Fork bearings

[CasaJones]

I'm trying to decide if I want to do the fork bearings or not.

In short, is it worth it?   The bike is in pieces now so it would just be one more thing on the to do list

Thoughts?

Thanks

[don_vanecek]

I would say so, once you taken it apart you will see that all the factory system consisted of is nothing but a bunch of loose little balls just sort of stuffed in there.  I think most of us do this to solve head shake, I still had a head shake even with the new bearings until I finally had the new bearings tightened down correctly.

I put a bunch of the balls in my tool chest and I'll be darn if they don't escape from time to time, saw one on the garage floor just the other day!   

[QBS]

This is a no brainer.  Not only yes, but Hell Yes!  It's the most critical,bang for the buck, improvement anyone can make on any MC chassis originally equipped with ball steering head bearings.

[musicweb]

Is it shown somewhere what is needed to replace these fork/steering bearings?

Is there an easy check to see if they have been done?

I have no play fore and aft, seems to handle OK, except for grabbing the tar cracks in line with the wheel while I'm riding. Pulls slightly when it happens, but not bad.

[don_vanecek]

grabbing the tar cracks has a lot more to do with the brand of tire you have on the bike.  My current Avon Roderiders don't get grabbed hardly at all compared to the Dunlap 505's I previously had.

[musicweb]

Yes, I agree.....

I have new tires coming this week.
Bridgstone Battleaxes

The current ones have some minor cracking where they were sitting for 3 years.
Don't trust them....

[Night Vision]

Is there an easy check to see if they have been done?

take the top clamp and bolt off, loosen and take off the steering stem nuts, take off the cap and take a peek

Is it shown somewhere what is needed to replace these fork/steering bearings?

I think there was a post, but the pictures are probably long gone....
it's a labor intensive job, bit the only special tools you'll need is a brass drift from harbor freight or similar...

find out if you have them/want them... and we can talk ya through it

the BT45's are good tires.... what size front did you get?

[musicweb]

OEM front and rear.

90/90x18 front
110/90x18 rear

There was a 100/90 on the front, but they did not list it for the bt45's.

Manual said 90/90 OEM.

Will I regret the size change back to OEM?

[Night Vision]

yeah, I figured the 100/90 were no longer.... my brother got one from DK... it was lumpy and they sent him a 90/90

some folks like the heft of the 100/90, but I like the skinny tires. I have the 100/90 on one Vision and prefer the 90/90 setup on the other. The 90/90 doesn't fall into the turns like the 100/90

I don't think you'll have any regets.

[musicweb]

One thing I did notice when I did the fork seals.

When putting it all back together, the manual says to torque the front wheel bearings to 80 ft lbs.

Seemed like a lot to me.....

BTW, the fork that was leaking had about 2 ounces left in it.....

[Rick G]

The 90 90 was the OEM tyre for the '82's  It was changed to 100 90 for the '83' . I prefer the 100 90 , its steadier in turns.  Your mileage may vary.

[CasaJones]

I found the link for the Fork Seals and the How To links

RickG posted this:    
Steering head bearing info.
« on: March 30, 2002, 09:36:05 PM »

NightVision and others posted the How to do it in this one:    
Replacing tapered roller steering stem bearings - need advice
« on: July 21, 2006, 02:02:20 PM »

Looks like it will be a fun one.  I'll make the bearing order when I get a chance...or more$$$$$ :D :D ;D

[inanecathode]

Tapered bearings are so much better than ball bearings. I can understand why they did ball bearings, but they're no good for side loaded applications.
If you put ball bearings into the steering head of a modern bike you'd be drug into the street and beat with a fork tube.

[tibeee87]

OFF: please write for me in pvt  if you have a service manual ! THX!!

OFF