Originally posted on the XLFORUM by GA_Ironhead ¹⁾

• On NSK bearings: “V” = rubber seal on one side; “V V” = rubber seal on both sides; “Z” = steel shield on one side; “ZZ” = steel.
  • Shield on both sides; “DU” = heavy contact seal one side; “DDU” = heavy contact seal both sides.
  • “Heavy Contact” = higher drag. Normally the “V V” seal is sufficient (I have never seen “DW” on an NSK bearing).
• Ball bearing mfgrs.
  • All use their own numbering system although many of them are similar to each other.
  • Fafnir: “P” = rubber seal, “KD” = steel shield, etc.
  • SKF: “RS” = rubber seal, “Z” = steel shield, etc.
  • No suffix = no seal or shield

• Seals retain grease & exclude contaminants. Shields do not – they need an auxiliary seal to do that.
• Often ball bearings that are sealed or shielded on both sides are cheaper (because they are more common).
• You can safely pry out the seal/shield on the side where it’s not needed.
• I’ve listed mostly double sealed/shielded bearings in the chart.
• The “C3” designation on some ball bearings is a clearance designation (the clearance, or “fit”, between the balls & the outer race).
• “C3” bearings are common (probably the most common), and can be used in many applications.
• Tapered roller bearing mfgrs.
  • All use the same numbering system, although some use a “4T-” prefix.
• AVOID CHINESE, TAIWANESE & EASTERN EUROPEAN BEARINGS LIKE THE PLAGUE.
• THEY ARE CHEAP BUT IN THE LONG RUN THEY ARE NOT INEXPENSIVE!
• GOOD BALL & ROLLER BEARINGS ARE NOT THAT MUCH MONEY.
• SPEND THE EXTRA & SAVE A LOT OF HEADACHES IN THE LONG RUN.

• 8860 Steering Stem Neck Bearings (Qty 28) 1954 -1977 5/16” Diameter Loose Ball Bearings
• 8871 Nippondenso Starter Drive End Bearing 1991-1994 1200’s and 1995 to Present All Models NSK 6002VV
• 8876A Five Speed Mainshaft and Countershaft All 1991Split Plastic Caged Needle Bearings Torrington TORR2079 (??)
• 8877 Nippondenso Starter Drive End Drive 1981-1994 All Models NSK 6002ZZ
• 8878 Nippondenso Starter Commutator End Bearing 1981-1985 XL 1000’s and 1986-1994 XL 883’s NSK608ZZ
• 8882 Nippondenso Starter Commutator End Bearing 1986-1990 All Models Superceded OEM Number 8880 on 1/95 NSK 608VV
• 8883 Nippondenso Starter Bearing Commutator End Bearing 1991-1994 1200’s and 1995 to Present All Models NSK 608VV
• 8885 Clutch Pressure Plate Bearing Late 1984 to Present Ripan SS NTN 6208
• 8888 C/S Low Gear Late 1984 – 1990 Torrington B110
• 8977 Countershaft Tranny Case Needle Bearing 1991 to Present FAG BK2526 (Germany) or INA BK2526
• 8996 Clutch Gear Trapdoor Bearing 1991-to Present FAG 559197 (CANADA) or FAG 6209 C3
• 9007 Generator Drive End Bearing 1958-1981 FAG 6202-ZR C3 or SKF 6202Z
• 9008 Rear Wheel Bearing 1955 – 1978 Front Wheel 1954 – 1963 NTN6203Z C3
• 9009 Front Wheel 1954 – 1972 Rear Wheel 1963 – 1978 Fafnir 203KD
• 9010 Rear Wheel Bearing (Double Row Brake Side) 1954 – 1962 MRC 5203SBKF, or use 1-NSK 6203 & 1-NSK 6203Z
• 9025A Four Speed Clutch Trapdoor Bearing 1954 – 1990 NTN 6207ZZ, Fafnir 207KDD, NTN 6207Z
• 9052 Front Wheel Bearing 1973 to Present and Rear Wheel Bearing 1979 to Present Timken Race LM11949 & Timken Bearing LM11910
• 9057 Cam Needle Bearings Late 1958 – 1990 Torrington B-117
• 9062 Starter Motor Gear Housing 1967 – 1980 M8101 or INA BCE810
• 9063 Primary Cover Starter Shaft Needle Bearing 1967 – 1980 Torrington B1210, INA S1210 or IKO BA1210Z
• 9073 Clutch Pressure Plate bearing 1971- Early 1984 and Prestolite Starter Motor Drive End Bearing Fafnir S8NPP or NSK R12VV same as OEM 31539-66)
• 9088 Generator Commutator End Needle Bearing 1958 – 1981 INA BCE89
• 9118 Mainshaft Tranny Case Late 1984 – to Present Torrington BH2012
• 18534-29A Tappet Roller 1957 – to Present Japan BRV4146 EOIIKOG (??)
• 24648-77 Right Crankcase Pinion Shaft bearing 1977 – 1986 (EV) Torrington Bearing HJ202816
• 24729-52 Left Crankcase Shaft bearing 1954 – 1976 Timken Race 0719D and a Torrington Bearing RA52340-1 (??)
• 24729-74 left crankcase Sprocket Shaft bearing 1977 – 1990 Timken Race L44610 and Timken Bearing L44649
• 29916-82 Hitachi Generator Commutator End Bearing1982 - Early 1984 NSK 6201VV
• 29917-82 Hitachi Generator Drive End bearing 1982 – Early 1984 NSK (325) 604DU (??)
• 31539-66 Prestolite Starter Motor Drive End Bearing 1967 – 1980 Fafnir S8PP or NSK R12VV
• 31583-73 Hitachi Starter Motor Drive End Bearing 1974 – 1976 NSK 6004VV
• 35051-89 Mainshaft Fifth Drive Gear Needle Bearings 1991 to Present FAG HK2520
• 35960-54 Countershaft Closed End Needle Bearing 1954 – 1990 Torrington M-11121
• 35961-52 Countershaft Open End Needle Bearing 1954 – 1990 Torrington B-1212
• 36799-84 Clutch Basket Ball bearing Late 1984 – 1990 NTN 6089Z (??)
• 37722-52 Clutch Basket Needle Bearing 1954 – 1970 Torrington B-229
• 37722-71 Clutch Basket Ball Bearing 1971 – Early 1984 Fafnir 206KDD or NSK 6206ZZ
• 45586-78 Steering Stem Neck bearings 1978 – 1981 Timken Race L44610 and Timken Bearing L44640
• 47098-81 Right Side Swingarm Bearings 1982 to Present Timken Race LM11710 and Timken Bearing LM11749
• 47521-74 Swingarm Bearings Late 1974 – 1981 Timken Race 11520 and Timken Bearing 11590
• 47550-74 Swingarm Bearings Early 1974 and Earlier Timken Race 17520 and Timken Bearing 17580
• 48300-60 Steering Stem neck Bearings 1982 to Present Timken Bearing L44643 and Timken Race L44610