Steering Head Questions

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

I am prepping my bike for my new triple trees so Ive got a few questions.  What size is the steering head nut for the top tree?  Once that is off, do I need a special wrench to remove the next nut?  My bike has 27k on it, will I need to replace anything with that mileage such as bearings?

[fudgie]

The chrome nut on top should be a standard metric size in any tool box. There is a nut under it also that you need a special socket for. There is also a 'tabbed' washer that might need replacing. Might as well replace the bearings while your in there. Esp if your new trees have none with them. The oem ones were a b!tch for me to get off. Bearings were not bad in price from All Balls Racing. Besure you torque them right. Also go back and recheck the torque after a 1,000 miles or so, give or take. I was surprised how loose mine were. I found it easier to check with the front wheel off. It added weight to the front.

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

The top chrome nut is bigger than anything I have so I wanted the size so I can just buy that one in particular. The new trees come with Honda replacement bearing and seal.  Where would I find the tool to get off the nut below? 

[Bob E.]

The top chrome nut is bigger than anything I have so I wanted the size so I can just buy that one in particular. The new trees come with Honda replacement bearing and seal.  Where would I find the tool to get off the nut below? 

I believe HDL sells the special tools.  I found one I could borrow, but I also had a local bike shop offer to lend me special tools with a deposit.  So that might be an option, or you could make one...it's just a large socket with 4 tabs kinda like a 4-wheel drive hub tool only smaller.  I forget the size, but if you search here, I know someone had posted how they made this tool.  The other special tool you will want will be the tool to remove the lower race from the bottom of the neck.  I bent a piece of steel to knock it out, but man, what a pain in the a$$!!  I would have been worth whatever cost to have the special tool.  I believe someone here had posted a home-made tool for this also.

[valk2128]

The Chrome nut on top is 30 MM.
I bought the special socket ftom Michael Judnic, he makes and sells the special socket. 
His price is $39.00 and that includes shipping.
Shoot him an email if your interested, his email is ehcycledude@yahoo.com.

[fudgie]

I used the 'threaded rod maneuvor' to get the lower bearing race out. I also had to grind a edge on my washer in order to get it in enough to hook the race. Then it came right out.

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Im really not familiar much with what is involved in removing the trees and servicing the steering head area.  Not sure what the "threaded rod maneuver".  So I will need a special tool to change my trees?  That sucks, didnt expect that.  I may have to check out the guy you got your tool from.

[fudgie]

The race is the pain to get out of the neck. Take a 5/8" by 2' threader rod, add a nut, then a washer not sure what size-1 1/2" maybe, -I ground the edge to make it narrow, add another nut to the rod. Now you can pound on the rod to get that lower race out. Other then that its not bad. Use a manul for torgue specs.

[Grumpy]

The top nut is 30 mm, and it takes a spanner to remove the nuts under the top tree.Auto zone stocks the 30mm socket.

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Thanks guys.  I got the 30mm socket and got the top tree off.  So any plain spanner wrench is all I need to remove the tabbed nuts?

[Bob E.]

I found a pic of the home-made steering stem tool.  As you can see in the photo, it is a 36mm socket that has been cut down leaving the 4 tabs.

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Hey Bob,
Did you make that?

[Bob E.]

Hey Bob,
Did you make that?

No, someone else did.  I just snagged the pic off the old Tech board in case I ever needed to make one.  I have a similar pic of a fork tool, too.  But unfortunately, I never snagged the pic of the lower bearing race puller that Fudgie was describing.