wheel bearing install - bearings don't roll

[mmaurin]

im at a loss
i bought bearings from z1... AB25-1147 for a 1978 GS750C
i followed the suzuki_don pdf on bikecliff's site and pulled the front wheel bearings no problem (harbor freight blind bearing puller)... i was pretty stoked... i didnt see seals, so i didnt install the seals that came with the new bearings
i froze the bearings overnight and pressed them back in using the methods in the pdf - half inch bolt pulling a simpson strong tie 2" square plate on one side and some washers to fit on the other... i thought i was done but there was play in the spacer so, following the pdf, i tightened it a little more. then i reinstalled the wheel... and it wouldnt roll.
i took the wheel off and put my finger in the inner race and they dont spin like they did before i pressed them in...
ive included pictures of the lame bearings in, just in case something looks funny to you guys. is it possible to tighten too much and squeeze the spacer? there is a lip on the disk side, which unfortunately i dont remember noticing before i pulled the old ones... i am confident i got the non-disk side correct... and the spacer doesnt have any play.. so i thought i was good...

any ideas?

 

[allojohn]

There should be a little play in the spacer so you need to pull one of the bearing out a bit (without damaging it).

Also, the 78 C had cast wheels so maybe the bearings are wrong.

Edit: just checked it's the same bearing for both models.

 

[salty_monk]

The 78 C had spoke wheels & the bearings are the same....

Options..
1. Pull one of the bearings out a tiny bit as suggested above.
2. Pull one bearing out completely & file a little bit (20 thou or so might be all it takes) off the end of the wheel spacer allowing you to press the bearing all the way home without binding.

 

[allojohn]

Pull one bearing out completely & file a little bit (20 thou or so might be all it takes) off the end of the wheel spacer allowing you to press the bearing all the way home without binding.

Nice trick Salty, next time around I'm going to use that one.

 

[mmaurin]

can i use the blind bearing puller with one hit on the slide hammer? how much ruins the bearing?
and which side do i pull out just a smidge?

 

[allojohn]

can i use the blind bearing puller with one hit on the slide hammer? how much ruins the bearing?
and which side do i pull out just a smidge?

Yes, one light hit. You probably won't know if you've damaged them. I did the same with mine, haven't heard/felt a problem yet (1,000 miles) but I'm checking frequently. I think you want to pull the side without the speedo link.

 

[mmaurin]

thanks guys... if i have a problem with the bearings (hear ANYTHING) then ill take em out and put in new ones (a cheap fix...)
then ill file the spacer .020 and see if that solves my problem...

 

[chuck hahn]

They fully seated all the way around and not slightly ascue in the recesses???

 

[salty_monk]

I've seen this a few times with the all balls bearings. I'm guessing the centre of the bearing is just a smidge thicker than the stock ones, maybe because they are double sealed perhaps...