Heyup peeps.

Having a few issues with the front steering.

Replaced the headstock bearings with Honda OEM, steering was fine but didnt matter how tight they would still clonk/knock when i hit bumps in the road.

So like on my old VTR i decided to go the tappered bearing route again.
But the problems started...
At higher speeds lets say the beginning of three figures... the front wheel starts to wobble, any quicker it becomes violent and the feeling of loosing control.

So i thought either too loose or too tight.
First of all i tightened up the bearings, but on the first test ride whatever speed the bike statrted to sway side to side on the front.
Backed off a couple of times but back to square one with the violent wobble.

Front tyre has been replaced and wheel balanced, new wheel bearings etc but still remains the same.

Have even fitted another set of tappered bearings but to no avail.

Any ideas?
Whats the best required way of getting the headstock bearings tightened just right?

Cheers.

 

Wheel bearings, worn fork bushings, misaligned forks all could contribute to this.

 

If you arent getting the slop out of the steering head, you will need to do a close inspection to verify its is indeed sloppy. Im not sure about the hawk without looking, but on other bikes a spanner wrench and other tools are needed to set the upper and lower bearings into proper position.

 

Thanks for the replies.

Wheel bearings have been changed and i have double checked and reset forks.
Will have to inspect the forks bushes.

No special tools are needs to seat the headstock bearings in place on the hawk.

Looks like i will have to do a strip down again...

 

Cyber get a 1 11/16" 12 point 3/4" socket to torque the steering nut to the proper torque of 18 pounds. Sears carries it and costs approx. $15.00. Also, if you have the tapered bearings, got with them as they are superior to the OEM ball bearing style.

Make sure before you torque the steering nut that all slop is removed and be sure to turn the handle bars back and forth several times once you have reached 18 pounds of torque to be sure the bearing are not binding. The front of the bike needs to be off the ground to insure any and all slop is removed.

Also, double check the height of the forks when you install the upper triple. Very important to be sure that the forks are the same height.

Good luck.

 

Did you replace the bearing races or just the bearings?

 

Yep, make sure you do it with a torque wrench. I made a special tool to fit, but a large socket may work as suggested above.

Doing it by feel, as I have always done, was no good on the VTR. I was surprised how much tighter the factory torque setting is.

No more problems after that.

 

Thanks for the replies.
Yes i replaced races as well.
Looks like torque will be the only option.

 

yep, the races may need to be pressed in...better check them good cuz they could be smoked now

 

Check the front tire for irregular wear, low pressure can turn a tire in something dangerous.