Is this what indexed bearing means?

[John97]

I had a quick release clamp on my Memphis Shades batwing fairing break today. I was removing it and noticed my lightbar arms weren't exactly straight and in the OCD struggle to have everything lined up perfectly I ended up with my bike on the lift. That's when i noticed that with the bars straight ahead there is a definite notch. If I move the bars L-R it feels like a divot in the straight position. Matter of fact if I very slightly move the bars either way out of the detent and let go of them, they will center back in the detent on their own. This was not present early this year when I put new tires on. The bike has 72,000 miles.  So I have some questions...

1. Is this what an indexed bearing is? This is the only thing I feel, there is no roughness or catch anywhere but straight. I don't feel this with the bike on the ground.

2 This means the steering stem bearings need replaced correct or can I tighten them (probably not)

3. I was planning on replacing my fork seals, dust seals, bushings (if worn) and fluid this winter. I also wanted to install Progressive Suspension springs since they transformed my Magna but they seem to be discontinued. Is it a good idea to do these bearings while I have the forks removed from the triple tree?

4. I am seeing odd wear on my front Metzler Cruisetech that has roughly 5000 miles on it. The bike has never worn front tires like this before. They are lumpy, I think they're cupping. Would this bearing problem cause this wear?

5. I have tried to search and I get so many pages returned I'm getting confused. I didn't see anything in the tech page either so would my best course be to follow my Clymer manual or is there a better write up I'm missing?

6. I have a lot of tools, I've made tooling I didn't have like seal drivers. I rebuilt the forks on my Magna and replaced literally everything from the transmission on back on my Valk myself. I've never worked on stem bearings though. I have nearby access to a press. I think I can work through all of this save one thing. I have no tool or idea of how to set the steering head bearing preload.

Any advice, tips, warnings or guidance is much appreciated. Although I was just riding it today I'm thinking my season will be ending a little earlier than I planned. It will take me some time to acquire all these (additional) parts and more time to do all this work. Bummer.

[longrider]

Yes the bearing is indexed then. You should replace the bearings when repairing the seals as you only take things apart once.  You'll need a bearing separator for the bottom cone.  The bottom cup can be difficult to get out. although a blind bearing puller may work,  so I cover everything up with cardboard and tape and then run a 1" bead of weld along the cup.  It will shrink the cup and in a few minutes should just push out of there easily.  I tighten and turn the head back and forth multiple times then check for preload again.   set to the tourer specs. If I've missed anything well.. this is off the top of my head.

Warren

[John97]

Thank you for the reply. Hmm a welder I am not but I know a couple guys that are. Guess I need to see if they can get over to here to help me out. They have setups at their place with gas for speciality welding  but what you suggested, can the bead be done with one of those little portable Millermatic welders?

[Hook#3287]

I also am not a welder and I'd be concerned if I tried the welding trick, I'd mess it up and damage the neck.

$20.00 adjustable motorcycle steering stem bearing race removal tool would be my process.