rebuilding star hubs

[goat]

I have a couple of star hubs that I wanted to get rebuilt, I took them to a very small shop and the mechanic told me that they were worn too far to be rebuilt. Is there not an oversize bearing kit that can be bought for these Im meaning larger rollers or is there a way to install caged timken bearings in them so that I can still grease them with the original zerk fittings?? The mechanic was just a helper at a shop and I dont really trust that they were worn too far he was just helping out a man who was in his eightys and I dont think the older gentleman ever looked at them himself, I just think the younger man didnt want to fool with my hubs and told me this. I dont know exactly what they measured but I do know that they are not scored inside anywhere.

[Rubone]

If the bearing surfaces are good they are rebuild-able. See Big Inchers blog on the online mag portion of this site. He covers it in detail.
Robbie

[unclepsycho]

Link to Biginchers Blog

Classic Harley Wheel & Star Hub Rebuild | Harley Magazine - Classic American Iron Magazine

[Sarge]

And the folks at "Into The Wilderness Trading" (on eBay) are among the people who have all those oversize 0.250"+ roller bearings that you were told aren't available. Along with Kick-Start Motorcycle Parts (phone only: 616 245-8991), 45 Parts Depot, Old Dude, and many others.

[ElectraGlideInBlue]

Originally Posted by goat

I have a couple of star hubs that I wanted to get rebuilt, I took them to a very small shop and the mechanic told me that they were worn too far to be rebuilt.

Do all shops do this? I was told this same thing by a guy that's had a shop over 30 years. Maybe they just don't know or don't care, or maybe they are afraid to go there or they just want to sell Teddy parts.

I'm just glad I didn't throw my hubs in the trash as he recommended. Bigincher has really laid out an easy to follow re-build guide.

[Chris Haynes]

When you do find one that the bearing races are hosed on it is still salvageable. Rare hubs such as stepped hubs can be saved. You will need a male Sportster rod race and a male 45" rod race to do it. Now you need to find an OD grinder and an ID grinder. ID grind the old races out of the hub. OD grind the new races to a press fit into the hub. Lap the new races and install new standard bearings.

[goat]

Im glad I didnt throw them away as was suggested but they did talk me into buying two more that after I got them they were clearly marked "made in Taiwan" I had already given the man $525.00 for the two of them after he assured me they were american before I paid him. They belonged to an american alright but they were made somewhere else. That was a 500.00 dollar mistake I had to eat and I didnt put them on my old panhead. I left the stickers on them and got the bill in the box maybe one day Ill meet someone who doesnt care where they are made and get some of my money back. I would rather put re-built american made star hubs back on my bike re-built by an american in his back yard machine shop than to risk the stuff that may not have had the quality control measures that we had here back in the day with the attention to making something re-buildable over and over like our good old Harleys are. Just one more reason of many many that Im proud to be an american and proud I ride old american iron. Thank you for all the replies and the very helpful info.

[Bigincher]

Originally Posted by Sarge

And the folks at "Into The Wilderness Trading" (on eBay) are among the people who have all those oversize 0.250"+ roller bearings that you were told aren't available. Along with Kick-Start Motorcycle Parts (phone only: 616 245-8991), 45 Parts Depot, Old Dude, and many others.

Nothing against "Into The Wilderness, but I have since stopped sourcing my rollers from them. They are Chinese. I buy my rollers from Kick Start--- they are Torrington. Also less expensive. The difference in physical appearance is remarkable.
Rebuilding star hubs is one of my most favorite excercises! It's actually quite easy, and parts are readily available. Sometimes the races have minor pitting and are still servicable.
Thanks to you guys that mentioned my Blog. Any questions, feel free to PM me.

[BNSONS]

goat
What's the name of this shop that did you such a big favor.
Dave