Steering head bearings
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Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,611
From: Belgium, WI
Steering head bearings
So, my bike started making a "knock" when the brakes were applied. I assumed that the bearings got a little loose and needed a little adjustment. I tightened the steering head and now it has "autopilot". I have had some luck with tightening bearings up before, but word to the wise, if you do not have the spares sitting around, let it knock. Now its parked until Tuesday when the parts come in. Oh well, it was about time I did some maintenance to the bike.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 963
From: Sunshine Coast, Australia
I found the bearing very hard to set by feel. I had a couple of goes at it and the bike wasn't right. My advice is to buy (or make lake I did) a special tool and put a torque wrench on it. I had no more problems after that.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,138
From: Austin, Tx
Replacing the neck bearings is crutial to proper handling. The more "tuned" you are the more critical the tolerances. When Greg did my forks I replaced the stockers with the conical bearings from allballz. What I was not prepared for was the settling of the bearings as they have aged. I have tore the triples off three times to retorque and only get a few thousandths per adjustment but it significantly changes the suspension when this play is removed.
You're right it is a knock over uneven pavement that gives you the clue.
You're right it is a knock over uneven pavement that gives you the clue.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 562
From: NYC
Ya got pics of that tool? I've always had a hard time getting the torque on the steering bearings right.
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SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 562
From: NYC
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 347
From: S.Dak USA
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SuperSport
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 642
From: Sioux Falls, SD
+1 to this. Service Honda emailed me back that those special Honda tools go straight to backorder, and I wanted my bike put back together, so I went down to Sears today and picked up a 3/4" drive 12 point 1 11/16 socket for $20 and an adapter down to 1/2" drive for $7. Worked perfectly.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,934
From: altoona, pa
I over-tightened mine and rode for several months until some head shake forced me to take it apart and redo the bearings. There was so much difference when I tightened it correctly that I had to take it apart again to see if it was too loose, but it was fine. Just tap firmly with large screwdriver/hammer until it stops, turn steering back and forth to make sure there is no resistance. Note where you're at and loosen again. Then re-tighten and you should end in the same position with the same result in terms of turning ease. that's my experience.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 562
From: NYC
+1 to this. Service Honda emailed me back that those special Honda tools go straight to backorder, and I wanted my bike put back together, so I went down to Sears today and picked up a 3/4" drive 12 point 1 11/16 socket for $20 and an adapter down to 1/2" drive for $7. Worked perfectly.
I'm a little confused about this tool description - are you talking about sockets for the stem nut on top of the triple clamp? I'm looking for tools, spanner wrenches, for the the two collar nuts (correct name?) that sit below the triple clamp.
Is there an alternative to buying a set of spanners for $35?
To anyone who's bought a set of spanners ... did you have any trouble with them fitting the nuts? Anything to look out for?
Thanks!
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