Removing the lower steering stem race.

[John Schmidt]

I understand it's a real joy, right up there with being kissed by your old maid aunt when you were about seven. I seem to recall a couple different methods being talked about on here in the past and would like to revisit that subject. What have you done in the past to remove that race, it's something I'll be facing in a couple weeks and don't really want to make a career out of it.

[roboto65]

John when you get the triple tree off take the lower to a machine shop they will have a press to press it off and it should not cost much. either that or a thin punch and work your way around it tll it comes off!!

[PAVALKER]

I believe I used a bent bar/punch or screwdriver, something that gave me the right angle, and worked around the race from the top of the neck of course. A good hammer helps too. Look in your tool box, you got something that will work, or that can be slightly bent to work it out I'm sure.

[fudgie]

I used the 'threaded rod w/ washer and 2 nuts' method. I ground a knife edge on 1 side of the washer to get it in there closer. Worked. To get them off my trailer I used one of dad blacksmithing tools. It was a long ice pick thing that had 2- 90 deg bends on the tip. Tip fit right in.

[Warlock]

I used the 'threaded rod w/ washer and 2 nuts' method. I ground a knife edge on 1 side of the washer to get it in there closer. Worked. To get them off my trailer I used one of dad blacksmithing tools. It was a long ice pick thing that had 2- 90 deg bends on the tip. Tip fit right in.

Used the same thing. 5/8" all thread with washer between 2 nuts.
David

[R J]

I used the 'threaded rod w/ washer and 2 nuts' method. I ground a knife edge on 1 side of the washer to get it in there closer. Worked. To get them off my trailer I used one of dad blacksmithing tools. It was a long ice pick thing that had 2- 90 deg bends on the tip. Tip fit right in.

Used the same thing. 5/8" all thread with washer between 2 nuts.
David

I used a 3/8 drive extension about a foot long.    My hardest part was getting them back in.   Couldn't find a socket that would match the race to my liking.   So it was new race in the correct direction, old race upside down under the new one, and I hate to say this on this board, but my big assed old Harley Hammer, used very aggressively on the old race.    Then to get the old one back out, I used the Harley hammer and a punch with a very sharp tip on it....  One smack and it was on the floor.

Now to clear the bugs and spiders out of my feeble mind, anyone got a picture of this 5/8" all thread, with washer between 2 nuts thing?   I can't picture it for some damn reason or another.     I can see the unit, but how the 4377 do ya use it.    Any pictures????????????????

[quexpress]

Now to clear the bugs and spiders out of my feeble mind, anyone got a picture of this 5/8" all thread, with washer between 2 nuts thing?   I can't picture it for some damn reason or another.     I can see the unit, but how the 4377 do ya use it.    Any pictures????????????????

http://www.goldwingfacts.com/GoldwingTips.htm
See GL1500 Lower Steering Race Removal. 

[roboto65]

That Goldwing page has some good stuff on there like the race remover great idea..

[John Schmidt]

OK, read the explanation on how to do it. I can't figure out why they come in from the bottom with that rod. Like RJ, I have trouble picturing the process in my alleged mind. Guess I'll just have to see it first hand when the time comes. A friend of mine uses a slide hammer puller and stuffs a wooden block wedge in there, said it's to keep the hooks from slipping off. Think I'll go to Harbor Freight and see what I can come up with.

[R J]

John, what I read over there now makes sense.      It just tells me there is a tiny tiny noth in there to get to that race.   With the washer thing, they are hoping that there is a small nitch between the race and the frame to get that washer in and hope it outlasts the race in removal.

So, do like I did, get all the grease out of the area, take a light, shine it in the hole and look for an indentation.    When ya find it, make sure your punch is on the race and put the Harley hammer to it..........   Man, let me tell ya, this is going back quite a ways, but if my feeble mind remembers correctly, that little notch would be, (setting on the bike) in the upper left of the race.    

[mirion]

I used the little browm cutoff wheel in my Dremel tool. Carefully cut a slot being careful not to go thru to much (a little nick in the outer race bore doesn't hurt) Once you are almost thru, a small whack with a chisel and the outer race will crack and it falls out. Just did it a week ago so its fresh in my mind. Attached is a drawing of the installation tool I made.

[fudgie]

John, what I read over there now makes sense.      It just tells me there is a tiny tiny noth in there to get to that race.   With the washer thing, they are hoping that there is a small nitch between the race and the frame to get that washer in and hope it outlasts the race in removal.

Thats why I ground a knife edge on 1 side. Washer was to thick to get in there.

[greggh]

I took an old tire iron the type with the hib cap flange on the end and heate it up and hammered it over enough to reach the bearing race and knocked it right out of the park.

[1FAST6]

There is a tool from Honda to remove the outer race from the bike frame.  I have one and would be willing to loan it out (you pay freight both ways and return within 2 weeks).  It makes quick work of the job.  Basically 2 semi-circles of metal with a flange and a bolt used to expand the two halves after inserting them into the race.  Then you just pound it out from the top.  I used the old race to drive the new one into place.  As for the inner race, that's another story.  I used a welding torch (acetelyne/oxygen) to heat a spot on the race red hot.  Then place the ball end of a ball-peen hammer on the spot and whack it with a big hammer.  That will expand it enough to slip it off, but do it before it cools.  Again, I used the old race and a piece of pipe to drive the new race on.

[RP#62]

Does anyone know the ID and OD of the outer race?  Need it to make the Honda style tool.
Thanks.
-RP

[Madmike]

I used a 3/8 drive extension about a foot long.    My hardest part was getting them back in.   Couldn't find a socket that would match the race to my liking.   So it was new race in the correct direction, old race upside down under the new one, and I hate to say this on this board, but my big assed old Harley Hammer, used very aggressively on the old race.    Then to get the old one back out, I used the Harley hammer and a punch with a very sharp tip on it....  One smack and it was on the floor.

Now to clear the bugs and spiders out of my feeble mind, anyone got a picture of this 5/8" all thread, with washer between 2 nuts thing?   I can't picture it for some damn reason or another.     I can see the unit, but how the 4377 do ya use it.    Any pictures????????????????

... if you have a bench grinder you can grind down the outside of the old race all they way around the OD just enough to give clearance so that it will fall out after you install the new one.... then throw it in the bottom drawer of your tool box so you have it for the next time you need it ....

[John Schmidt]

I'll see what kind of luck I have removing that bottom race. If the tool is needed, I shoot you an email.

[1FAST6]

Any luck with that race???

[John Schmidt]

Any luck with that race???

I haven't started on that project yet, waiting on parts among other things. Plus....been out of town most of the past week, just got back Monday evening. Maybe next week if I get all my stuff in...or at least that part of it. I'll be sure to post here as to my success...or lack thereof.

[Jeff K]

I just made a few tack welds on the ID of the race. It shrinks the races and then it just falls out.

[N0tac0p]

what kind of maintenace do you need to do on the steering / yoke bearings?  are we supposed to disassemble the front end and grease these?

[John Schmidt]

what kind of maintenace do you need to do on the steering / yoke bearings?  are we supposed to disassemble the front end and grease these?

I'll be installing a raked triple tree kit, which includes not only the trees but new bearings and races. The trees are the only thing not shiney on the front of the bike, these new ones are polished to die for. Also plan to change out the fork oil at the same time and do some rewiring of the running lights and some other stuff, should be ready for a nice trip north this summer.

[Warlock]

what kind of maintenace do you need to do on the steering / yoke bearings?  are we supposed to disassemble the front end and grease these?

I'll be installing a raked triple tree kit, which includes not only the trees but new bearings and races. The trees are the only thing not shiney on the front of the bike, these new ones are polished to die for. Also plan to change out the fork oil at the same time and do some rewiring of the running lights and some other stuff, should be ready for a nice trip north this summer.

Let me know how you like the raked front end. Was wondering if it handles better.
David