Crank bearing 2012ec250r
 

Question:

I lost sixth gear (broke in four places, bent shift fork) so I split the cases to replace the gear and fork. When I split the case the main bearing on the ignition side of the crank stayed on the crank not in the case.

My question is can I just leave it on the crank when I go to put the cases back together or do I need to remove it from the crank and place it back into the case? If I have to remove it, how would a guy go about doing that. Heat?

It should be installed into the cases first so you can make sure they are fully seated and the crank is installed equidistant between the case halves. But you risk damaging the bearing by removing it off the crank. I would just install new bearings and crank seals for piece of mind.

How do I get the bearing off the crank?

With a bearing splitter and/or a press.

As Nate said, the bearing must be installed into the cases. Now that you have split the engine is a good time to replace both main bearings.

Before installing the new ones inspect the engine cases thoroughly, especially the left one where the bearing came out. Make sure that the left bearing is fully seated and sits as tight as it should.

I once removed a bearing from the crank "russian style" using a small diamond cutting disk. It was a pain but we managed to get it off without damaging the crank.

Good luck.

Bearing off.