this was a local place called bearings and drives, i called and asked for a FAG 6203 TB. He said "that doesn't sound familiar, i know the 6203"...looked it up said, "yeah sure enough, 6203 TB, says it has a polyamide case, they have them in stock in tenn" so without saying it to him, he said the part about it having a polyamide case. i saw them online at a scooter store in the US for $40 plus shipping. I'm paying the $21 plus $5 freight and pa sales tax so it will actually be closer to $30 all said and done. What was really strange was not only did he not have a price for it, he called FAG and they didn't have a price for it!? it took them about two hours to call him back with a price.
Layshaft: Balls or rollers
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Dave,DogT said:I think LAB is right. The one I got from Hemmings was a 6203 TB. Portugal at that.
Dave
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i saw that photo in one of your earlier posts and knowing you got it straight from mick i was going to use it to compare when mine arrives. To be honest, i"ve seen products like this before in the market, and i think their price is all based on hype. Obviously that bearing isn't super common, i called a bearing specialist, and he's never heard of it or dealt with it. Not a stock item. once someone like mick puts his stamp of approval on it, supply and demand along with the paranoia us norton owners feel over the layshaft bearings drives prices through the roof. The guy at the bearing supply was even surprised it cost $21, he said the standard 6203 he stocks is $4.00 and he guessed the TB would have been under $10. I called the local brit bike shop, he only sold a roller bearing for $106! That price was based on the fact it was "made in england" so was my father in laws MG but that things breaks down every week!
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kevbo82 said:
I doubt that is the case somehow-especially as prices of the 6203 TB bearing appear to have dropped-not risen over the last few years.
Ron L was quoted a price of $132.99 for a 6203 TB.P63 in 2007.
post15441.html
Ron L said:
However I agree that bearing prices can vary considerably, often because bearings are much cheaper when bought in bulk quantities.
kevbo82 said:
I think I would have challenged the guy to get me one for under $10.00 ? I think when he found out the price it would have been a case of: "Ah....well....y'see...it's a bit more than $10.00" ! :wink:
glass half full i guess LAB, i heard a $20 savings! and i do like to buy local if i can. in my search of the net for that bearing, i did manage to open a PDF price sheet from a bearing wholesaler who supplied FAG bearings, he had the 6203TB sold in a quantity of 10 for $100, so thats probably what most bearing places get them for and can sell them on around the $20 range and make a profit. Reading all the highly technical topics on these bearings on here, i bought into it enough for a $20-40 bearing to keep the wheel turning. While those arguments have their technical merit, to me it's over thinking the topic and it seems to really come down to the fact that a bad batch of bearings were used decades ago, and that doesn't mean a simple ball bearing would be half decent today.
Google the "6203 tvh c3" and see what you get. If it's good enough for Rotax aircraft engines and small Aprilia crankshafts then it's good enough for the funky ole AMC layshaft.
It seems that if it only cost more, it might be more inviting.
Maybe I should buy a dozen for $9 each and offer them for $30 a pop.
My brother in law was selling an older Suburban for $2000.00 and got no bites for a month. He double the price and sold it the next day.
It seems that if it only cost more, it might be more inviting.
Maybe I should buy a dozen for $9 each and offer them for $30 a pop.
My brother in law was selling an older Suburban for $2000.00 and got no bites for a month. He double the price and sold it the next day.
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I don't know enough technically to try & sway someone one way or another, but from the saying "you get what you pay for" (which frequently is true), I looked for a site that compared pricing to get a feel for the bearing alternatives.
Here's where I found an extensive pricing list: http://www.midlandbearings.com/FAG2011Jan.htm
Their pricing seems a bit high from what little I know, but the variety of 6203 bearings, and the wild swings in price, was interesting. Wish I knew how much the demand for any one type might influence the price.
Here's where I found an extensive pricing list: http://www.midlandbearings.com/FAG2011Jan.htm
Their pricing seems a bit high from what little I know, but the variety of 6203 bearings, and the wild swings in price, was interesting. Wish I knew how much the demand for any one type might influence the price.
Layshaft bearing...
I'm getting ready to do the roller replacement, so I opened up a parts bike gearbox (142780) to train up.
This bike has been in storage for over 20 years.
I was a bit surprised to find a Japan XU NTN 6203 in there. Someone had done a replacement way back in time.
The mainshaft bearing in the inner cover was the probably original marked GT Britain SKF.
The bearing cage showed marks where probably a socket banged it when tightening the mainshaft nut.
I'm getting ready to do the roller replacement, so I opened up a parts bike gearbox (142780) to train up.
This bike has been in storage for over 20 years.
I was a bit surprised to find a Japan XU NTN 6203 in there. Someone had done a replacement way back in time.
The mainshaft bearing in the inner cover was the probably original marked GT Britain SKF.
The bearing cage showed marks where probably a socket banged it when tightening the mainshaft nut.
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I found something similar when I did my layshaft bearing in the spring. There was an unmarked roller bearing, not the original. If I had known it had been changed I would have left it alone as I didn't have any problems. I put in a roller and shimmed it and the end play ended up at 8 thou. I would have put in the 'Mick Hemmings' polymide roller, the price was about the same but it was special order and would have taken 6 weeks instead of 'off the shelf' for the roller from the local bearing retailer. I spoke with a well known local Norton engine builder and he warned me not to make it too tight. The tolerance on these machines isn't F1. It turned out fine. I've had no issues, she shifts nicely, positive, no false neutrals and neutral is easy to find. And I have the peace of mind of knowing whats in there. You can drive yourself crazy second guessing options but for street use either bearing is fine.
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