Steering head bearings

[5_19]

Apparently I am not the only one with this issue. Thanks to Disco  I got some off the tools  I needed to help with the work on the steering head bearings. Good news we NEED MORE TOOLS  . Two more would be nice. I used a TIG    welder to aid in removing the bottom bearing race. Honda has a special tool for that. The second tool is optional, our kit doesn"t have the correct size driver to install the lower race, I used the old race works just fine. A dremel is required to remove the lower bearing from the steering stem.

option 2: For steering head bearing work buy the parts come to Dublin and I will fix you right up. After I got this all figured out it takes about 3-4 hours. 

For more info see my post on the techboard.
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,27955.0.html
 

[Tx Bohemian]

Interesting stuff as I'm going to change my bearings/trees out soon. I see I need to do some more research.

How does the Honda tool to remove the lower race work?
I was under the impression it was like the old front bearings in a car to where with a long punch could knock them out from the top.

[Daniel Meyer]

Interesting stuff as I'm going to change my bearings/trees out soon. I see I need to do some more research.

How does the Honda tool to remove the lower race work?
I was under the impression it was like the old front bearings in a car to where with a long punch could knock them out from the top.

It's just *really* hard to get a bite on the bottom race...there is no slot/etc milled into the frame head to be able to hit the race from behind...you have to get in behind the lip and there's not much space.

[Tx Bohemian]

Interesting stuff as I'm going to change my bearings/trees out soon. I see I need to do some more research.

How does the Honda tool to remove the lower race work?
I was under the impression it was like the old front bearings in a car to where with a long punch could knock them out from the top.

It's just *really* hard to get a bite on the bottom race...there is no slot/etc milled into the frame head to be able to hit the race from behind...you have to get in behind the lip and there's not much space.

Thanks.

So how does the Honda tool do it?

[Daniel Meyer]

Thanks.

So how does the Honda tool do it?

No idea. Never seen one!

[hubcapsc]

So how does the Honda tool do it?

I wish I remembered all the details... I remember this:  it's easy!



-Mike

[5_19]

I think something like this would do a good job on different bikes

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_x_28030127-P_x_x?cm_mmc=CSE-_-NexTag-_-VALUE3-_-VALUE4&srccode=cii_9324560&cpncode=00-11708517-2 

or a tool like it. On my first go around I bend a large screw driver and tried using it for a punch, it was a no go and I  ruined a good tool.        I gave myself an A+ rating for trying!

[rainman]

may be a little late on this.b-----------ut i use a tuning fork like you would use on ball joints on your car when I changed the bearings on my roadstar and with about 2 or 3 hits with the hammer she poped right off and that was that

good luck 

[SideCar]

seen the spot weld technique that heats up the race and shrinks it, making it easy to remove?  a quick search on the tech board will give you some detail

[Valker]

Shrinking that one would only make it tighter. I LOVE the ball joint tool idea!

[SideCar]

I must be misunderstanding what's coming out if shrinking the race would make it tighter against something.  Haven't had that section apart on mine.

[Valker]

I must be misunderstanding what's coming out if shrinking the race would make it tighter against something.  Haven't had that section apart on mine.

The bearing that goes at the bottom of #1.
http://hdlparts.com/fiche_image_popup.asp?fveh=3477&section=148807&year=1998&make=HONDA&category=MOTORCYCLES&dc=2291&name=STEERING+STEM

[Houdini]

heats up the race and shrinks it

Um!  Doesn't metal expand when it gets hot; or is my memory completely failing me?

[SideCar]

Yep, but races shrink (or at least loosen up) when hit with a quick weld. I can't explain why, but it usually works.

[Disco]

As the hot bead, applied to a cold race, cools and shrinks, it pulls the race with it.

[SideCar]

Glad I know smart people

[Tx Bohemian]

may be a little late on this.b-----------ut i use a tuning fork like you would use on ball joints on your car when I changed the bearings on my roadstar and with about 2 or 3 hits with the hammer she poped right off and that was that

good luck 

Not understanding this...

Are you talking about removing the bearing (roller elements/ inner race) off the stem?  or the lower outer race from the frame? And if the latter, could you explain in a bit more detail how the ball joint tool works on this?

[5_19]

may be a little late on this.b-----------ut i use a tuning fork like you would use on ball joints on your car when I changed the bearings on my roadstar and with about 2 or 3 hits with the hammer she poped right off and that was that

good luck 

Not understanding this...

Are you talking about removing the bearing (roller elements/ inner race) off the stem?  or the lower outer race from the frame? And if the latter, could you explain in a bit more detail how the ball joint tool works on this?

I also fail to understand how a tool that big would help with removal of the lower bearing race!  ???
Key word most be ROADSTAR 

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

If I understand it right the pickle fork (ball joint tool) is to remove the lower bearing from the stem.

[Tx Bohemian]

If I understand it right the pickle fork (ball joint tool) is to remove the lower bearing from the stem.

Yes, I'm thinking that is what he is talking about too. 

BUT if it is to remove the race from the neck I'd like to know how because that is my next project on my bike. 
And what I'm reading here is it is not the easiest thing to do and this might be a unique trick to make it easier.

[5_19]

If I understand it right the pickle fork (ball joint tool) is to remove the lower bearing from the stem.

Yes, I'm thinking that is what he is talking about too. 

BUT if it is to remove the race from the neck I'd like to know how because that is my next project on my bike. 
And what I'm reading here is it is not the easiest thing to do and this might be a unique trick to make it easier.

I just did a '75 Goldwing last week. Took an old screw driver, heated it with a torch, bent it so it would catch and used a wooden handle to wedge it tight inside the tube. It worked!!! So that's what I will be using for now. The welding part also works, it's a PITA to setup for this little of a  job and not everyone has a welder handy

[Tx Bohemian]

I just did a '75 Goldwing last week. Took an old screw driver, heated it with a torch, bent it so it would catch and used a wooden handle to wedge it tight inside the tube. It worked!!! So that's what I will be using for now. The welding part also works, it's a PITA to setup for this little of a  job and not everyone has a welder handy

This is almost the exact thought I had to do (great minds, huh?) after reading all here and seeing what tools people use.

I take it you bent the screwdriver 90degs? Did you go in from the top or bottom?Or am I seeing this differently than how it worked?