Question re steering head bearings

[discotex]

Think I finally put it all together and have a good feeling my wee slide at Taupo earlier in the year might have been caused by way too loose steering head bearings.

Was a bit of a CSI scenario as I found it hard to believe the bike and tyres weren't up to knee down action and I wasn't doing anything special.

Clues:

1. I'd noticed a pulse under hard braking before I went down.
2. Shaun commented on how loose the steering head was (to turn).
3. Got the pulse checked out (suggested they start with the steering head bearings after some KB research) at the 12000km service. Turns out it was mega loose.

So after I got the bike back it was great. So much more stable and the pulse was long gone.

Only problem is I've done another 1000km and it's gone back as bad as it was.

So my question to KB is - Are the bearings munted or did the mechanic not adjust them correctly? Got a couple of days off work and am planning to take it back. Just wondering if I should be paying for the rework or if I could be up for replacement bearings.

[no-coast-punk]

The bearings are supposed to be re-packed/lubricated/adjusted pretty frequently. Sadly few bikes actually get this treatment.

When this doesn't happen two things can happen:

1) The bearing races find a way sit cockeyed inside the head. You can adjust them and things are OK for a short period of time. The pressure of the adjustment will soon cause the bearing races to sit normally again causing the slack all over.

2) Bearings have soft metal underneath the very thin layer of hard metal. Lack of lubrication wears through the outer surface hardened part of the bearing race. When the surface hardening goes away the wear picks up at an exponential pace.

Have them re-adjust the bearings. It's not really their fault but they may do it for free to keep you happy.

Keep riding the thing. If the slop returns quickly again the bearings are done and need replacement. If the slop doesn't return it just means that things are finally situated where they should be.

[discotex]

Have them re-adjust the bearings. It's not really their fault but they may do it for free to keep you happy.

Keep riding the thing. If the slop returns quickly again the bearings are done and need replacement. If the slop doesn't return it just means that things are finally situated where they should be.

Thanks will keep that in mind. I figure it's a 11mth old bike, been serviced properly and is still under 2 year warranty so if they're stuffed I shouldn't be paying. Will be interesting to see if the shop agrees.

[discotex]

Update... Called the dealer and they want to replace the bearings as they think they're stuffed.

Apparently bearings aren't covered under warranty but I've asked them to double check as they shouldn't have worn out unless I was pulling heaps of wheelies or something stupid like that.

Glad I reported the pulsing under braking at the 6000km service even though I had no idea what was causing it at the time (and that shop couldn't find the cause).

[Maido]

is the pulse under braking through the brake lever or just generally through the handlebars?

[discotex]

is the pulse under braking through the brake lever or just generally through the handlebars?

Nothing in the brake lever. When the bearings were adjusted it went away it's just a pain in the arse it's come back.

If you ride along about 15km/h and tap the front brake you can hear/feel the click through the bars.

[Shaun]

Stearing head bearing set up and tension, is about the most important part of bike set up in my mind, as a racer, if the stearing head is not set up correctly, it does not matter how good your after market or std equiptment may be, ya bike will be a bag of shite

[Bend-it]

sounds like the problem I'm having...2006 bike with 17000kms on the clock. I noticed the front brake pulsing under light-ish braking recently, took it into the shop and they couldn't find anything wrong with the brakes. The mechanic even told me that his bike had a similar behaviour!

Is this something that should be done under warranty, seeing as the bike is only 2 years old?

[discotex]

Stearing head bearing set up and tension, is about the most important part of bike set up in my mind, as a racer, if the stearing head is not set up correctly, it does not matter how good your after market or std equiptment may be, ya bike will be a bag of shite

Totally agree. Was a night and day difference in feel when it was tightened up.

sounds like the problem I'm having...2006 bike with 17000kms on the clock. I noticed the front brake pulsing under light-ish braking recently, took it into the shop and they couldn't find anything wrong with the brakes. The mechanic even told me that his bike had a similar behaviour!

Is this something that should be done under warranty, seeing as the bike is only 2 years old?

My bearings are being replaced under warranty as soon as the parts are in the country. That might be because I reported the issue at the 6000km service though.

I'd do what I did and try find a way to replicate the problem consistently. For me it's riding along slowly and giving the front brake a good pulse - i.e. enough to make the suspension dip. You can feel the click when you do that.

[Bend-it]

okay, thanks for that... I'll have a chat with the shop...