ATHENA Front Wheel Bearing Kit with seals for HONDA and KTM 1995-2026

The ATHENA W445001F wheel bearing kit is designed for KTM SX 125, SX 250, SX 380, SX 400, SX 520, SXC 625, SXS 540 and HONDA CR 125, CR 250, CR 500, CRF 250, CRF 450 from 1995 to 2026. Wheel bearings carry the whole weight of the bike and take every landing, in mud, water and sand. When they develop play or feel notchy, the wheel wobbles, the disc rubs on the pads and the bike holds its line less well.

Specifications

• Brand: ATHENA
• Manufacturer part number: W445001F
• EAN code: 8057018262953
• Contents: bearings and seals
• Weight: 120 g

When to replace it?

• Wheel play: with the bike on a stand, grab the wheel at the top and bottom and rock it.
• With the axle out, bearings that turn with tight spots or a grinding noise.
• Brake disc rubbing on and off against the pads.
• Hub seals hardened or torn, rust around the axle.

Check the wheels for play after every pressure wash or ride through water, and replace the bearings at the slightest play or tight spot. Always change all the bearings in a wheel at the same time, together with their seals: a new bearing fitted next to a worn one won't last.

Fitting tips

1. Remove the wheel, then the side spacers and the hub seals.
2. Drive the bearings out with an expanding bearing puller, or from inside the hub by pushing the centre spacer aside and tapping alternately on each side of the inner race.
3. Clean the hub, warm it slightly (around 80 °C, with a heat gun) and fit the new bearings, pressing only on the outer race.
4. Put the centre spacer back between the bearings, then fit new seals packed with waterproof grease.
5. Refit the wheel, torque the axle to the figure in the manual and check that the wheel spins freely, with no play.

Why ATHENA?

Athena, an Italian company founded in 1973 near Vicenza, designs gaskets, pistons and cylinder kits for motorcycles. An OEM supplier to KTM, Ducati, Fantic, Piaggio and Triumph and a partner of the MXGP world championship, it develops its parts on the test bench and on the track with racing teams.

Spare parts and items to plan

• Grease : MOTUL 400 g
• Wheel seals : SKF VKWB-F-30-A · SKF W-KIT-F004-Ho
• Wheel spacers : RFX FXWS1010099RD · RFX FXWS1050099RD

Frequently asked questions

Should I change the bearings on both sides?
Yes: replace all the bearings in the wheel together, they have the same amount of wear. It's also the moment to fit new wheel seals.

What is the centre spacer for?
It keeps the bearings the right distance apart when you tighten the axle. If it's left out or badly positioned, the bearings get crushed sideways and only last a few hours.

Why do my bearings wear out so fast?
A pressure-washer jet aimed at the hub, worn seals or scored spacers let water in. Change the seals along with the bearings and avoid aiming at the hubs when you wash the bike.

Compatibility

Check the exact model and year of your bike in the list below before ordering.

Fits:
HONDA CR 125 2007
HONDA CR 125 2006
HONDA CR 125 2005
HONDA CR 125 2004
HONDA CR 125 2003
HONDA CR 125 2002
HONDA CR 125 2001
HONDA CR 125 2000
HONDA CR 125 1999
HONDA CR 125 1998
HONDA CR 125 1997
HONDA CR 125 1996
HONDA CR 125 1995
HONDA CR 250 2007
HONDA CR 250 2006
HONDA CR 250 2005
HONDA CR 250 2004
HONDA CR 250 2003
HONDA CR 250 2002
HONDA CR 250 2001
HONDA CR 250 2000
HONDA CR 250 1999
HONDA CR 250 1998
HONDA CR 250 1997
HONDA CR 250 1996
HONDA CR 250 1995
HONDA CR 500 2001
HONDA CR 500 2000
HONDA CR 500 1999
HONDA CR 500 1998
HONDA CR 500 1997
HONDA CR 500 1996
HONDA CR 500 1995
HONDA CRF 250 2026
HONDA CRF 250 2025
HONDA CRF 250 2024
HONDA CRF 250 2023
HONDA CRF 250 2022
HONDA CRF 250 2021
HONDA CRF 250 2020
HONDA CRF 250 2019
HONDA CRF 250 2018
HONDA CRF 250 2017
HONDA CRF 250 2016
HONDA CRF 250 2015
HONDA CRF 250 2014
HONDA CRF 250 2013
HONDA CRF 250 2012
HONDA CRF 250 2011
HONDA CRF 250 2010
HONDA CRF 250 2009
HONDA CRF 250 2008
HONDA CRF 250 2007
HONDA CRF 250 2006
HONDA CRF 250 2005
HONDA CRF 250 2004
HONDA CRF 450 2026
HONDA CRF 450 2025
HONDA CRF 450 2024
HONDA CRF 450 2023
HONDA CRF 450 2022
HONDA CRF 450 2021
HONDA CRF 450 2020
HONDA CRF 450 2019
HONDA CRF 450 2018
HONDA CRF 450 2017
HONDA CRF 450 2016
HONDA CRF 450 2015
HONDA CRF 450 2014
HONDA CRF 450 2013
HONDA CRF 450 2012
HONDA CRF 450 2011
HONDA CRF 450 2010
HONDA CRF 450 2009
HONDA CRF 450 2008
HONDA CRF 450 2007
HONDA CRF 450 2006
HONDA CRF 450 2005
HONDA CRF 450 2004
HONDA CRF 450 2003
HONDA CRF 450 2002
KTM SX 125 2002
KTM SX 125 2001
KTM SX 125 2000
KTM SX 250 2002
KTM SX 250 2001
KTM SX 250 2000
KTM SX 380 2002
KTM SX 380 2001
KTM SX 380 2000
KTM SX 400 2002
KTM SX 400 2001
KTM SX 400 2000
KTM SX 520 2002
KTM SX 520 2001
KTM SX 520 2000
KTM SXC 625 2005
KTM SXC 625 2004
KTM SXC 625 2003
KTM SXS 540 2002
KTM SXS 540 2001