head bearings

[pioneer]

new to Transalps got a 600 1999.need some advice on replacing steering headbearing do you need any special tools?done it on one bike a long time ago made me .are honda parts the way to go or after market tapper roller bearings the way?any advice is welcome. nice set of forums guys. all so best way to wire heated grips?sorry if this has been told before as i said new to your site. thanks

[Lord Stig]

A long drift with sharp corners to catch the edge of the inner race, and a socket of the right external diameter to drive the new ones in. I use a Halfords one (~ £6) for that; can't remember the size but I can find out tonight if you want. The most difficult bit is getting the old inner race of the stem. If you have access to a Dremel and a cutting disc you can cut diagonally across the race. You don't need to go through - just far enough to use a chisel to crack the race. Getting the new one on can be a problem without a proper bearing driver; I find heating the race doesn't work because the stem cools it as soon as the two touch.

Taper roller versus ball? Balls are easier to fit because there's no danger of damaging the balls/rollers when drifting on the inner race. Rollers are a lot easier to tension though. Yen made a crenulated socket to fit a torque spanner, which must make it easier to do. That said it's all down to testing - you have to make sure the steering is smooth and easy without being too loose even if the torque figure is right. The taper roller bearings seem to be more sensitive to over tightening.

Hope that helps...

Stig

[pioneer]

cheers thanks for input think i will go for honda ones.cheers

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Hi and welcome

Theres a recent topic on this,
You will probably find that only the bottom bearing is shot, worth a check before ordering.
Bottom bearing gets a touch of heat from the engine, which is claimed to melt the grease, it also gets the bikes weight and any crap from the front wheel, also any moisture (from power washing etc) rots it. Check the lower seal too.
Probably best to stick with stock taper bearings.

Phil