Head bearings

[SteveWilko]

The @ failed its MOT on Friday.... head bearings and choke cable....
Is it normal at 25k miles to have head bearings start knocking?
I thought a little prem myself... but then I don't know what the previous owner did with the bike for sure.... judging by the condition of when I got it, he had looked after it very well... so i don't suspect he was popping wheelies or doing stoppies....

[Lord Stig]

It depends - the infamous power washer syndrome could be to blame. 25,000 miles is not unreasonable, though I would have expected to get twice that under normal use. I've had to change them after as little as 10,000, but that was because of adamaged lower seal....

Stig

[SteveWilko]

It depends - the infamous power washer syndrome could be to blame. 25,000 miles is not unreasonable, though I would have expected to get twice that under normal use. I've had to change them after as little as 10,000, but that was because of adamaged lower seal....

Stig

Thank you Lord Stig....
What is power washer syndrome? and how can it affect head bearing?

btw... I never power wash my bike.... it strips the decals and paint off..
Hot soapy water and a basil brush....

[Lord Stig]

You should be fine with your method of washing - a good use of Basil!

Power washers can force water past the seals, so water gets into the bearings. The grease doesn't do what it should and gets emulsified etc. Normally it's the wheels that get it the worst. Not so many people make a point of cleaning around the headstock, but it can happen.

Yep, best to stick with the Basil....

Stig

[SteveWilko]

It depends - the infamous power washer syndrome could be to blame. 25,000 miles is not unreasonable, though I would have expected to get twice that under normal use. I've had to change them after as little as 10,000, but that was because of adamaged lower seal....

Stig

I would have expected around the same... I guess the previous owner could have killed it with kindness if he used a power washer... the bike was in great condition when I bought it.... show room condition in fact...

I did have the bike stolen once by local kids and they took it to waste ground to try and ride it.... the good old AT spat em into the mud and fell on top of them... it was witnessed by a local biker....
I guess some damage could have been done around that time...

[Phoenix]

Whilst the bearings may be knocking it could just be the head race nut is just a wee bit loose and needs a small tighten. I would have thought that under normal use the bearsing would last a bit longer.

[Hagrid]

Confused from Chichester Wrote... :

Ummm.... What's this 'Washing' the Bike thing then... ? ;O)

(If Id wanted to spend Sundays cleaning a Bike I would of bought a Harley!)

:o)

[SteveWilko]

Confused from Chichester Wrote... :

Ummm.... What's this 'Washing' the Bike thing then... ? ;O)

(If Id wanted to spend Sundays cleaning a Bike I would of bought a Harley!)

)

Ciao Ciao
Fletch

2001 RD07 AT - 'Black of Course' ) <----IN A VARIETY OF SHADES
http://jortw-bike.blogspot.com/

[Chad]

try nipping the nut up a bit , then with the front wheel off the ground move the bars slowly from left to right and if the action is smooth then they're ok but if the bars seem to move in stages the they is fooked

i would say at 25k its more down to adjustment

[Hagrid]

2001 RD07 AT - 'Black of Course' :o) <----IN A VARIETY OF SHADES

Not adverse to the odd Rust coloured bit either... :o)