alright regarding another issue I had someone suggested maybe the head bearing on my bike is bad... well first how would I check this?


second... under real fast braking at low speeds so basically as soon as I hit the brakes I stop I feel the bras click forward like a micrometer... which would appear to be from the head bearing... Is this normal? I can't move the bars forward and back any other time I've tried. Is it possible the torque is slightly off or what? it's kind've hard to explain without showing someone....

 

When you get the front end off the ground, you'll be able to pull on it and tell. It's better to take the wheel off first as well.

 

i have front and rear stands. how specifically do you suggest I check it? from what I read it seems to be fine that notches in the bearing are more of an issue...

 

You can feel a notch too.

To check wear and adjustment, grab both fork legs and pull back and forth. If you can feel play, you have one problem or the other. Obviously a front stand (either kind) won't work for this. You'll need to use a jack.

To check for a notch, move the bars slowly back and forth when the front end is elevated. You don't need to take the wheel off. You'll be able to feel the notch as you cross centered.

 

so 100% no problems at all shouldn't be any play at all right? any idea how much replacements cost and how much it'd cost? I imagine labor is gonna cost more... I've already checked for notches...

 

No play, no binding. If you're going to replace them, get tapered bearings. If you take them apart, keep in mind that you'll be dealing with a lot of loose ball bearings. Put a big box under the steering head.

 

went to the shop. isn't the head bearing. it's a fork seal. it's still sealing but will need to be rebuilt at some point soon and since I'll be doing that I'll upgrade with racetech ****