Kymco GTI 300i Steering Bearings

[creaseuk]

 My GT300i People developed some alarming handling characteristics – it tries to ‘tuck in’ on low speed turns. After jacking up the front end,  turning the bars from side to side I diagnosed notched steering bearings needing replacement. The motorcycle was involved in a minor accident with the previous owner – I suspect this as the cause. Does anyone have any experience in buying and replacing steering bearings? I like the idea of switching to taper roller bearings I think they would offer better handling and I wouldn’t have to search for those pesky  tiny spherical bearings if I accidently dropped some during installation.  I have tried a quick search on line but cannot find any spherical or roller bearing kits. The Kymco dealer is asking $90 for both upper and lower bearings which is insanely expensive compared to aftermarket taper roller kits. If there isn’t a kit made specifically for the GTi300 where would I measure to see if a kit for a different motorcycle would fit? Thanks in advance.

[CROSSBOLT]

Timken Tapered roller bearings are probably the best bet. The rollers will be in a cage so you and I with our butter fingers wont drop any rollers! Get all dimentions by careful measurement and take them to your local industrial bearing/power transmission dealer (like Motion Industries) and see what the inside sales guys can find.

[Ruffus]

@creaseuk, did this last year on a LIKE 200i.
Took bearings and seats out, went to a PARKER Industrial store and searched together with the sales guy. Found a couple of roller bearings which fitted from OD and ID but were a little bit to wide/high.
So I had to lathe on the middle stem, to make them fit. It's possible but requires IMO a well equipped workshop. Getting out the seatings from framepart is a challenge too.

My opinion, take normal sphere bearings, some really tough / sticky grease and "glue" the spheres in to mount. Way easier than to go through this other hassle.

[CROSSBOLT]

@creaseuk, did this last year on a LIKE 200i.
Took bearings and seats out, went to a PARKER Industrial store and searched together with the sales guy. Found a couple of roller bearings which fitted from OD and ID but were a little bit to wide/high.
So I had to lathe on the middle stem, to make them fit. It's possible but requires IMO a well equipped workshop. Getting out the seatings from framepart is a challenge too.

My opinion, take normal sphere bearings, some really tough / sticky grease and "glue" the spheres in to mount. Way easier than to go through this other hassle.

Good advice. Better than mine!

[creaseuk]

Thank You both - thats at least a start. I think i will have to do some more research before i decide the option i take..

[CROSSBOLT]

Thank You both - thats at least a start. I think i will have to do some more research before i decide the option i take..

I know Ruffus' heavy grease technique works because I have done it! Sticky, heavy, nearly still stiff when hot grease.

[Faber32]

Same issue here, People Gti 125. Steering just developed a resistance in the movement at some particular degrees, especially when centered. It's as if it prefers to stay straight forward. The same "jerk" during movement it's at end of stroke both right and left. Honestly I'd like to try to do the job, but it's a real mess getting access to steering nut. Did anyone do the job or make a tutorial?
Scooter has 16k miles and 7 years. Do you think I should also overhaul the front fork? Thank you for help

[Faber32]

Hi guys. I have the bearings in front of me. They have 7 years and 16k miles. Honestly I looked for dents or scratches but I can't see none of them.
Do you think I can put grease and go on or they must be replaced?

[Ruffus]

@Faber, cannot say from distance how good or bad this bearings are.
IMO the "reddish" bearing is a suspect, there must have been water/corrosion been for while.

If you have them already out, renew this pair.
It's not a lot of $$ and you have peace of mind.
Though the upper seat is sometimes hard to remove, just cut it out with a small flex or Dremel-tool.

[Faber32]

Genuine kit is over 110 euro unfortunately.
Yes the lower is reddish I suppose because of water leaks and corrosion

[Faber32]

Hi everyone. I have a problem. Removing the lower stem race, the punch slipped and I hit the stem seat  Do you think is fixable with some filing and polishing? And also, do you know a technique to fit the new races without damaging them? In this Kymco they seat very deep in the stem, if I use the old race upside down as a press, probably it will get stuck again in the stem. Are there better ideas? The tool to do it is very expensive, thank you

[Faber32]

I sanded the ring surface, bringing it back to an approximately plane surface. I watched carefully all around, I don't see waves or roughness anywhere. But my question is: will very small irregularities alter the steering mechanics or create problems? I'd say that 70% of the ring surface is untouched like before, but in the remaining portion I used sandpaper so there could be irregularities. Can I install this stem anyway? Thank you

[Ruffus]

@Faber, yes, even if your bearing seat is uneven, it's covered, after you put the ring on it, by this bearings running surface. With sanding paper and on normal use you can't remove that much material.
So take a long fitting steel pipe or your old bearing and drive this bearing part home on your stem. Little bit of grease helps too.

Pls see att. torqe list