Steering Head Bearing How to

[04Fizzer]

Originally Posted by mbodell

Of course, I actually grew up in Central Pa, so Rolling Rock and Yuengling are my two favorite local beers.

I'm not sure which is worse...rolling rock and yuengling or genny cream ale.

[Randomchaos]

So, finnally got the bike all back together today, and took it out for a quick spin. First off, damn the bike feels nice with the front fairing on it. Im very tempted to try to find a cheap but effective headlight replacement and going naked . Second, my front end wobble is still there, though minimal now, might just be in my head. Doesnt have that heavy feeling in corners anymore though. Going to get the front fairing put back on her tomorrow, and take her for a long test ride and see how she feels.

[jcaesar]

I finally got around to adding this to the sticky'd How Tos's thread.

[francsever]

How can you tell if the bearings are bad?? I have 20,000 miles on my 2005 and I get a lot of headshake if I let go of the bars, could this be caused by something else, I thought it was from a worn/cuppled front tire?? Th front end also seems looser than it did when new. Either way I have the bearings on order so I am going to replace them….figured tapered bearings are better than the stocks anyways. Has anyone found a replacement for the Yamaha tool, and where can you order one from, or is any other suitable tool??

[mbodell]

I found a tool for $8 that is made for dirt bike suspension adjustments. It also takes a 3/8 socket drive. I don't remember who makes it but both stores around me have them. You can also just use a set of channel locks.
You can tell the bearings are bad if you take it apart and they look bad or if you tap and pulsate the brakes going slow keeping you right hand on the triple tree to feel for play. Mine was only noticeable while riding and didn't really show up while testing for play.

[04Fizzer]

Originally Posted by francsever

How can you tell if the bearings are bad?? I have 20,000 miles on my 2005 and I get a lot of headshake if I let go of the bars, could this be caused by something else, I thought it was from a worn/cuppled front tire?? Th front end also seems looser than it did when new. Either way I have the bearings on order so I am going to replace them….figured tapered bearings are better than the stocks anyways. Has anyone found a replacement for the Yamaha tool, and where can you order one from, or is any other suitable tool??

To test your bearings:

1. Set the bike up on the center stand
2. Weight down the back of the bike (friend, cement mix bag, etc.)
3. Gently push and pull on the lower end of the forks (near the axle)
4. If you feel any movement, either your bearings are bad, or just loose

What Yamaha tool are you talking about?

[kevin_stevens]

Originally Posted by mbodell

I set the bottom race on the stem with the 1 1/4" copper pipe. This was the only one that gives anyone trouble. The copper pipe made it really easy. I did the ones in the frame with a really hard mallet. The bottom one in the frame would probably be easy with a large piece of copper that was the same size, but I just used a flat metal rod and tapped around the edge (carefully) to finish that one. The top one only required the mallet. I was afraid to do this myself, but after doing it, it wasn't that bad. It just took some muscle and patience. A set of metric allen wrench socket adapters will make life easier too.

Stupid question - how do you know when the races are fully seated? They just stop moving, or they make a different sound, or ???

KeS

[mbodell]

well the two in the frame you can tell by the line that they sit in. On the stem, I hammered it down until I couldn't freely move the seal.

[wavex]

Originally Posted by francsever

How can you tell if the bearings are bad?? I have 20,000 miles on my 2005 and I get a lot of headshake if I let go of the bars, could this be caused by something else, I thought it was from a worn/cuppled front tire?? Th front end also seems looser than it did when new. Either way I have the bearings on order so I am going to replace them….figured tapered bearings are better than the stocks anyways. Has anyone found a replacement for the Yamaha tool, and where can you order one from, or is any other suitable tool??

How I knew my bearings had an issue:
- 1) loose feeling when going over bumps/pot holes on the streets
- 2) "clunky" sound and loose feeling when breaking hard on front break
- 3) rust dark orange residue actually coming out of the bottom bearing (usually after washing the bike)

I had my local mechanic change the bearing for me and I paid $150 for everything, including the All Balls bearings... when I saw what was necessary to do it, I was happy I didn`t try myself
The bottom bearing was disgusting looking and my mechanic was suprised...

[francsever]

So I tore my front end apart and took a look at the original bearings and they looked perfect after 20,000 miles. But I have the new bearings so I am going to just replace them anyways.

The question I have is what seal goes below the steering stem bearing, do you reuse the old one or use the new metal one that came with the bearings??

For the spanner wrench I stopped by my Yamaha dealer to get some parts and asked if they rent tools out, to my surprise they let me borrow the spanner wrench with a $10 refundable deposit........I am really happy with that deal.

[mbodell]

Use the seals that came with the all balls bearings, the Yamaha one won't work.

[Fazer6PA]

Originally Posted by 04Fizzer

I'm not sure which is worse...rolling rock and yuengling or genny cream ale.

Awww c'mon! Rock and Yuengling can't be compared to Genny! Yuengling is great stuff. Grew up on it. I actually work about a block from the brewery...the older brewery.