Motorcycle Repair: 96 vulcan 750, wheel bearings, wheel hub

Question
email abigcvnut@aol.com
I had the bike on the centerstand cleaning the rear wheel.  As it turned I noticed the rear wheel hub does not remain even with the final drive gear housing.  believing the hub is round does this indicate bad bearings or something else with the wheel or is this normal?
>> Note the movement is up and down not side to side.
Thanks,
Gary

Answer
Hi Gary,

I'm thinking it's an out-of-round hub casting. No harm, and wheel should remain aligned.

Bad wheel bearings will have lateral and/or radial play. Meaning the wheel will move up/down or side/side. Any movement other than normal rotation of the wheel should be investigated.

Respectfully,
Mark Shively