My new GSXR - Steering

**The Stranger:Me** · 8th July 2006, 18:32

Well ok it's not new, but preloved.
Ok after the excellent results with Robert Taylor on the X11 I swore that first thing I would do to any bike I get will be get it at least resprung. So pulled out the forks today ready to be sent off to Hawera on Monday.

With the bike off of the ground I turned the steering and it felt rather crunchy. Ok maybe it is a faulty damper? well I doubted that was the cause of it, but had to eliminate that, so whipped the damper off (well I removed it anyway). The steering is still rather crunchy. So out comes the lower triple clamp and steering shaft.

There was a lot of grit in the bearings and on closer inspection a heap of swarf collected in the bottom of the steering head. Thank you Suzuki.

Now I suspect I know what is happening as described in the 2 points below but want to confirm none the less.

1) The lower outer bearing shell is dull grey where the bearings run and there are small transverse marks where the bearing would have rested when the steering was straight. I assume that this dullness is the case hardening breaking down and the small transverse marks are accounting for the crunchiness and that the bearings need replacing.

2) When the steering damper shifts direction there is a very distinct click and no damping at all for a few mm (say 3-5mm) I suspect that this also is not good and either needs rebuilding or replacing.

**Cajun** · 8th July 2006, 19:07

Can is is very common for the steering dampers to have sweet fuck all oil in them(some have own to pretty much have none in from factory)

Best bet is empty it and refill

Use 20w fork oil, the best and simple way,

1) remove the the small allen key head on the damper.
2) push damper backwards and fowards, remove all old oil
3) put damper in a ice cream continer or simlar, full enough to cover damper with fork oil
4) start pumping the damper, until you get no more air bubbles
5) put small allen key head back on again. under

and your done.

There are other ways(less messy but this by ways i all read the simplest, other methods is using syringe and like.

I am about to do this with our 3 gsxrs

**The Stranger:Me** · 8th July 2006, 22:16

Thank you for that. Will give it a go.

**2much** · 9th July 2006, 01:18

Originally Posted by CaN

there are small transverse marks where the bearing would have rested when the steering was straight.

WHEEEELIES!!!

Me thinks that your gixxer may have performed a few wheelies in it's past life. It happens. New head bearing will sort it.

**The Stranger:Me** · 9th July 2006, 09:01

Originally Posted by 2much

WHEEEELIES!!!

Me thinks that your gixxer may have performed a few wheelies in it's past life. It happens. New head bearing will sort it.

No I doubt it, it's LooseBruces old gixxer. He doesn't do wheelies does he?

**Drunken Monkey** · 9th July 2006, 10:04

Hey CaN, what year is the Gixxer? I have a spare factory damper for a Y model or similar you can use to either test your theory and/or buy off me.

**sAsLEX** · 9th July 2006, 12:58

Originally Posted by CaN

No I doubt it, it's LooseBruces old gixxer. He doesn't do wheelies does he?

yeah i doubt it

**The Stranger:Me** · 9th July 2006, 15:22

It is a K3. I would be interested if the one you have is suitable and in good nic. Please PM me with a price if it is compatible.

**The Stranger:Me** · 9th July 2006, 15:23

Originally Posted by sAsLEX

yeah i doubt it

Oh my god!!!

It was advertised as one careful lady owner.

The bastard!!

**onearmedbandit** · 9th July 2006, 15:52

One out two isn't bad. You choose which one is which.

**loosebruce** · 9th July 2006, 16:36

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

One out two isn't bad. You choose which one is which.

LOL OAB.

Yea im must've been used to the TL and never noticed the head bearings on the GSXR, But then again i did think that they were doing awfully well for the year it was in my possesion, sorry CaN new bearings on the way this week mate.

**Drunken Monkey** · 9th July 2006, 16:47

Originally Posted by CaN

It is a K3. I would be interested if the one you have is suitable and in good nic. Please PM me with a price if it is compatible.

It's the one in this thread:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/at...7&d=1138304875

Try it first to make sure it's what you want/is compatible. Then worry about what its worth to you. I won't ask much for it. No point buying it off me if it doesn't fit or doesn't fix your problem.

**The Stranger:Me** · 9th July 2006, 16:47

Originally Posted by loosebruce

LOL OAB.

Yea im must've been used to the TL and never noticed the head bearings on the GSXR, But then again i did think that they were doing awfully well for the year it was in my possesion, sorry CaN new bearings on the way this week mate.

Thank you sir and absolutely not a problem.
I got a fair idea how you ride, that's why I kept the another bike as well.

**cowpoos** · 9th July 2006, 17:25

I have a steering damper for your bike you can have...free...it works purfectly...I just finaly got around to huckin ma ohlins on me bike...PM me if ya want it...and we'll sort sending it up