BEARINGS STEERING STEM

[de dee]

 
  It looks like the steering bearings should be greased every two years,  took mine apart and flat spots on the outer race,  so I have ordered new bearings,    Canadian price is $ 92.48    usa. price is $42.95,  each,   I put the old bearing with new grease back in and it is not to bad, so I can still get a few miles on it, till the new ones get here,.

[TANWare]

Is there a grease port or do the need disassembly and repack?

[CROSSBOLT]

Repack, reassemble. There. I beat De-dee on the reply!

Karl

[de dee]

if you grease it soon enough, before it is worn , you will not have to remove the outer bearing race,

[moparkid]

I've noticed a flat spot, like a "notch" when my steering is in the 12:00 position and have ordered new bearings. The dealer who assembled the bike said that was normal when I first noticed this a few years ago. From that time on I have and will continue to do my own work on the bike because that answer just seemed "wrong" and if that is their attitude then my safety is obviously none of their concern. Any pointers you can give of regarding disassembly of steering unit? Thanks!

[de dee]

I took the front end off, and the handle bar covers off , bottom one hung off to the side,  the shiney cover of the dash, off just push down on the plastic plugs center piece and lift out, and one screw at the bottom,  and pop it off,  next remove the brakes and light switches from handle bars,  then remove the bolt on the steering stem, watch for the shaped washer on bolt,   forgot,     remove wheel and fender then front shocks, then the bolt on the steering bar remove nut on top of steering then use biggest screw driver flat to remove next nut, use small hammer,  it will drop out so hang on to it,  I lined the pieces up to keep track of them,  then take the screw driver to remove the outer races upper and lower race,, tap lightly on each side to remove them ,,

 install the races with a socket sized to fit the new race outer edge but small enough to fit in the frame,  seat race all the way in, then reverse all your work to finish, I use full syn. grease in the new bearings,. 

[kneeslider]

Mine has this problem too.

Is there any needle bearings to replace the original ones?

[de dee]

Mine has this problem too.

Is there any needle bearings to replace the original ones?

  they are ball bearings,  not roller bearings or needle bearings, I think roller bearings are a up grade,.  if you can find the right size,. 

[kneeslider]

Yes, needle bearings are definitely an upgrade over the original ball bearings.

Ball bearing type races are susceptible to notching. Hence the needle bearings with their larger surface area will be more durable.

Can anyone share the size that we need for both the upper and lower head bearings?

[de dee]

lost the paper the sizes were on,.  when I went to a bearing shop  the said one bearing was found in Germany  was looking for another supplier and they did not give me a price after 3 days so I ordered mine at performance powersports.com    ,.  $ 4o.88   us dollars lower bearing ,  $40.32 upper bearing  plus shipping $ 18.00  14 days delivery  mine should be here 20 july,.   

[kneeslider]

The guy at my dealership quoted me RM180 supply and install. That's about USD45. Labour is cheap here in Malaysia.

I am assuming the bearings were sourced from China. Durability I cannot comment as I have not done it yet.

[de dee]

Yes, needle bearings are definitely an upgrade over the original ball bearings.

Ball bearing type races are susceptible to notching. Hence the needle bearings with their larger surface area will be more durable.

Can anyone share the size that we need for both the upper and lower head bearings?
[/quo

  I will have the size next week, new bearing will be in Wednesday,  I hope,. 

[moparkid]

Thanks de dee.....I guess it seems easy enough. What the hay....if all else fails I'll just box it up and truck it to the shop should I get in over my head. Any special tools needed that I might not have?

[de dee]

  basic tools only    ntn  top bearing # sfo581px1
                            ntn bot. bearing # sfo7a17px1      both say  japan ty  on them.    bought a new caliper and I get different measure ea. time,.  electronic caliper with digital display
 try again,.   top inner race   1.o24    outer race   1.852  inches
                  bot. inner race  1.376    outer race    2.166 inches
   I tried to close it  between ea. measure, and it resets, and it seems better,

[de dee]

  Installed the new bearings today,.   it took two hours to remove the old bearings ,  and three hours to install the new bearings and put the scooter together,.   this time I did not remove anything from the handle bars, I just leaned it over side ways,.  more of a mess with all of the lines in the way,.