Ready to adjust steering bearings

[houstone]

Anyone got  some pointers?  I have a manual, new lock washer and Honda socket tool is on the way.
Thanks!
Jeff

ps  I love my Valk!  ;-)

[cutter]

Are you sure you don't need to replace the bearings? I replaced mine about a year ago. I didn't have the honda tool and managed OK. I did snugged it up a while back. I have an I/S and all I did was to pull the bars and removed the top of the tree and snugged it up. The reason I did it was because it was begining to fall to easy to the side. No problems since.

[Rocketman]

Jeff:
Glad to see you made it over here. 
You could get some pointers in person on Saturday, if you didn't regard your kids as more important than your Valkyrie.  I thought you said you love it!

I've never done that job, so I can't actually help, I can just throw in comments from the peanut gallery every once in a while.  Sorry.
I'm sure some folks here can help out.  I think Cutter's suggestion to just replace them sounds good, though.  Reportedly a bearing failure can be rather difficult to detect, and since you're working on them anyway...

Mark

[houstone]

I took the bearings out, cleaned, repacked and torqued 'em up.  It has been fine, but lately I have noticed a "click" again.  Wasn't too bad, but I wish I had just replaced them.  If anyone wants to borrow the tool, in the Houston area, just let me know.
Jeff

[Daniel Meyer]

If they are indexed, they will cause the valk to "hunt", no matter how carefully you adjust them.



Pointers for adjustment are to get the tool (doesn't have to be the honda tool, there's a guy on the 'wing board that makes a beautiful one), and follow the manual exactly. The Valkyrie is extremely picky about this adjustment. Too loose and she will shimmy, to tight or indexed and she will hunt and feel unstable on wet pavement.

[SideCar]

And, a good fish scale works for measuring pull if you don't have something fancier.

[Valker]

Pointers for adjustment are to get the tool (doesn't have to be the honda tool, there's a guy on the 'wing board that makes a beautiful one), and follow the manual exactly. The Valkyrie is extremely picky about this adjustment. Too loose and she will shimmy, to tight or indexed and she will hunt and feel unstable on wet pavement.

Daniel, (or others) what is the tool? I know I need to replace my bearings (I have new ones) but am very nervous about doing this. I have new fork seals too. I have a leaking one and figured to do both bearings and seals at the same time. I have the fork tool.
I am such a mechanical technotard about stuff like this.
BTW-Hope to see you next weekend at GOTF. (With my leaking seal and indexed bearings ;-)