Fixing the front wheel bearings on the 1991 Honda Nighthawk

The Front Wheel Bearing Was Fixed

I just never posted about it — been too busy riding! I ended up getting those stuck bearings taken care of on the Honda Nighthawk, and just haven’t posted about it (till now).

After heating the hub (instead of the wheel) I was able to finally use the Harbor Freight Blind Bearing Puller to remove the wheel bearings. No need to take it to the shop! I don’t know why I didn’t think of that before… anyways..

So I got the bearing out, lubed and cleaned it all up, and then I couldn’t get it back in. I ended up damaging one of the inner races on the bearings thinking that I could pound it in with an old bearing. My mistake! Thankfully, Bob Jo Cycle Co happens to have a lot of the things that I need in stock. I bought a replacement bearing and got back to work.

After coming to my senses, I bought a 32mm socket to seat the bearing “properly” — I sure wasn’t about to spend another $50 on a “bearing seater” when I could just use that, especially since all the pros on YouTube do it that way!

Getting the bearings seated and getting the wheel back on made it all seem like a quick job. If I had those tools in the first place, I would have been in much better shape! Oh well, next time!

I had my motorcycle up on jacks, which gave me plenty of space to work with.
The front wheel of my 1991 Honda Nighthawk with the bearing only halfway in (boy was I frustrated)
I used a 32mm (Craftsman) socket to seat my bearings, and it worked like a charm!
My motorcycle wheel bearings were seated in no time, using that 32mm socket.
Of course, the obligatory “it’s back together!” shot! You better believe I put a few miles on it afterwards!
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2 thoughts on “The Front Wheel Bearing Was Fixed”

  1. name

    Hey Charlie, Hope you’re well! 🙂 I need to get my 92 NH up on jack stands too. What’s your recipe? Can’t see placement so well in the pic. Is there a good pivot point to allow work both front and rear? Thanks for the tail light upgrade tip, getting right on that one!

    Reply
    June 27, 2015
    • Charlie

      Heya Paul. Sorry about the cell phone blurry pics. You know how messy hands get while wrenching!!

      For the jack stands, I start with the kickstand down, of course, then I put the first jack stand holder under the frame tube right by the oil drain bolt. Then I lean it over on the kickstand side, and put it down on top of the jack stand.

      Then I do the same thing on the other end, at the other side.

      I imagine if you weighted the front wheel down, it would lift up the back end. But I use the Harbor Freight motorcycle wheel lift for back end work.

      I’m upgrading my headlight next.

      …and eventually fork seals, haha.

      Reply
      June 29, 2015

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