Head Stock Question

[darkember]

Have notice a slight knock coming up through the bars when riding over rough surfaces. The steering is very smooth lock to lock with the front wheel raised. Have not been able to check the push pull to see if there is any lateral play as I need an accomplice. Does this indicate i need to adjust the head stock or is there something else to look at as well??

[Redthunder]

May need slightly tightening but in my experience at the stage you have described usually indicates replacement bearings required.

[darkember]

May need slightly tightening but in my experience at the stage you have described usually indicates replacement bearings required.

Humm, if I would be feeling any roughness on the lock to lock test I would totally agree to the latter part of your statement. At present that motion is completely smooth & free. Will wait for some more feedback before I start tearing the head stock apart

[Miztaziggy]

I found that when my bearings went, there was a slight knock when I applied the brakes. The steering still felt smooth from lock to lock though. Changed mine for tapered bearings and it was fine after that.

[darkember]

I found that when my bearings went, there was a slight knock when I applied the brakes. The steering still felt smooth from lock to lock though. Changed mine for tapered bearings and it was fine after that.

Ok if that's the case which ones should I go for. There are 4 different sets on this site.

http://www.wemoto.com/bikes/honda/vtr_1 ... -_sc36/02/

The ones from the USA seem to come with the dust seals as well.

[8541Hawk]

With the stock bearings, they will feel fine from lock to lock when loose.

The "knock" on the brakes is pretty much a sure sing they are loose.

You could try tightening them but in most cases what has happened is one of the "knocks" has driven one of the balls into the race hard enough to peen a small indent.

So now when you tighten them you have a "stiff" spot right in the center. This doesn't always happen but it does often enough to just order new bearings and do the job right from the start.

I would recommend the tapered bearings but have no idea where a good source for you to get them.......

[Redthunder]

Seems the general consensus is bearings need changing. I have found good results with Vesrah or Koso bearings.
Do not be tempted by the cheap £23 a set with seals from eBay...fitted a set of these last night to a mate's NC30..nasty !!!

[AMCQ46]

fit taper brg set. the ones from WEMOTO that I used came with dust seals as a full kit.

also look in the workshop section for one on my threads on how to set the tension with taper rollers. you cant follow the honda or haynes instructions as that will over load the bearings and cause a weave at low speed riding

[sirch345]

Before buying new bearings I would check no one has already fitted taper roller bearings, unless you know for a fact the original are still fitted. A good test is to tighten up the headstock. You will need to raise the front of the bike off the ground. Move the handlebars up a little on the fork legs, undo the top yoke bolts and steering stem nut to raise the yoke. Next tap the castellated nuts around clockwise to tighten the headstock up. Once you've removed any play, if the bearings are worn, a slight turn to the left or right then leaving go of the handlebars will see the steering self center.

Chris.

[carmanbikes]

Seems the general consensus is bearings need changing. I have found good results with Vesrah or Koso bearings.
Do not be tempted by the cheap £23 a set with seals from eBay...fitted a set of these last night to a mate's NC30..nasty !!!

Hi, What make where the nasty ones

[carmanbikes]

Here are son on flebay 380654640399 at £28.95 and also 190797308130 at £21.90 both look to be the same bearings

[darkember]

Thanks for all the responses. Will first check Sirch345's test to check if it is just a tension issue.

[sirch345]

Thanks for all the responses. Will first check Sirch345's test to check if it is just a tension issue.

I've just realised you will need to remove the handlebars as you have done a flat bar conversion, to gain access to the steering stem nut. When undoing that nut make sure you protect the petrol tank and surrounding bodywork, as that nut is done up tight, 103Nm to be precise.

Chris.

[AMCQ46]

biggest pain in the butt is trial and error setting the steering brgs after you have fitted flat bars!!!!! i ended up putting all the controls back onto the clip-ons till the bearings were set correctly, then put the rentals back on

[lloydie]

True it a right pita :-(