.

The original german bearings are better, but the kit price can be very attractive and has its merits. The tolerances of the far-east bearings are usually decent but the metallurgy isn't up to Japanese or german standards. You must replace the shafts that run on the bearings, it actually acts as the inner bearing race on a needle bearing setup. If the bearings are seized/rusty, the shafts are always corroded/brinelled/false brinelled anyway so do the whole deal and use a good waterproof grease like BelRay, all greases AREN'T waterproof. and of course seals also.

Thanks guys - I guess I better get the kits
I suppose I better check the steering head as well -
(That Belray grease is hard to find )

I use Lucas Red "n" Tacky grease.

Test your grease with a dab in your palm and add water and stir. Non-waterproof grease will become an emulsified mess. Waterproof grease will remain separate from the water. But you'll still have a mess so have a few paper towels nearby before trying this!! I stopped using Silkolene grease (I love their oils) by doing this test.

Mobil XHP 222 ought to be a very good grease for that type of application. I use Mobil EP 2, which is also a good product, although not quite as nice as the XHP. We use EP2 as the standard lubricant for high-precision linear bearings in machine tool applications, so it's good quality stuff. I have not done Marc's water-resistance test, though. Mobil does claim that both are water resistant, but I don't know specifically what that implies.

Both of these can be purchased from McMaster for only about 5 bucks a tube. In my opinion these are probably as good or better than the moto/auto specialty stuff, and cheaper too.

Old thread for the '09 WR125...

I did not re-read the thread but I do remember the aftermarket kit bearings not being up to par with the stock. But if you go in often and regrease they should be ok.
It's one of those pay me now or pay me later things...labor every now and then to regrease or labor and parts if you wait too long.

Good luck!

http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/linkage-kit.18475/#post-161129