Rear Wheel Bearing & Seal Kit | Honda CB450 / CB500 / CB550
Wheel bearings are what keep your Honda rolling smooth and trouble-free, and they are one of the most neglected parts on these bikes — most are still running on whatever the previous owner left in the hub. This kit covers the rear hub on the CB450 / CL450 Scrambler / CB500T and the CB500K / CB550K / CB550F with top quality European made bearings and a fresh dust seal.
Why You Need This
Worn rear wheel bearings cause excessive play in the hub and let the wheel wobble — and it only gets worse the more you ride. If your rear bearings are oozing grease, feel crunchy when you spin them, or show lateral play (back-and-forth movement perpendicular to the axle), it is time to replace them.
The factory bearings are single-sealed — a seal on the outboard side only — so once they are dry or contaminated, replacement beats repacking. Our kit pairs the large drive-side bearing with the smaller brake-side bearing and includes the dust seal, with ample grease packing in both.
What's in the Kit
- Drive side (large) rear wheel bearing
- Brake side (small) rear wheel bearing
- Dust seal
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|
| Fits Models | CB450 K0–K7 (1965–1974), CL450 K0–K6 (1967–1974), CB500T (1975–1976), CB500K0–K2 (1971–1973), CB550K (1974–1978), CB550F (1975–1977) |
| Sold As | Kit (drive-side bearing, brake-side bearing, dust seal) |
Note to CB550 owners: The 550 wheel bearing retainer is reverse threaded, as indicated by the arrow on it. Use the rear wheel bearing retainer tool to remove the old retainer and install the fresh one without tearing it up.
Note: The bearing retainer itself is not part of this kit — if yours gets chewed up on the way out, grab a replacement retainer (also available as an add-on above).
Installation
Difficulty: Intermediate
- The factory bearing retainer is peened into the hub. Drill the peen marks ever so slightly with a sharp 1/8" drill bit — just past the surface, no deeper — then soak the retainer in penetrating oil.
- Heat the hub with a heat gun to expand the aluminum, then remove the retainer with the retainer tool. Heat is the key to getting retainers and bearings out without a fight.
- Drive the old bearings out with a long punch or drift worked at an angle on the inner edge — carefully, so you do not damage the hub. A hot hub will often give up the bearing with light taps.
- Toss the new bearings in the freezer for an hour before the job. Install the bearing on the retainer side first — that side of the hub has a seat lip, and the first bearing plus the distance collar set the depth. Account for every spacer that came out.
- Drive the new bearings in with a large socket or tube just smaller than the bearing's outer race. Do not press on the inner race or the blue dust covers — that damages the bearing.
- Reinstall the retainer with anti-seize on the threads — it should go mostly by hand when clean — then peen it in a few places with a center punch so it cannot back out.
Our wheel bearing replacement video walks through the whole job, front and rear, on this exact family of bikes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know my rear wheel bearings are bad?
Grab the rear wheel and rock it side to side: any lateral play means worn bearings. Oozing grease, a crunchy feel when spinning the wheel, or a wobble that grows with speed are the other tells.
Do I need the retainer tool?
Strongly recommended. The factory retainer is peened into the hub and usually takes drilling, penetrating oil, and heat to let go — improvised tools tend to gall the retainer holes. The retainer tool seats squarely and works for removal and reinstall.
Is the retainer included in this kit?
No — the kit is the two bearings and the dust seal. Retainers are available as add-ons above or as a separate part if yours gets damaged on removal.
Will this fit my CB350 or CB360?
No — the 350 / 360 twins use a different rear bearing kit: see the CB350 / CL350 / CB360 / CL360 rear wheel bearing kit.
What else should I do while the wheel is off?
Inspect the rear brake. New shoes are cheap insurance while everything is apart: CB450 / CL450 / CB500T shoes or CB500K / CB550 shoes.
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Last updated: June 2026
