Koyo steering head Taper Rollerbearings on NC29?

[Crazy_German]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CBR400-NC29-K ... 19ce2ee9ca

Hi guys, found that on "the bay with that e" does anybody has installed on his NC29? O
any thoughts of improvment on the bike. I´m at the point on my bike rebuild where I could build in the old very good conditoned bearings or go for something like that if its worth it.

[tanuki]

I've got a set, haven't fitted them yet.

Ask in general as someone has probably fitted them to a V4

[thunderace]

Koyo bearings were OE spec for Kawasaki in the 80s and 90s. I've got a few sets in the workshop for my Kwaks and Yams. Used them for years, only bought Pyramid ones for the GPX because my supplier was out of stock on the Koyo sets.

[Crazy_German]

so they didn´t make a big difference?

The thing is I want to install my front end at the weekend. So if taper rollerbearings don´t make a big difference i go for my OEM ones. They are in good condition and never made problems in the past.

[tanuki]

What do you mean make a big difference, they are bearings how much different can they be.

The tapers will perform better and last longer than standard ball races.

[Crazy_German]

Just ment something like they last longer. but how do they better perform?

[kiwi racer]

What do you mean make a big difference, they are bearings how much different can they be.

The tapers will perform better and last longer than standard ball races.

Thats not strictly correct . The only real diff is the load carrying ability and the lube used and the adjustment factor will influence the longevity more than the configuration of the bearing sets.
The head stock bearing on a bike has such a short range of movement .
Well thats what SKF taught me when i worked there anyhow.
Koyo is a Japanese brand of some repute and as such should be fine , i personally cant see a great advantage adapting to tapers as the plain bearing set is just fine for the bike .

[Davez29]

Changed mine recently, not Koyo but All Balls roller type. What I found is that the steering feels very light, as if floating, takes a bit of getting used to as there does not seem any weight on the front wheel, not good on corners although it handles just as good as before just very light. I might try re tightening them at a later date, hopefully adding a bit more of a heavy feel.

[thunderace]

Changed mine recently, not Koyo but All Balls roller type. What I found is that the steering feels very light, as if floating, takes a bit of getting used to as there does not seem any weight on the front wheel, not good on corners although it handles just as good as before just very light. I might try re tightening them at a later date, hopefully adding a bit more of a heavy feel.

They will need some miles to bed in. You should re-check the stem play after about 500 miles and adjust as required.

[Bertie]

i fitted some to my nc29, and they seemed pretty good. definately an improvement over the old bearings, but they had a very obvious notch in them so it would be an improvement!