Motorcycle Repair: wheel bearing removal 78 XL100, wheel bearing, soft aluminum

Question
Hi Rich,
I'm changing the bearings on a 1978 XL100. Can you tell me how to remove the rear wheel bearing on the sprocket side?
I've removed the brake side bearing, but the sprocket side has what looks like a seal (but is metal) over the bearing and it won't budge. I've tried tapping it out with a short stretch of pipe through the hub, but it feels really solid. Can you help me?

Thanks,
Mark

Answer
Mark, the retainer is threaded into the hub. I've alway made a spanner wrench to remove it.  The retainer is very soft aluminum and will gall in the threads if you aren't careful.  If you have a dremmel grinder and cutter disks, it's not too difficult to make a socket to fit in the holes.  If it's not frozen in the bore, it should come out.  I'd recommend you put penetrating oil on it and let is soak in while you make your tool to keep the threads from galling.

Regards
Rich