Original wheel bearings?

I am preparing a Seca 750 for a new home, new tires and such. I find the front wheel bearings tight, not grinding, just not smoothly, easily turning so am changing them out. I find the installed, single sealed bearings with the metal seals toward the center of the wheel, not facing out towards where I would expect contamination to come from. The outward facing portion was open. Would it come from the factory installed like this and why? I acquired the bike from the original owner with 23k-ish miles, a friend of the wife's family and find it unlikely he would have done such, not a mechanic.
Any thoughts from those who have been in original equipment, unmolested bikes? It will now be receiving double sealed bearings.
Thanks for the input, this isn't critical info but I am curious.
John

 

i would assume thats so they can be re-greased from the outside , there should be dust seals to keep the elements out.

 

Oem bearings would have been rubber seals.

 

20k is about the time to consider replacing them