Brother you had me laughing my ass off...I'm like is this guy talking to me...gone through everything word for word with how I came to the conclusion about the final drive bearings....bought the bearings took to a small bike shop they pressed in and out for $25
I'm off to the dealer today to buy a set of front bearings for my ride because I hit a pothole the size of California and now when in a turn I feel roughness. Took a look and yep - grease stain on the ABS bearing. Oh well.
Had a rear wheel bearing failure on my 2008 Buell Ulyesses . The rear wheel had two small bearings. I did some research and found out that Buell made an upgrade in 2009... The new wheel has 3 larger wheel bearings instead of two smaller ones.. I found an old Stock new wheel with the wheel bearing axle and spacer kit for $700.00 All Balls Wheel bearings cost 25% of what HD sells them for .. You China bearing puller kit should have wheel bearing installers too, thus you can press the new bearings in yourself.. You might want to put the new bearings in a freezer overnight..
They are a pain in the butt...that said I kinda feel sales are down to price..the average age per harley owner is 50 per a Google search..the younger generation of riders can't afford a harley in this economy and trend toward the cheaper yet still reliable metric bikes till they get all their finances in order and buy what everybody wants when the time is right
I have an 08 Road King Classic. The 08 touring models have an isolator basket that bolts on...that I suppose isn't the point. I believe the 08 only has a double row bearing with an extended race. Part number 9285. It's the only thing shown on the parts diagram. So in the case of the 08 models, you only have 3 bearings(technically) because the double stacked sprocket bearing sits inside one housing. I'm not sure the MoCo even makes it anymore. We keep rolling via dead stock parts.