steering head bearings?

[porndoguk]

how do i diagnose this?

basically ever since ive had the bike there is occasionally a loud click, when i either sit on it or push the bike forward, being trying to locate the sound but its intermitant, however i got the feeling its the head set.

after getting the bike back on her wheels tonight i notice there is very small play, but enough play to concern me, if i put the front brake on, and push the suspension down it doesnt indicate any play.

after having my bike off the road for 3 weeks, whilst ive done forks and polished exhaust i am slightly worried and what are the costs involved and i guess its a forks and front wheel out jobby again!

or can u tighten up the top nut and hope that might help cure it for the time being?

[Yakama]

I noticed my steering head bearings were gone when I had the forks out to rebuild, when I turned the yokes from side to side I could feel that they were not turning freely.

It cost me £25 for bearings from ebay and a couple of hours to sort. its not that difficult a job, get a haynes manual and follow the instructions. It was the first time I had attempted to change them and I found it ok.

[hannakournikova]

ricky, i found mine where notchy. But agree with Yakama, not hard task, just make sure you have dust seals spare before you start

Yakama, i presume you got the taper type bearings? Thats the ones i got. Musc more used to roller type, but for the money... Pfffffttttt!

[Neosophist]

Taper bearings are good.. wemoto do them.

Notcheyness is a sign there shot.

If you have play you might need to tighten up the yoke. (doesn't mean the bearings are worn though)

Sure-fire way is to take the yoke off and have a look at the bearings, do they all rotate freely or are they pitted / worn?

[Yakama]

Yeah I got the taper type. Seem good for the money came with dust seals too.

Yeah mine felt notchy before I changes them

[Sligeach]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRVhPmb7qXo

best video i have ever found on youtube for replacing headrace bearings.

it does of course have the hardest part left out so to make you buy the DVD, but with the haynes, it is a doddle

it makes the job seem less daunting

[porndoguk]

cheers guys, will have a butchers this weekend,

need to get a torque wrench and suitable socket!

[MexicanGringo]

That click may well be from the swingarm linkage though, if it is you'l need to grease the pivot points where the bolts go thru.

[porndoguk]

That click may well be from the swingarm linkage though, if it is you'l need to grease the pivot points where the bolts go thru.

thanks gringo, ill check that and fire some grease in there, which type is the next dilema i have about 10 different types haha!

[Neosophist]

General Grease :-)

I usually use either Moly Grease or Red Rubber Grease on everything :D