What options are currently available and does the year of manufacture matter ?

Considering the importance of good working suspension and the quality and longevity of the Honda\Montesa bearings in comparison to most of the alternatives I say stick with stock.  

 

FYI, the first owner of my bike got a set of the All-Balls and told me it was so loose it was like running the old stock ones so he went back to stock and it was worth it.

 

My 2 cents.  good luck.

Considering the importance of good working suspension and the quality and longevity of the Honda\Montesa bearings in comparison to most of the alternatives I say stick with stock.  

 

FYI, the first owner of my bike got a set of the All-Balls and told me it was so loose it was like running the old stock ones so he went back to stock and it was worth it.

 

My 2 cents.  good luck.

+1

Ditto the above I tried both and my preference Montesa oe every time

Viva Montesa

For what it's worth, I've had good results with All-Balls.

You local bearing/seal stockist will have good quality items at a good price. Get the genuine bushes though, as some aftermarket ones are made of the same cheese as the sump guards. Bearing size 15×21×12 seal size 15×21×3.

You local bearing/seal stockist will have good quality items at a good price. Get the genuine bushes though, as some aftermarket ones are made of the same cheese as the sump guards. Bearing size 15×21×12 seal size 15×21×3.

I know that is the size for the early models but I have read somewhere that 2008 onwards use something like 14x22x12 to slightly increase the bearing roller size ???? I've only got the 2005 parts list so can't check for my 08'

Edit . All Balls only list up to 2007 so it looks likely that there is a difference 

 

Has anyone tried something like http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15x21x12-mm-JDB-Graphite-Lubricating-Brass-Bearing-Bushing-Sleeve-Choose-Qty-/272144327603?var=&hash=item3f5d10e3b3:m:mIoTdnWNIUnRuPt-fyyb5Pg or http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15x21x10-mm-JDB-Graphite-Lubricating-Brass-Bearing-Bushing-Sleeve-Choose-Qty-/272144327681?var=&hash=item3f5d10e401:m:mIoTdnWNIUnRuPt-fyyb5Pg which are narrower and would allow a grease nipple to fit between the bearings .

 

Edited September 11, 20169 yr by chris200

I haven't been aware of any change, the 15x21x12s have been going in my 2012 bike every year.

I know that is the size for the early models but I have read somewhere that 2008 onwards use something like 14x22x12 to slightly increase the bearing roller size ...

 

The 2005, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2014, and 2016 parts lists all show the same PN for this bearing -- 91071-NN1-000  BEARING, NEEDLE 15X21X12.

 

They were also used in the 315R.

 

Edited September 12, 20169 yr by sportsawyer

I know that is the size for the early models but I have read somewhere that 2008 onwards use something like 14x22x12 to slightly increase the bearing roller size ???? I've only got the 2005 parts list so can't check for my 08'

Edit . All Balls only list up to 2007 so it looks likely that there is a difference 

 

Has anyone tried something like http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15x21x12-mm-JDB-Graphite-Lubricating-Brass-Bearing-Bushing-Sleeve-Choose-Qty-/272144327603?var=&hash=item3f5d10e3b3:m:mIoTdnWNIUnRuPt-fyyb5Pg or http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15x21x10-mm-JDB-Graphite-Lubricating-Brass-Bearing-Bushing-Sleeve-Choose-Qty-/272144327681?var=&hash=item3f5d10e401:m:mIoTdnWNIUnRuPt-fyyb5Pg which are narrower and would allow a grease nipple to fit between the bearings .

Parts list can be found under Documentation: http://montesa4rt.nl/

 

Why don't you test those graphite brass bushings and let us know the result? 

You local bearing/seal stockist will have good quality items at a good price. Get the genuine bushes though, as some aftermarket ones are made of the same cheese as the sump guards. Bearing size 15×21×12 seal size 15×21×3.

 

FYI -you can get two types of needle roller bearings -some have an internal cage and some have no cage but extra needle -these are classed as full compliment needle rollers as I recall and are what are fitted as std.

You can fit either but the full compliment ones last longer as the loading is spread over a greater area -they are more expensive though.

Parts list can be found under Documentation: http://montesa4rt.nl/

 

Why don't you test those graphite brass bushings and let us know the result? 

 

Thanks for the link which has confirmed the size , The bushes have been ordered and I will report back