Rear wheel refurb

The rear wheel on my '74 MKII has never been serviced, other than replacing brake shoes. The exploded view in the parts book shows that it's a complex set of bearings, spacers, seals and whatnot. Should any or all of these parts be replaced after 34 years / 35,000 miles? Is it an easy rebuild, or do you need special tools / skills?

I see stuff on Fred Eaton's site about replacing a bearing with a sealed one.. is that a worthwhile thing to do?

Thanks

Its not a big job. Hardest part is getting the left hand threaded part out. If you are familiar with getting bearings out it is easy. The workshop manual runs you right through it. You can get the double row sealed bearing from Walridge in CA. That way you don't have to machine the hub. I would replace the bearings with sealed ones and inspect any other parts, but they are probably OK unless it has been abused. If you need the dis-assembly/assembly instructions, let me know, I can get them to you, at least for a 70, and I don't think it is much different. The Haynes manual also describes it.

Dave
69 S

The factory '70-'73 version manual (there's no '74 version) is available on-line: http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Repai ... mmando.pdf

'71-'74 rear wheel assembly is slightly different to the earlier type, but both types are covered in section H of the manual .

I had CNW/Buchanans do my wheels as one of the first steps when I got my Norton. They needed it, unfortunately. They got sealed bearings as part of that process.

Sealed bearings are great, in that you have one less maintenance item. Still, there's something to be said for "unsealed" ones - each tire change (is more often necessary? - that is my usual timetable) you can check them by hand for smoothness and regrease them. I do that on my airhead BMW and consider it a "plus." Then again, I am more than a little "old school."