Axles, Bearings, Seals & Spacers
About Axles, Bearings, Seals & Spacers
Wheel bearings let each wheel turn freely on its axle while carrying the weight of the bike, the load from braking and every bump in the road. When one wears out, the usual signs are a hum or growl that changes with speed, a rough or notchy feel when you spin the wheel by hand, and side-to-side play at the rim. Riders shop this category to replace worn bearings and seals, to restore a missing spacer after a wheel change, or to fit a new axle on a custom build.
Bearing kits are listed by model and by position, so check whether a listing is for the front wheel, the rear, or both. Seals keep water and dirt out of the bearings, so it makes sense to renew them together; read the listing to see what a kit includes. Spacers keep the bearings and the wheel in the right position when the axle is tightened, and their length is specific to the model. Axle kits, such as the chrome rear axles listed for Softail models, are matched to model and year. Tighten the axle to the value in your service manual.
Brands here include Excel, Colony, Covingtons, Jims, Drag Specialties and All Balls. Pick your bike in the Ride Finder at the top of the page so the kits and axles shown are made for it. A wheel job often touches the neighboring categories too: Wheel Hubs, Wheels & Rims and Tires, all inside Wheels, Tires & Parts.
FAQs on motorcycle axles and wheel bearings
How can I tell if a motorcycle wheel bearing is worn?
Support the bike so the wheel is off the ground, spin it by hand and feel for roughness or notchiness, then rock the wheel side to side to check for play. A hum or growl that rises with speed is another sign. Your service manual gives the acceptable limits for your model.
Should wheel seals be replaced along with the bearings?
Yes, that is the usual practice. Wheel seals keep water and grit out of the bearings, and an old seal that is hardened or damaged lets contamination in and shortens the life of new bearings. Check the listing to see whether the kit includes seals or sells them separately.
What does a wheel spacer do on a motorcycle?
A wheel spacer sets the position of the wheel and the bearings between the fork legs or swingarm and stops the bearings from being squeezed when the axle nut is tightened. A wrong or missing spacer can cause misalignment or bearing damage, so use the one listed for your model.
Do the front and rear wheels use the same bearings?
Not always. Some models use matching bearings on both wheels, but many use different sizes or a different number of bearings per wheel. Listings are marked front, rear or front and rear, so match the position and your exact model and year.
When does a motorcycle axle need replacing?
Replace an axle that is bent, has damaged threads or a worn bearing surface. You can check straightness by rolling it on a flat surface. Some riders also swap to a chrome or black axle for looks; make sure it matches the model and year so the wheel and spacers fit.
