jessejames82

Zone Head
Posts: 550
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posted December 08, 2007 04:45 PM
ceramic wheel bearings... any good
i ordered some today just curious if anyone has used them before with the 14.. and what were the results... any info would be great...
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Orient Express Rider
SuperSport ZX 14
6.000 8th mile
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Hawkman
Zone Head
Posts: 747
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posted December 08, 2007 10:01 PM
I've got them. I like 'em. Makes me want to get some braided brake lines now, though. Seems I have to pull on the lever a little more now. Once the bike get's rolling, it just wants to keep rolling.
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kimski2001

Expert Class
Posts: 144
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posted December 08, 2007 10:52 PM
wish i had asked before i wasted $400!spend the money in another area cause the difference you'll notice will be so miniscule.me and a buddy bought ours in 06,and he feels the same way i do.
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1st14injax
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swiftkart
Expert Class
Posts: 349
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posted December 09, 2007 05:36 AM
Edited By: swiftkart on 9 Dec 2007 05:37
Brock says there's a noticeable gain in acceleration and mph (1 to 4) in drag racing and top speed runs, for racing a big yes, for everyday riding maybe not worth the $400, I've used them in my 250 superkart for years, it rolls with hardly any effort at all, turns and accelerates a lot better with them also, I'm adding them to my 14 over the winter for drag racing, it doesn't roll all that good to me and should pickup a noticeable gain.
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2006 ZX14, Brock CT-Meg, PC, ignition module, E85, 214 lbs suited, 8.96@152.32 1.46 60'
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stevewfl

Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted December 09, 2007 09:53 AM
maybe do a search of this forum, if I recall there were some before/after quarter mile times that showed improved performance.
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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SteddyTeddy
Pro
Posts: 1664
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posted December 09, 2007 09:59 AM
Jessie I'm running them in my rear wheel. They do roll smoother but don't expect to see any real gains.
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kspz3

Expert Class
Posts: 334
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posted December 09, 2007 10:20 AM
I use them - they are very expensive and my best guess is very small gain - therefore - if you are racing and in the black hole of diminishing returns - where every little gain provides a very small improvement - but you have committed to whatever it takes to get there - and you currently are effectively pushing the very limits of performance - or have alot of unused cash - then they are worthwhile. For a street rider - they will feel the same - for a bracket racer no improvement. My best guess is .05 to .1 in the quarter - and maybe one mile per hour.... but I did not do systematic testing - and had multiple changes simulateously including lighter wheels and started running racing fuel. I have them in the catagory of 1/2 the advertised performance improvement - I also have MR9 and MR 10 in the same catagory - with MRox at no gain but alot maore money....... I was prepping for Bonneville and MAxton and therefore took the whatever it takes set-up journey..... for the street rider it is just getting rid of cash as the net improvement will not come into play.
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jdrill04
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Posts: 238
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posted December 09, 2007 02:02 PM
jesse i just installed them about a week ago when i put on the mcintosh swingarm. i went to the track fridaynight. i spun everytime i tried to leave real hard so i cant realy tell you right now. as soon as i get to make a good run i will let you know. i did notice when installing them that them that the tire seems to roll a lot easier.
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Phantom13

Zone Head
Posts: 736
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posted December 09, 2007 02:40 PM
The gains are real. All of our record setting race bikes have ceramic wheel bearings....
The drag from the stock wheel bearings require more power to turn the wheel. Results are similar to when you clean and lube a dirty chain.
A side benefit to the ceramic bearings is the longevity. Ceramic bearings take heat a lot better and will not wear out like the stockers.
If you're looking to purchase a set, you can get a set front/rear for UNDER $400.00 at www.AcePerformanceRacing.com
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KZScott

Needs a life
high on speed
Posts: 7235
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posted December 09, 2007 04:15 PM
Sal gained 2 mph in the 9/10ths didnt he Phantom?
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b03818

Expert Class
Posts: 148
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posted December 09, 2007 05:47 PM
I was told years ago that ceramic bearings did not last long. No more than 4 or 5 passes down the strip. So I did not give it another thought. I was just doing a search and there are the hybrid bearings, ceramic ball bearing only and full ceramic types. Some sites said that the creamic ball bearings last 5-10 times longer than the steel. Hell that would pay for it self in the long run plus the benefit of performance.
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I'll have some cole slaw with that beef.
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stevewfl

Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted December 09, 2007 07:32 PM
"Some sites said that the creamic ball bearings last 5-10 times longer than the steel"
I saw a showing on speed channel and they were claiming that. They said all the half-arse knock-offs were giving the product in general a bad name.
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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LandspeedLarry

Expert Class
Posts: 234
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posted December 09, 2007 07:58 PM
If you are racing to win or set a record, they are part of the equation. Every successful Supersport rider in drag and road racing uses them. Along with transmission,cam and water pump bearings. Not cheap. How far do you want to go? Align bored cam caps for less friction, polished transmissions for less oil drag. 0 wgt oil. The list goes on and on. For everyone else the money is best spent on an exhaust etc. LSL
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Home of the World's Fastest Naturally Aspirated motorcycles.
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b03818

Expert Class
Posts: 148
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posted December 09, 2007 08:30 PM
Does anybody know if there is any kind of special maintenance required that differs from the original stock bearings if any? Also, What are some to the top quality brands out there?
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I'll have some cole slaw with that beef.
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Phantom13

Zone Head
Posts: 736
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posted December 10, 2007 04:01 PM
Edited By: Phantom13 on 10 Dec 2007 16:01
quote: Sal gained 2 mph in the 9/10ths didnt he Phantom?
Something like that.... I'd have to ask him when I get to the shop tomorrow if you want the exact gains.
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"The only place Success comes
before Work is inside the Dictionary."
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flyboy

Pro
Posts: 1536
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posted December 10, 2007 06:07 PM
Great for racing top end. You will notice no difference in day to day riding. "Decal" on your fairing helps you get laid more often.
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stevewfl

Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted December 11, 2007 03:44 PM
quote: Great for racing top end. You will notice no difference in day to day riding. "Decal" on your fairing helps you get laid more often.
decals are good for about 3 HP each too, aren't they?
man I hate those things.
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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salsa1
Needs a life
Posts: 5971
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posted December 13, 2007 11:56 AM
There is dragracing and street versions of ceramic bearings available by schnitz for the 10R...
which ones are being considered here? the dragracing ones require service every so often.. too often for my tastes.. like every few passes...
question is .. are the street version worth the money? and are the gains at least .03 - .05 sec shaved off the 1/4 mile...on average..? I have no idea.. but they are expensive...
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Salsa1
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swiftkart
Expert Class
Posts: 349
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posted December 13, 2007 01:00 PM
quote: There is dragracing and street versions of ceramic bearings available by schnitz for the 10R...
which ones are being considered here? the dragracing ones require service every so often.. too often for my tastes.. like every few passes...
question is .. are the street version worth the money? and are the gains at least .03 - .05 sec shaved off the 1/4 mile...on average..? I have no idea.. but they are expensive...
The difference is the drag race has no dust sheilds at all and need oiled after 2 or 3 passes and the street or endurance ones have either 1 or both sheilds on to keep dirt out and light weight grease in, my superkart has sheilds on both sides and there is a noticeable gain, the 1 sheild ones are the way to go on a bike with no regreasing required and roll better than the 2 sheild bearings, but not as good as the bearings with no sheilds at all, the least drag available .
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2006 ZX14, Brock CT-Meg, PC, ignition module, E85, 214 lbs suited, 8.96@152.32 1.46 60'
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salsa1
Needs a life
Posts: 5971
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posted December 14, 2007 06:25 AM
quote: The difference is the drag race has no dust sheilds at all and need oiled after 2 or 3 passes and the street or endurance ones have either 1 or both sheilds on to keep dirt out and light weight grease in, my superkart has sheilds on both sides and there is a noticeable gain, the 1 sheild ones are the way to go on a bike with no regreasing required and roll better than the 2 sheild bearings, but not as good as the bearings with no sheilds at all, the least drag available .
Can you tell me if lubrication for drag racing ceramic wheel bearing requires wheel removal...? I would hope not.....how are they lubricated when you are at the track..?
Thanks for info.. have fun!!
so can you confirm for me
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Salsa1
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stevewfl

Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted December 14, 2007 06:29 AM
salsa why not upload your own avatar? although you look good on my track bike too no biggie brutha-man!
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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stevewfl

Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted December 14, 2007 06:29 AM
geez swiftkart has it too!
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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stevewfl

Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted December 14, 2007 06:31 AM
for now I'll change avatars.....
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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swiftkart
Expert Class
Posts: 349
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posted December 14, 2007 09:14 AM
Edited By: swiftkart on 14 Dec 2007 09:15
quote: geez swiftkart has it too!
I've never had one, the system must be screwed up and just giving me one, it changes everyday, I had hawkman's the other day.
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2006 ZX14, Brock CT-Meg, PC, ignition module, E85, 214 lbs suited, 8.96@152.32 1.46 60'
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