Head bearings test...true or not

[RDKLL]

Someone posted about the high speed tank slapper that he survived and will be changing head bearings. I remember a hundred years ago (maybe not that long ago) but a way to test the head bearings: while the bike is on the lift, hold the handlebars straight and let go and let gravity take over and if the front end hits the stop and stays its good...if it hits the stop and bounces, thats bad...and need to be replaced

[Hook#3287]

I thought the manual states something like 5/7 lbs of resistance when the front end is lifted.

So the bars shouldn't move without a push.

[hubcapsc]

I don't know if there is any "easy" way to mess with the
steering head.



When I went back later and retorqued mine, I kind of cheated.

I jacked the bike up until the front suspension was neutral... wheel not lifted
off the ground, but pretty much no weight on it.

Then I removed the stuff (handlebars, top bridge, I don't remember what all) needed
to get to the steering head nut and lock nut and retighten them.

You could do this much and find out if your nut and lock nut are loose...

In my cheater plan, jacking the front end up to neutral was key, there
was no getting the top bridge back on with weight on the bike, there was
enough flex that I couldn't get stuff to line up...

-Mike

[Fazer]

Holy flying crap--  that looks like a lot of work!

[98valk]

Someone posted about the high speed tank slapper that he survived and will be changing head bearings. I remember a hundred years ago (maybe not that long ago) but a way to test the head bearings: while the bike is on the lift, hold the handlebars straight and let go and let gravity take over and if the front end hits the stop and stays its good...if it hits the stop and bounces, thats bad...and need to be replaced

didn't see that post, But I would believe it was a tire issue, underinflated or a bad tire, which would cause a tank slapper and not the bearings. these bikes are heavy with a good bias on the front wheel.

[..]

With the bike on the lift turn the bars side to side. A sensitive touch will feel any wear in the bearings as a slight "catch" or pause.

[WintrSol]

Also, while lifted, grab the forks at the axle and pull them side to side or front to back; there should be little to no sensation of clunk, which, if present, would indicate looseness or wear in the bearings.

[Firefighter]

My IS would hunt at 20 to 35 mph, could not get it just to go straight. Everything felt good at hiway speed, but slow down in town and I had to constantly move the handlebars, little steering inputs to ride straight. If I was tired it could be difficult.

When I lifted the front tire and steer it back and forth, could never feel any looseness or indexed spots, but when I removed the front wheel and especially the forks (took the weight off), wow! I could feel the indexed bearings then, felt like they had a spring and ball detent. The triple tree would almost lock into forward position. I replaced them and it cured that hunting problem. Bike had a little over 46000 miles at that time.

[..]

My IS would hunt at 20 to 35 mph, could not get it just to go straight. Everything felt good at hiway speed, but slow down in town and I had to constantly move the handlebars, little steering inputs to ride straight. If I was tired it could be difficult.

When I lifted the front tire and steer it back and forth, could never feel any looseness or indexed spots, but when I removed the front wheel and especially the forks (took the weight off), wow! I could feel the indexed bearings then, felt like they had a spring and ball detent. The triple tree would almost lock into forward position. I replaced them and it cured that hunting problem. Bike had a little over 46000 miles at that time.

Yep that's what I was getting at in my post.

Old Brit bikes were very prone to this at very low mileage.

[Firefighter]

Yea, I know it was Britman, I was just more windy than you!

[..]

Yea, I know it was Britman, I was just more windy than you!

I know.

I'm glad you posted your reply. Helps others identify problems.

[lucky_1_chris]

My IS would hunt at 20 to 35 mph, could not get it just to go straight. Everything felt good at hiway speed, but slow down in town and I had to constantly move the handlebars, little steering inputs to ride straight. If I was tired it could be difficult.

When I lifted the front tire and steer it back and forth, could never feel any looseness or indexed spots, but when I removed the front wheel and especially the forks (took the weight off), wow! I could feel the indexed bearings then, felt like they had a spring and ball detent. The triple tree would almost lock into forward position. I replaced them and it cured that hunting problem. Bike had a little over 46000 miles at that time.

Yup. All becomes evident with the weight removed.