Steering Head

wally · Posted: June 29, 2007, 3:20 pm Post subject: Steering Head

Can anyone share the easy method to tighten the Steering head Bearings.
Thanks

KYLEPRESTON · Posted: June 29, 2007, 3:25 pm Post subject: Re: Steering Head

ARE YOU STILL RUNNING BALL BEARINGS OR THE THE TAPERED ROLLER BEARINGS?

wally · Posted: June 29, 2007, 3:32 pm Post subject: Re: Steering Head

Only had bike six months
I can only presume they are ball bearings

rwreed · Posted: June 29, 2007, 3:42 pm Post subject: Re: Steering Head

Probably should replace with tapered roller bearings. Available at Mike's XS.com.

Big difference in handling.

Slim

rwreed · Posted: June 29, 2007, 3:43 pm Post subject: Re: Steering Head

Probably should replace with tapered roller bearings. Available at Mike's XS.com.

Big difference in handling.

Slim

KYLEPRESTON · Posted: June 29, 2007, 4:20 pm Post subject: Re: Steering Head

The upgrade is nice to the tapered roller bearing but I know shipping to australia is hard. If you are going to keep the ball bearing make a line of bearing grease on cardboard take then out 1 at a time and place them in bearing grease 1/2 turn toward you and put them in the grease. do this for the top and bottom. the ball bearings have a tendency to form flat spots from wear back and forth. the 1/2 turn gives new round areas to work with.
clean out the old grease. and dry off put plenty of new breaing grease in the grove in the top and bottom of head. place the balls in grease with the new round top side facing up in the groove. put back together and tighten to spec. I don't have the manual with me to check what is good.
You might also consider putting on a front fork brace and or an aftermarket
steering damper. especially if you have spoke. you should also check to see if you have loose spokes that can affect handling.

good luck kyle

5twins · Full Member Joined: Aug 05, 2006 Posts: 1616

It's only easy if you have the right tools (hook spanners). Then there's the question of the proper tension. This is a "wrench and ride" thing with rollers. Adjust, test ride, re-adjust, etc. until you get it right. Rollers are set tighter than balls. No specific setting (torque) is given, you just have to fiddle. And oh yeah, install a grease nipple in the neck while you have things apart.

wally · Posted: June 30, 2007, 3:09 am Post subject: Re: Steering Head

Great Thanks
Can you indicate were to locate the grease nipple
A pic would be great

Thanks

INXS650 · 650Rider Supporter Joined: Mar 22, 2007 Posts: 645

John likes to run his alittle tight. He says it helps with the high speed wobble, but does make slow speed turns alittle more of a challenge. I would think you could locate the grease nipple anywhere in the steering head.

5twins · Full Member Joined: Aug 05, 2006 Posts: 1616

Mine is midway down the right side of the neck. You want to pick a clear spot where cables and wiring wouldn't rub or grab at it.

If you have an older model with the steering lock in the neck then you will need to drive an old wine bottle cork up into the bottom of the triple tree pivot tube. If you don't, all the grease will go out through the lock hole and fall out the bottom.

pelski · Posted: July 16, 2007, 2:34 pm Post subject: Re: Steering Head

is there a lower seal that comes with that bearing kit...or do you do away with it??

KYLEPRESTON · Posted: July 16, 2007, 2:40 pm Post subject: Re: Steering Head

the bearing itself makes the seal along with the stem of the neck

just FYI

Kyle

What Happened to 650rider.com?

Yamaha xs650