Road trip failure. Bearing failure

[Kiwi_Roy]

Of course you are right there Phil. It was bad of me to suggest someone might do as I did 
Since that incident I take a long hard look at wheel bearings every tire change.
On a trip I usually take a spare even if it's an old one, I'm quite capable of changing one on the side of the road.
If something disastrous was going to happen it would have while the bearing was spiting out the balls.
The only alternative I had was call a tow truck, as it happened I made it at terrible risk to life and limb back to a shop that could change it out.
There was no stress on the brake components, a single ball race is quite capable of handling minimal side thrust.
Cheers
Roy

[Muzz]

On my last road trip just before I took the Breva off the road for winter I found that the front tire had done the rapid disappearing act.  There is a bike shop in the isolated town I was staying at run by a very obliging and helpful guy.

He said he put the bike on his table, and as he wandered down to the rear gave the front wheel a spin before he removed it.  As he got to the rear he heard a noise from the luggage rack, which stopped when the front wheel stopped spinning.  Did it again, same thing.  The front spun freely.  He had a good look at the bearings when he removed the wheel; one had seized and the other was notchy.  Fortunately, both the axle and the hub were undamaged.  Bearings were made in France, can't remember whether they were Saeco, NTN or SKF.  A recognized brand anyway.

Was REALLY pleased he picked it up; the seized one went straight in the bin but he kept the "good" one to show me.   I would never had made it home.  Top service and all done at a very realistic price.

[wirespokes]

Did he have any explanation for the failure?

[Muzz]

Did he have any explanation for the failure?

Nope.  Checked it all out and couldn't see anything that would cause it.  The first thing he did was to check where they were made, hence he knew they were made in France.  29,000 miles, should have lasted two - three times longer.

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

So, just to follow up this experience. If you out riding and your rear wheel bearing goes out, if at all possible stop immediately! I don’t know how Guzzi’s are designed, but a Victory V92c does extensive damage when the bearing goes out. I’m going to have to source a one new axle spacer, hub spacer, and an entire rear wheel. I’m also going to need new rear pads, as the rotor ate into the pad all the way to the metal. The bearing got utterly destroyed.
The wheel had a broken spoke. I don’t know it that contributed to it or not. Either way, a rear bearing failing is expensive if you ride on it! As I have found out.

[Ncdan]

So, just to follow up this experience. If you out riding and your rear wheel bearing goes out, if at all possible stop immediately! I don’t know how Guzzi’s are designed, but a Victory V92c does extensive damage when the bearing goes out. I’m going to have to source a one new axle spacer, hub spacer, and an entire rear wheel. I’m also going to need new rear pads, as the rotor ate into the pad all the way to the metal. The bearing got utterly destroyed.
The wheel had a broken spoke. I don’t know it that contributed to it or not. Either way, a rear bearing failing is expensive if you ride on it! As I have found out.

Yep👍