Sorry to join the party so late. Especially since I was mntioned in the first post! D'oh!

Anyhoo, as I said in my e-mail, I have never replaced a rear wheel bearing. I usually put a B-210 axle in straight away when I get a 1200.
As for the flare wrench, I've tried to make one before and had no luck. Perhaps it was because I was only willing to cut up a cheap wrench, maybe if I started with a good one, I don't know. Usually someone before me has rounded off the corners and I have to resort to the Vice Grip method.
Ain't it funny how the Japanese tighten everything as if it were a head bolt?