1983 BMW R100RS Replace Wheel Bearings and Set Bearing Preload

This bike has 83,000+ miles on it and the wheel bearings are of unknown condition. So I replace them and set the wheel bearing preload. I also had the wheels powder coated after I removed the old bearings, so I had to also remove the disk brake rotors. I show how I remove, refinish and install the disk brake rotors in this document.

Of course, you can remove the wheel bearings without removing the disk brake rotors.

Here is a link to the documentation about how I do this work and to a video summary.

VIDEO: 1983 BMW R100RS Replace Wheel Bearings and Set Bearing Preload

And some pictures highlighting the work.

Wheel Bearing Parts, Left-to-Right: Dust/Grease Seals (Rear Right at Bottom); Top Hats; Wheel Bearings

Wheel Bearing Parts Left-to-Right (Right Rear at Bottom): Grease Seals ; Top Hats; Wheel Bearings

Cycle Works Swing Arm Bearing Puller Kit-Works On Wheel Bearings As Well

Cycle Works Swing Arm Bearing Puller Kit-Works On Wheel Bearings As Well

Rear Wheel Bearing Outer Race Removed

Rear Wheel Bearing Outer Race Removed

Rear Wheel Center Pipe With Plastic Sleeves On Each End

Rear Wheel Center Pipe With Plastic Sleeves On Each End

AFTER: Powder Coated Wheels in White

Powder Coated Wheels in White

Driving Outer Race To Proper Depth with Cycle Works Aluminum Rectangle From Swing Arm Bearing Race Tool

Driving Outer Race To Proper Depth with Cycle Works Aluminum Rectangle From Swing Arm Bearing Race Tool

String Evenly Wrapped Around Sleeve

String Evenly Wrapped Around Sleeve

Walking With Spring Scale To Measure Preload Force

Walking With Spring Scale To Measure Preload Force

Front Wheel Preload-Four 0.05 mm Shims and Sanded Wedding Band

Front Wheel Preload-Four 0.05 mm Shims and Sanded Wedding Band

Grease Seal and Top Hat Installed

Grease Seal and Top Hat Installed

Finished Wheels

Finished Wheels

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