Steering Stem Bearing Replacement - Help

[valk2128]

I have 17,500 miles on my 1998, bought her used last year with 14,000 miles.  I have noticed that when I pull in the driveway and hit the little lip of the driveway, I get a pop noise.  Sounds like the Steering Stem bearing to me.    Does this mileage seem to low for steering stem bearing replacement?

I have looked at the shop manual and was wondering if it is really necessary to remove the front wheel and fender to replace the steering stem bearings.

If you have replaced yours, I would appreciate all advice on how to do it yourself.

Thanks

[Patrick]

Before tearing this monster all apart, why not check the bearings.. raise the front wheel[jack stands under the engine guards will work], attack a spring scale to one of the forks and see how much it takes to start the forks turning.. It should be 1.5-2.2#.. They should also move freely and smoothly.. They can be adjusted quite easily if need be..

[roadmap]

i think it is your forks. i just bet with the low miles and year the fork oil has never been changed. you need to jack up the front tire. pull on the forks to see if any play is present.. i bet if anything it is just loose, needs to be tighten. i always do mine by feel. your choice, i just don't trust a wrench (ft.lbs). if you don't know when the last change on your fork oil. now the time. winter is here. one thing on fork oil i always put the min. amount. if there progressive springs in there 2 0Z less then the min. thrust me i been through plenty of seals. i followed the advice of other members here. it works for them and worked for me.

if your bike has more then normal dive when hitting the brakes (front) put you a set of progressive spring in. i did and so has thousands of other members with great results. 

my bike oct 1996  got  145,000 miles 4 or 5 set of seals, i think i got them right now, went through the year now no leak.
head bearings replaced at 85,000 miles or so never no popping just noticed it harder to steer. loose head bearings will cause more of a tire wobble at low and high speeds. you can find all this in the archives. and my bearings were busted all up and dry as marttini.
my thought on steering head bearings drop the triple and check re grease tighten again. change the fork oil. now you know remove the front tire. ask allot of questions members have been through it all
roadmap#5488 not sure but been around here for 10+ yrs. 75% of my problems i created go figure

[Madera]

It's Your Floating calipers moving around (Normal)

[fudgie]

It's Your Floating calipers moving around (Normal)

+1 

[PAVALKER]

From what you are describing, I doubt it is steering stem bearings.  As was mentioned above, it is quite likely your floating calipers.  However, it could be something within the forks (spring or damper) making a noise on compression.  Have you tried to simulate the noise while sitting on the bike and holding the front brake on, push the front end down?

It's winter time, and a great time to do some winter projects.  I recently removed the fairing and repaired the insert, removed the forks and replaced the springs, seals, bushings and fluid.  I also replaced the steering stem bearings..... and what is interesting is that it was indexed and had notches, but you could not feel it until all the other stuff was removed from the triple tree (fairing, wheel, forks etc).  At that point the actual index marks were felt when moving the triple tree back and forth.  Upon removal of the races I could feel the notches within when running my finger nail across the inside of the race.  However, when it was all together before I tore it all apart, I did not feel that notching.  The new progressive springs and suspension fluids (AMSOIL) really made a difference in firming up the front end (no more nose dive).  And the fairing is nice and snug now as well.

[Oyeaa]

Ditto   -   It's Your Floating calipers moving around (Normal)

[Patrick]

Upon re-reading your original post,, I agree with the others that your noise is most likely a caliper rattle.. You can probably duplicate the noise by wiggling the calipers..

[LadyDraco]

When I replaced  my steering head bearing it had well over 125k on it..

Steering head bearing

I would agree it's more than likely a caliper ...
Some times the forks can klunk...