OTHG would like to introduce Boca Bearings as a sponsor for the 2022 South National! Boca Bearings makes their products for virtually every application, but we bet you would be most interested in their their Ceramic Hybrid Bearings which have applications and sizing for all different areas of a motorcycle:
“Ceramic Hybrid Bearings have Steel races and Ceramic Balls. Ceramic Balls are suitable for applications where high loads, high speeds and extreme temperatures are factors. Long life and the need for minimal lubrication make this material appropriate for extreme applications. Ceramic is non-porous, non-magnetic, non corrosive and lighter than steel. In ball form, ceramic balls are also harder than steel and because ceramic balls are non-porous they are virtually frictionless and capable of spinning faster than steel balls.”
Here are some answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Ceramic Hybrid Bearings and their motorcycle application:
- What are C-HIP Motorcycle Bearings?
- C-HIP Motorcycle Bearings are a line of bearings the utilizes Si3N4 Silicone Nitride Balls that are made with a more rigorous manufacturing process than ceramic balls used in other bearing lines. The HIP stands for Hot Isostatic Press which is a hotter and higher density process that makes the ceramic ball more dense and durable than standard Si3N4 balls.
- What are the benefits of ceramic hybrid bearings for Motorcycles?
- Ceramic hybrid bearings are lighter weight, capable of achieving higher RPM’s than traditional steel bearings, have lower coefficient of friction than steel bearings, and sustaining higher operating temperatures than traditional bearings. The ceramic ball will never corrode and cannot weld to the metal races eliminating one of the most common points of bearing failure.
- Can I use full ceramic bearings for motorcycles?
- Full ceramic bearings are not ideal for motorcycle applications. The full ceramic bearings to not hold up under impact loads. Specifically the ceramic races are likely to crack under high impact loads. It is recommended to use a ceramic hybrid or steel bearing instead.
- Do I need to use grease in my motorcycle bearings?
- Yes, you should run motorcycle bearings with grease for a few reasons. If you are using traditional steel bearings grease is required to dissipate heat. If heat is not properly dissipated in a steel bearing the bearing will seize and fail. For ceramic hybrid bearings grease is recommended but not required. The grease in a bearing will help capture dirt and particulates and keep them away from rolling elements of the bearing. If you choose to run ceramic hybrid bearings without grease then more frequent cleaning is recommended.
- What are ceramic bearings for Motorcycles?
- Ceramic Bearings can likely refer to two things in reference to motorcycles. Ceramic Bearings could mean that the balls themselves are ceramic. Ceramic Bearings could also refer to what is more typically known as ceramic hybrid bearings, which are bearings where the inner and outer race are metal, and the balls in the bearing are ceramic.
Keep an eye out for more Boca Bearings information at the 2022 South National!