I would assume when a manufacturer no longer exists, one has to then try to make the best choice as to what lubricant will work best.
If one visits Galibier's website, and does a little reading about thier bearings, and bearing principles in general, one will gain some good knowledge, that oil viscosity can be dependent upon bearing tolerances.
Tight tolerances will equate to thinner viscosity lubricants. A thin lubricant in a bearing with larger tolerances will permit bearing rock. As Galibier folks explain, using a heavy viscosity lubricant on thier bearings would most likely result in never being able to seat the bearing. The other problem would be an inappropriate lube for such tight tolerances, too much drag, and other problems.
I don't know much about Harry's (VPI) inverted design, but I gather the use of greases was used for a specific reason, and more than likely, gravity dictated that a lubricant was needed that would stay put.
VPI's greases were not meant to be used on thier older conventional bearing designs. Those bearings used, and still should use a high quality oil of the appropriate viscosity.
Then there's probably the more exotic designs, and in these instances, perhaps one would be smart to play it safe, and use exactly what the manufacturer recommends.
Mark
If one visits Galibier's website, and does a little reading about thier bearings, and bearing principles in general, one will gain some good knowledge, that oil viscosity can be dependent upon bearing tolerances.
Tight tolerances will equate to thinner viscosity lubricants. A thin lubricant in a bearing with larger tolerances will permit bearing rock. As Galibier folks explain, using a heavy viscosity lubricant on thier bearings would most likely result in never being able to seat the bearing. The other problem would be an inappropriate lube for such tight tolerances, too much drag, and other problems.
I don't know much about Harry's (VPI) inverted design, but I gather the use of greases was used for a specific reason, and more than likely, gravity dictated that a lubricant was needed that would stay put.
VPI's greases were not meant to be used on thier older conventional bearing designs. Those bearings used, and still should use a high quality oil of the appropriate viscosity.
Then there's probably the more exotic designs, and in these instances, perhaps one would be smart to play it safe, and use exactly what the manufacturer recommends.
Mark