never even looked at a Vara's head bearings but I would say most people's experience is that OEM honda bearings as good as any, or if you can get the bearing number then a proper bearing factors should be able to get them too.

Pitfalls... I would epxect the vara to be no different to any other bike and it will be right ******* to get the inner races out the headstock and the news races may need heating to fit, along with either a bought or home made special tool of some sort.

My advice based on experience is find a mechanic you trust and pay him to do it.

Good luck though:thumbright:

 

I believe there isn't a huge difference in the costs between beaings unless you are buying a set in a Honda box. Bearings have to comply to international technical standards so you are pretty safe certainly if you stick with big names like SKF, Timken, NSK etc. if you can read the bearing size from one of the races then it's possible to go in to a bearing stockist like http://www.bearing-supplies.co.uk/index.html
and get what you need.

As far as doing the job is concerned, it shouldn't be any more difficult than say changing the wheel bearings on a car, however, if you think you might not have all the tools or the confidence, any decent workshop should be able to do it. Not the best person to advise, although I'm an engineer, I haven't done this in over 30 yrs so not on a modern bike, though how much can headstock bearings have changed .

Did it recently on my 03 with 60k kliks on it and it made a big difference, so much so that I nearly dropped her pulling away from the workshop , suggest getting the forks flushed out and new oil at the same time.

 

Genuine Honda ones from David Silver for £29?

I'm sure you could source NSK bearings from somewhere cheaper? I'd go to my local dealer who would give me a set cheap! As for removal, big hammer and a screwdriver! Haynes manual would keep you right.

 

Ordered a complete kit from here
http://shop.marksman-ind.com/index.asp
£25 delivered, and they're tapered roller bearings.
I'll let you guy's know how I get on with them when they arrive

 

Anyone know where the best and cheapest place to buy steering bearings is? also is there any pitfalls to look out for when changing them, Thanks

I replaced mine using genuine honda bearings they come in 3 parts and are easy to fit cost about £25 for top and bottom bearing from my dealer. Changing them is easy peasy it's getting the correct set up that takes the time