BikerRon wrote:


That failed bearing looked starved for oil.

Studying the lubrication charts for the Road Star shows no forced oil into the bearing area and centrifugal forces would sling what little oil that manages to drizzle its way.

I would think constant clutch applications in slow/stopped traffic would give it a workout and clutch cables not checked for some free play would play havoc to giving that bearing any reprieve when it would be constantly spinning with some load on it.

I don't know about you guys but I kick my bike into neutral as I approach every stop light. Only while in a long line of slowly moving stacked up or stopped traffic will I use the clutch between forward movement sessions.

NickJFerro wrote:
Foot clutch has a stop too. My foot can't push down past the floorboard. The travel is the same as it was when it was hand operated. Good question though. NickJFerro, Do you find you rest your foot on the clutch as you are riding? This could be a reason for your bearing failure. I have considered this mod due to arthritis in my left hand making it hard to use the hand clutch. Input would be useful in my plans. Thanks, littlebull

Littlebull wrote:
NickJFerro wrote:
Foot clutch has a stop too. My foot can't push down past the floorboard. The travel is the same as it was when it was hand operated. Good question though. NickJFerro, Do you find you rest your foot on the clutch as you are riding? This could be a reason for your bearing failure. I have considered this mod due to arthritis in my left hand making it hard to use the hand clutch. Input would be useful in my plans. Thanks, littlebull

There's this.

http://roadstarclinic.com/component/option,com_fireboard/Itemid,187/func,view/catid,49/id,751311/

Hey guys, sorry for the massive delay but I finally got over there to check it out and jaybo beat me to it! Here's the shots of mine with the exact same problem, but the bearing looks to be in far better shape, which I believe can be a testament to the fact that it doesn't appear to be a starved for oil problem but rather an issue with a ball bearing used in a side load application.











Additionally, I can confirm that my plates were installed correctly as I put them in myself, so as to whether or not this bearing failure was caused by misaligned clutch plates, I'd wager it's not related. My clutch plate was put in last summer and the bike has seen roughly 10K miles in that time so it didn't last long.

I've already written to barnett about the problem, can these bearings even be replaced or does the whole pressure plate need to be replaced? If they don't cover the cost of the replacement given the short lifespan, I'll never buy another barnett clutch part again.

I guess it's just a waiting game for now.

Littlebull wrote:
NickJFerro wrote:
Foot clutch has a stop too. My foot can't push down past the floorboard. The travel is the same as it was when it was hand operated. Good question though. NickJFerro, Do you find you rest your foot on the clutch as you are riding? This could be a reason for your bearing failure. I have considered this mod due to arthritis in my left hand making it hard to use the hand clutch. Input would be useful in my plans. Thanks, littlebull

Sorry I missed this. To answer your question though, I never rest my foot on the clutch while riding. There's no reason to. I've got a gigantic floorboard to rest my foot on. Resting it on the clutch lever would actually be less comfortable.

If your hand is hurting, you should do this mod. I cannot recommend it enough. I've never had to worry about sitting in traffic (though to be fair I'm always in neutral anyways) or whether or not my clutch is hard to pull etc. It's super comfortable and slapping that shifter as you bang your way through the gears is the most fun action you'll ever do on a motorcycle. Try it.

For the price they charge it seems that Barnett would know that a regular ball bearing isn't designed for side loads like that.

If it's the same size as the stock bearing then maybe you could substitute it for the 7003B I mentioned earlier. They make the angular contact bearings in different sizes so if yours isn't the same as stock maybe you could find the size that fits.

texasscott1 wrote:
For the price they charge it seems that Barnett would know that a regular ball bearing isn't designed for side loads like that.

If it's the same size as the stock bearing then maybe you could substitute it for the 7003B I mentioned earlier. They make the angular contact bearings in different sizes so if yours isn't the same as stock maybe you could find the size that fits.

That would be a nice retrofit. if you go that route and it works let us all know what the exact bearing number it was to fit the Barnett.

Spoke with barnett via email. They offered for me to send it to them to be repaired or replaced, and also mentioned that it's the same bearing as stock if I wanted to replace it myself.

Will have to confirm as to whether or not they'll cover the cost if I do the repair myself.

I guess this means I should order this part and see how it goes. Can someone confirm that this is the right bearing and also which side should point out?

https://www.amazon.com/Bearing-Angular-17x35x10-Bearings-VXB/dp/B002UEFJ1Y

I contacted VXB and was told they do not have any tech support, they are strictly distributors.

If you look at the two races you'll see raised portions of the races. Those raised portions need to press against the bearings when the load is applied.

A better supplier probably has instructions.

texasscott1 wrote:
I contacted VXB and was told they do not have any tech support, they are strictly distributors.

If you look at the two races you'll see raised portions of the races. Those raised portions need to press against the bearings when the load is applied.

A better supplier probably has instructions.

+1 The view with the numbers showing should face the outside opposite the applied load.