Non-dealer source for swingarm bearings?

[3moskvichi]

Anybody know of a source for bearings? I love supporting my dealer, but I'm starting to need a little support of my own. They want $60 each for swingarm bearings (40mm x 40mm x 17mm). Anybody know where to get them more reasonably?

[20774]

This may help:

http://www.largiader.com/parts/crossref.html

Anton's bearing cross reference...down near the bottom.

[47512]

Try World bearing, they are standard tapered roller bearings, nothing special.

Ken G.

[shire2000]

Had same problem with wheel bearings for a snowflake.
BMW Dealer = $55.60 each
BC Bearing Supply = $22.80 each.

Both are identical.
Me thinks someone is fleecing the public.

[robsryder]

I would think that any capable bearing distributor would be able to measure the old bearing and find a fit. I have a company that goes by Columbus Bearing Distributors located fairly close by. They are part of a larger company -
http://www.bdi-usa.com/

I've used them a number of times for bearings at a much reduced cost.

[vanzen]

I would think that any capable bearing distributor would be able to measure the old bearing and find a fit...

In fact, the #s necessary to find a generic replacement should be stamped right onto the bearing itself –

[3moskvichi]

I can't find World Bearing, nor BC bearing Supply. Can you give me more specific contact info, or other sources? I haven't had any luck online

[shire2000]

Check the yellow pages for your area, or closest big city. Look up bearing suppliers. You should be able to find some suppliers there. Take the bearing to them and they should be able to help you out. As has been said, almost all bearings have numbers stamped into them that will allow the supplier to cross reference.

[shire2000]

Just did a quick and dirty internet search and found :

Tek Bearing Division Kaman Bearing & Supply Corporation
2120 Windsor Dr
Salisbury, MD 21801
(410) 742-9424

don't know the company or anything, but they were at the top of the list.

It is amazing what you can find on the web.

[83014]

I went to a local bearing supplier today. They did not have the replacement, although they are mostly industrial and not automotive. They called the original manufacturer for me. It came back described as an obsolete OEM part. Mine is stamped FAG, part # 540619. My swingarm is at the powdercoater, so I didn't have it to try any alternative bearing setup. It's the extension that makes this different from available stock bearings. If anyone haas been successful with another setup, I'd like to know. The bike is a 1984 R100RS.

[20774]

A link provided above showed the extension to be NF. I believe another common designation for it might be SKF 32203. The earlier swingarm bearings were SKF 30203 but the newer ones are deeper and have a seal. Some feel the seal is not useful and end up removing it or puncturing it so it can be lubed more easily.

[hairsmith]

http://www.capitalcycle.com/

http://www.capitalcycle.com/catalog/body_html/catalog.html

33 17 1 242 618 Swingarm Bearing all 1981-on and “K” 29.64

[tvrla]

Here's what Snowbum wrote on the matter:

Swing arm bearings are 30203A, 17 x 40 x 12 mm; and are basically the same as MOST of the pre-1985 wheel bearings, which are 30203. The difference is sealed versus unsealed. Frankly, I like them UNsealed, at both places. Every few years I remove the entire rear end, and hand clean those bearings. If I am working on a bike and find sealed ones, I puncture the seal, or otherwise remove or disable it, so I can get proper greasing in the future from the 6 mm allen adjuster hole.

[3moskvichi]

Yes, I'd seen Snowbum's info, but I thought it didn't apply to my 88, since the dimensions I have for mine are 40x17x17, and he's talking about pre-85 being 40x17x12. I wish it were that easy...

[35303]

Try an auto parts store.

[tvrla]

Sorry about that, somehow I saw 78, not 88 when seeing what year you had.