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Thread: Changing head bearings?

  1. #1
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    14th July 2011 - 10:03
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    Changing head bearings?

    Ok so my new bike has a lovely notch in the steering that needs to get gone.
    I'd like to save a few $ and change the bearings myself. It should be straight forward but I thought I would ask if there are any common traps you can fall into before I get busy.
    Cheers.

  2. #2
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    25th April 2009 - 17:38
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    The bottom bearing can often be very difficult to get off the stem. Make sure you get a new dust seal, because it's likely you will shred the old one getting the bottom race off. I just drifted mine out with a cold chisel, took a while, and had to be real careful no to nick the stem. Course mine was on there 22 years, so hopefully newer ones won't be as stuck.

  3. #3
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    17th July 2005 - 22:28
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    Top is easy as mate.

    For the bottom: As Bogan said, cold chisel.
    When I did mine I had to use a bit of heat too.
    I've also managed with two big flat blade screw drivers and levered the bearing up. Also involved heat.
    Life does not give you lemons, lemon trees do.



  4. #4
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    17th April 2011 - 14:39
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    Thumbs up

    And do not ovetighten your new ones.
    If you dont think everyday is a good day, just try missing one.
    Keep an open mind, just dont let your brains fall out.
    If you're not enjoying life, you're not doing it right.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by unstuck View Post
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    And do not ovetighten your new ones.
    Yea I've seen that done before, going to run with the torque wrench for that part me thinks.

  6. #6
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    28th May 2006 - 19:35
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    bottom one can be a bitch, ideally before using the other methods a puller but it's hard to get one that slots underneath the damn things otherwise get a mig welder and blob a bit of weld on it so the puller has something to bite on, the action of the welding often is also enough to braek any grip it has on the shaft too.
    apply crc or similar to the shaft so as soon as there's movement some lube can find its way in and make it easier.
    failing all this i'v e carefully got a disc grinder and cut the bearing vertically, don't usually need to go all the way before getting a cold chisel and splitting it
    be careful as a previuos poster said not to nick the shaft

  7. #7
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    Go to a bicycle shop, they will be able to pull it with a crown race puller.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by jellywrestler View Post
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    be careful as a previuos poster said not to nick the shaft
    Hate it when ya shaft gets nicked

  9. #9
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    A dude said it up there. If you know anyone with a stick welder, get a few blobs of weld on there. When the bearing cools from the welding, it will shrink a few hundredths and will come out piece of cake. Might even fall out.

    Just don't arc out onto your frame.
    Quote Originally Posted by sil3nt View Post
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    Fkn crack up. Most awkward interviewee ever i reckon haha.

  10. #10
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    25th March 2004 - 17:22
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    he's talking about the one on the stem, but as you say the lower bearing for some dumb reason can be the same dia as the frame. Welding it is the only real option. Then grind a couple of reliefs so the next karn in there in 10 years time can use a drift.
    If there is any rule for the inexperienced to keep in mind, it is that everything a reasonable, intelligent person should intuitively believe to be right will probably be totally wrong. Gordon Jennings June 1996; musing on airflow through a 4 stroke engine. . . . Damn fool things that they are.

  11. #11
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    Ok I'm probably just a lazy sod. Personally I'd strip out what you can and then front up to the bike shop with the stem when you go to pick up the new bearings. Most workshops will have a decent sized press. Basicly what takes them 2 minutes can end up taking you 2 hours
    To see a life newly created.To watch it grow and prosper. Isn't that the greatest gift a human being can be given?

  12. #12
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    eek

    Quote Originally Posted by spinergy View Post
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    Ok so my new bike has a lovely notch in the steering that needs to get gone.
    I'd like to save a few $ and change the bearings myself. It should be straight forward but I thought I would ask if there are any common traps you can fall into before I get busy.
    Cheers.
    I just been reading how when you torque them down that roller bearings have diffrent torque
    to old stye ball bearings

    Am thinking am going to have to learn alot about this as just brought accident damaged vfr 750
    Thats got wreaked front end

  13. #13
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    9th May 2011 - 11:33
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    Just got the Bike Dr to do mine.
    After Spinergy and I saw the specialised tools required to adjust the head (think two torque wrenches that have to be really thin, and yet do up 2 inch+ diameter nuts), we figured it'd be cheaper to get someone else to do the job.

  14. #14
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    23rd February 2007 - 09:47
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    Bit worried now..just stripped and cleaned my GSXR600 head bearings. Fitted the lock nuts by feel-so steering is nice and smooth-but no freeplay. Should I be worried?

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by SVboy View Post
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    Bit worried now..just stripped and cleaned my GSXR600 head bearings. Fitted the lock nuts by feel-so steering is nice and smooth-but no freeplay. Should I be worried?
    no free play in your steering?

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