This day in the garage started with an unexpected visitor. I found a tiny bird chick perched on a shelf, not quite ready to fly yet. So, I had a little feathered companion watching over today’s maintenance. 😄
🔧 What Happened?
Only about 500 kilometers after a full fork service, the front wheel bearing on my Kawasaki GTR 1400 (Concours 14) started showing symptoms. There was a bit of noise and play, so I figured it was time to pull the wheel and take a look. I replaced the bearings with NTN Bearings.
The replacement itself went pretty smoothly. The only minor issue was that I had to file down the punch tool a bit to stop it from slipping off the bearing. Sometimes it’s the small tweaks that make all the difference.
🧪 Test Ride & Thoughts
After the swap, I took the bike for a short test ride — everything felt solid and smooth again.
It did make me wonder though: was the bearing failure just a coincidence, or did the recent fork service somehow play a role? Torque settings, tension, something else? Who knows — but better safe than sorry.
🐤 Bonus: A Garage Buddy
That little bird stuck around most of the time while I worked. Still figuring out how wings work, but made some progress. Maybe it’s a future full-time garage mascot. 😊
📺 Video: Front Wheel Bearing Replacement – Live Tomorrow at 9:00 AM!
In the video, I replace the front wheel bearing shortly after the fork job — and you’ll also meet the surprise feathered guest. Check back once the video goes live! https://www.youtube.com/embed/0mdzEphQDbw
🔧 Related Maintenance Articles:
🛠 Kawasaki GTR 1400 – Fuel Injector Cleaning and Service: My Experience
Step-by-step breakdown of the service process, costs, and lessons learned.
🧪 Kawasaki GTR 1400 – Fuel Injector Cleaning After 1500 km: How Did It Help?
Real-world results and riding impressions after in-depth winter maintenance.
💬 Have You Experienced Something Similar?
Have you ever had a bearing give out just after a major service? Drop a comment and share your experience — or any tips!
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