KX500 Replacing Rear wheel bearings

[Sandblaster]

KX500 Replacing Rear wheel bearings
It's not a thorough explanation but pics can say a thousand words..
Since my KX500 sand bike was stolen, I need to get my Supermoto ready for the sand
I have a wheel off a 03 KX500 that is straight with good spokes.
After I pulled the tire off it I realized that it was fairly corroded on the inside.
By the sand on the outside it was clear that the bike had been rode in the sand and not washed very often.
I should have simply washed the whole thing right then and there but instead I used a wire wheel to remove all the corrosion from the inside.
Then I mounted up a good used paddle tire.

03 KX500 REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT 1.jpg (71.46 KiB) Viewed 9570 times

After I mounted the tire I realized that the sprocket and the wheel bearings really should be replaced..
Of course the sprocket bolts were froze up and had retaining compound (thread locker) on them so out cake the heat...

03 KX500 REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT 2.jpg (49.74 KiB) Viewed 9570 times

[Sandblaster]

Once I removed the sprocket I got out my slide hammer and popped the bearings and seals off.

03 KX500 REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT 3.jpg (71.86 KiB) Viewed 9569 times

These bearings were definitely ready to be replaced.

03 KX500 REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT 4.jpg (67.28 KiB) Viewed 9569 times

[Sandblaster]

After the bearings were removed I went over the entire wheel with my hot water pressure washer.
I should have done that first but better late then never.

03 KX500 REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT 5.jpg (49.46 KiB) Viewed 9569 times

After clean up I sprayed carb cleaner down the center to push out any water.
Nice and clean now..

03 KX500 REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT 6.jpg (66.96 KiB) Viewed 9569 times

[Sandblaster]

I pushed the new bearings in using a 30mm socket as I don't own a bearing driver..

03 KX500 REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT 7.jpg (210.22 KiB) Viewed 9569 times

Once the bearing was in I pushed in the seal using my fingers.
Finally I put a small dab of grease on the seal lip.

03 KX500 REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT 8.jpg (73.9 KiB) Viewed 9569 times

[Sandblaster]

As you can see the drive side uses two bearings.
No big deal, just drive them in side by side using the socket and doping them one at a time, push on the new seal and grease the lip.

03 KX500 REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT 9.jpg (63.38 KiB) Viewed 9569 times

Installed the new sprocket using retaining compound on the nuts and done...

03 KX500 REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT 9-1.jpg (73.52 KiB) Viewed 9569 times

As a final note, starting in 97 Kawasaki used the double bearing on the drive side as they were having to many hub and bearing failures.
So, if you want to know what year your wheel is, just check the amount of bearings on the drive side.