Is my wheel bearing about to grenade at 3700 miles?!

[Stephen.G.Fiddes]

Are you sure it's the front wheel? I had similar symptoms last year. The squeaking noise apparently coming from the front end seeming to be in rhythm with the wheels spinning. I was dead certain it was either the brakes or something rubbing on the front end. It was not. It was the rear wheel bearing going south. The squeaking noise would get louder as I accelerated, and quieter as I got off the throttle. At times it seemed to disappear completely. Then...
...riding up PCH on a mellow day trip to Santa Barbara from Van Nuys to have lunch on my 2009 C-14 with 19.5K on it. Just before Summerland I start hearing "CLUNK CLUNK CLACK CLUNKITY." Coming from somewhere, and I think I feel a slight vibration. So many tar strips, rough section, don't know if it's me or the road. I pull off the next off ramp. Yes, it's me. Very slight vibration and an oh-so-faint wobble. Drive up and down the side road. Stop, get off check all over. Looking for something rubbing or hanging off, because that's what it felt/sounded like. Nothing. No smell. Limp it into town, CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK. Call a tow truck. Find a local dealer. Have lunch. Mechanic at the dealer thinks it is coming from the rear end. Says it's serious. Take the train home.
A few days later, phone call. The rear wheel bearing has failed. Fortunately, covered under warranty. Picked it up yesterday. Several balls in the bearing are completely missing. Rubber seal messed up.
As to the probable cause... The dealer suspected that when I had the rear tire changed because of a flat a few months earlier, the tech had over torqued the rear wheel axle. The tire was replaced at a Honda shop that was not an authorized Kawasaki dealer. The Kawi mechanic said the Concours is the most sensitive bike on the road to torque specs. Just a little bit off either way, especially on the axles, and you can have problems. That could be a bit of a stretch, but something caused the rear bearing to fail. Either that, or Kawasaki is using some very substandard bearings.
So even though it sounds like it's coming from the front end, it may very well be coming from the rear. And there's no cure except to replace the bearing. My rear bearing looked about as bad as Kwikasfuki's. It was completely covered by the warranty, BTW. And there's no such thing as an idiot charge.

Well now that brings up an interesting point... Ill be changing the tires this weekend so I'll be fully inspecting both front and rear bearings. But I did notice a slight clunk when I was washing my bike last week... Something I was going to check when i change the tires.

[MAN OF BLUES]

The dealer suspected that when I had the rear tire changed because of a flat a few months earlier, the tech had over torqued the rear wheel axle. The tire was replaced at a Honda shop that was not an authorized Kawasaki dealer. The Kawi mechanic said the Concours is the most sensitive bike on the road to torque specs. Just a little bit off either way, especially on the axles, and you can have problems.

that "dealer" hasn't a clue.
total bull-hockey.

when you tighten either the front or rear axle, WITH ALL THE PARTS CORRECTLY INSTALLED, it's virtually impossible to "damage the bearing" by over torqueing it.
The internal and external spacer stackup, and the axle, compress against the center race of the bearing, once that's solid, it can't get "any more solid", and you surely aren't gonna compress those spacers with a hand held wrench.
If someone were to compress the assembly WITHOUT one of those spacers, then yes, it COULD damage a bearing, and that is likely the cause... and when the "technician" noticed the spacer laying on the floor, he installed it and zipped his lipz.... nobody saw him, he can lie all he wants.

just my opinion.

or, the bearing was bad from the start.

[Spikey01]

You are probably right about the axle nut torque. I never liked that explanation either. I used to yank the wheels on and off my C-10, and I didn't even own a torque wrench. But then, that bike went 100k without having ANY bearing failures. My rear failed at 19k, Stephen's (maybe) at 4k... Is Kawasaki using lower-quality bearings now?
It also doesn't ring true that the C-14 is extremely sensitive to torque specs.
I tend to agree with you about a sloppy tech - although I have been going to that Honda dealer since 1986 and they do impeccable work (usually)...
Here's a pic of the culprit...

[Stephen.G.Fiddes]

You are probably right about the axle nut torque. I never liked that explanation either. I used to yank the wheels on and off my C-10, and I didn't even own a torque wrench. But then, that bike went 100k without having ANY bearing failures. My rear failed at 19k, Stephen's (maybe) at 4k... Is Kawasaki using lower-quality bearings now?
It also doesn't ring true that the C-14 is extremely sensitive to torque specs.
I tend to agree with you about a sloppy tech - although I have been going to that Honda dealer since 1986 and they do impeccable work (usually)...
Here's a pic of the culprit...

Ehh, the C14 seems more sensatice to other bikes in the bolt torque department... Much more advanced than any other bike ive owned tho.

That bearing looks like my old skateboard bearings would after the abuse I put them through lol.

Now if only UPS would hurry up with my box, I can get a final answer for you guys!

[VirginiaJim]

I've never torqued the rear axle that I can recall, or the front one for that matter.  Haven't had any issues yet, but there's always tomorrow...

"Annie" (1982) - Tomorrow

[VirginiaJim]

Stephen, any resolution to that squeak?

[Stephen.G.Fiddes]

Nope. Its not there anymore tho. Im assuming it was just something with the brakes at this point.

I now have 8500 on her i think. (Not sure on exact number, havent seen her in two weeks due to army)

[gPink]

Nope. Its not there anymore tho. Im assuming it was just something with the brakes at this point.

I now have 8500 on her i think. (Not sure on exact number, havent seen her in two weeks due to army)

You've been invaded? Why do I miss the good stuff?

[stevewfl]

my wheel bearings got replaced at 85,000 miles.  they didn;t need replacing, but I figured as many times as they've been under water and through the desert dust, perhaps it couldn't hurt 

[connie14boy]

my wheel bearings got replaced at 85,000 miles.  they didn;t need replacing, but I figured as many times as they've been under water..


Did your bike come with a propeller?

[Cold Streak]

KIPASS!  Don't need no steenking propeller.