Steering head bearings

[Ron Baker]

Pretty sure  my steering head bearings are shot. I'm getting popping noises when I turn the handlebars. I thought they were too loose when I bought the bike a year ago, so I had a fellow Valk owner who is a mechanic adjust them. Just how big a job is it to replace them? I'd rather replace them myself. It's a 99 I/S. Is there aftermarket bearings like All Balls that are better?. Any suggestions will be most appreciated.

[sandy]

There are aftermarket bearings but they are probably the same quality. Do a search for head bearing replacement. Look on You tube too.

[9Ball]

I replaced mine last summer when I went through the whole bike refurb.  I had bought the Honda bearing tools many years ago when they were available and it was a piece of cake to knock out the old races and install the new bearings.

You’ll need the one socket for the steering stem.  There are knock- offs sold on eBay.  There’s also a locking ring that the manual calls for replacement.  I’m sure others have re-used the old ones after straightening out the “ears”.

It’s a matter of removing the front wheel, fender, and fork tubes.  The handlebars need to be taken off...careful to pad the tank or have a second person to keep them from swinging down unexpectedly and denting the fuel tank.

The Honda service manual has clear directions for the work and follow the torque sequence specified.

I used the OEM bearings but the All Balls get some decent reviews.  Your choice.  I’m a fan of factory parts when available.

Good luck...

BTW, I just re-read your post.  The interstate is probably a bit more work considering you have the fairing.  Mine is a standard and much more straight forward.  I can’t help with the required effort for the I/S maintenance.

[98valk]

just replaced the bearings. I used OEM.  Just remember per manual the bearing need to be re-adjusted at 1k miles.  Amazing that the maintenance chart/section does not specify that, which would mean when new and after 1k miles they should be re-adjusted. This is why they wear out so soon.


http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,105991.0.html
replacing steering stem bearings at this time. I just made a tool today for the adjusting nut, not the top chrome nut.  An electric water heater element wrench, $7.27 Home Depot.  If any remember I also used one of these wrenches to make the Fork Tool.

The round end outside diameter is the same. once material is removed and you have your four tabs, the tabs need to be made thinner on the inside by removing some material to fit onto the nut.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-5-in-Element-Wrench-15016/205680998

The installation of the I/S triple clamps onto my std/tourer is completed. The electric water heater element wrench worked perfectly for the stem bearing adjustment nut. Used the service manual initial 30 ftlbs and then 12ftlbs.

[mello dude]

I did the job... the toughest part was getting the old bottom bearing off the steering stem. The rest is just taking your time and being precise about the work.

[Bagger John - #3785]

I had bought the Honda bearing tools many years ago when they were available

Are these discontinued?

Any alternatives available?

[9Ball]

Some pieces are available but they are spendy.  You’ll have to get lucky to put together a complete set.

I think Motion Pro might have some bearing tools.  With the right tools you don’t need to cut the races or beat them out with a large screwdriver and hammer.  There’s probably a lot of alternative methods in the tech archives.

[mello dude]

Some pieces are available but they are spendy.  You’ll have to get lucky to put together a complete set.

I think Motion Pro might have some bearing tools.  With the right tools you don’t need to cut the races or beat them out with a large screwdriver and hammer.  There’s probably a lot of alternative methods in the tech archives.

Since I seem to be the neighborhood sucker that will fix a bike for beers, I end up fixing a steering stem bearing set here and there, so  I bought a bunch of bearing tools a couple years back from Partzilla.

For some reason, I lost and could not find the frickn steering stem driver or it lost itself or I was drunk when I didnt put it away or... bleah. Drove me crazy, since I looked everywhere for it.....  So I bought a 2nd one...... Um, then I found the 1st hidden behind my torque wrench box.... more fine words were said... Anyhoo, now I have 2....
Its nice for the final driving of the new lower bearing on the triple steering stem.

Selling the first one, never used.... $35 shipped....

https://www.partzilla.com/product/honda/07946-MB00000?q_ref=07946-mb00000




Just showing fit over a spare VFR stem.... Lots of Honda stems are common... Valkyrie too.

[rug_burn]

That's exactly the kind of thing I'd do:  put it in a good safe place, then promptly forget where that place is.   

[Ron Baker]

Sounds good, thanks for info.  Guess I'll study up on the manual and get ready to do some disassembly