Hi, i just purchased a 1999 cbr600 f4 a few weeks ago and i rode it for the first time last weekend. I noticed that the back wheel felt a little sloppy (like it wobbled a little bit) so i got off the bike and i could just move the tire a little bit with my hand.
Do the bearings in the rear wheel need to be replaced or is it safe to ride on it like this? Could it be something else? If they do need to be replaced could you help me as to how i would go about doing that. Thanks!

 

My first thought would be to make sure the axle nut is tight. If it is tight, and you have movement of the wheel but the axle stays in place, then the bearings may be bad. It is not safe to ride on the bike if the bearings are so bad that the wheel moves side to side. You will want to park the bike until you get new bearings installed.

If your mechanically inclined, its pretty straight forward. Tap out the old bearings and tap in the new ones making sure they are straight in the process. A little heat is sometimes required for stubborn bearings. they are not a heavy press fit. Just go slow and steady and they will come out. You will probably need to push the spacer to one side, then tap out the other side bearing, then onto the other. If your not mechanically inclined, you may want to have a shop do it for you.

 

Awesome! that sounds like something i could do. Thanks for your help

 

Matey,when knocking out the Bearings,make sure you use a soft metal drive ie;BRASS- so you dont score the internals.............Take your time,think ahead!Good luck with it.

 

It could be the bearings but i would also check to see if the wheel is "true". We had a dirt bike wheel get slightly warped from flat landing a jump and it caused it to wobble even after the best attempt to true it the shop could do. Just a thought.

 

i wouldnt mess with the bearings just yet... just make sure the axle nut is tight and that the chain slider is tightened to where you liek it