RVator:
in what type of surface are you looking forward to fly??

I fly in plain dirt mixed with little salt and sand!!, I fly in landīs end in BAJA mexico, OS la 40 still runs after 2 1/2 yrs, it has been in 4 different planes, now a days it flys a old timer "buzzard bombshell" no complains, after-run oil helps!
two magnuns in the club are gone in that same time, due to the terrain hte engines end up over heating, I guess litlle salt & saand are as though as it gets.- OS la 40 still holds itīs own.
certainly no ball bearing in the front but for your first plane you donīt need it and later I can bet youīll find a nice little plane for it!!