Steering Head Bearing Removal
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Re: Steering Head Bearing Removal
Today I drove out bearing components from steering head. After removal, examination of the lower steering head revealed a ridge on the inner surface of the tube. Prior to installing a new race into this tube, how should I remedy this ridge? Also, I have read all of the comments regarding the driving out of the upper race. Because this is my first attempt, I want to be extra careful not to damage the mounting surfaces. There does not appear to be any ridge or surface upon which I can drift out the race. The image shows how tight everything is. It does not look to me as though there is enough meat there for me to get any purchase. Video attached. Any advice? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anlnDMBbITE
- ericheath
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Re: Steering Head Bearing Removal
Someone else will likely opine on the ridge— I don’t remember it, but if it looks machined, it might be fore a seal or dust plate???
The upper race will come out easily if you have a welder, just a few short beads will shrink as the weld cools and it will almost fall out.
On my first one, with no welder, I was able to get the curved spoon of a “semi-hook shaped” tire iron to catch an edge and tapped it from the other side.
The upper race will come out easily if you have a welder, just a few short beads will shrink as the weld cools and it will almost fall out.
On my first one, with no welder, I was able to get the curved spoon of a “semi-hook shaped” tire iron to catch an edge and tapped it from the other side.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
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Re: Steering Head Bearing Removal
This is my third attempt at posting this video. There appears to be some damage to the inner surface of the lower steering head. Also, this shows that there is literally no edge to catch on the upper race. Comments and advice are appreciated. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anlnDMBbITE
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Re: Steering Head Bearing Removal
The upper race is obviously for a tapered bearing. 75s didn't have those, so someone has been there before you. That ridge at the bottom is where he cocked it up and forced the lower race in crooked and it dug into the seat. It's not critical, but you could use a Dremel or other sanding tool to smooth off the ridge.
It's a little heavy-handed but you may be forced to use a long sharp chisel or punch or something to cut into the metal below the upper race so you can get a purchase on the race, driving it out from below. Or use said Dremel to cut a small relief so you can get onto the race.
It's a little heavy-handed but you may be forced to use a long sharp chisel or punch or something to cut into the metal below the upper race so you can get a purchase on the race, driving it out from below. Or use said Dremel to cut a small relief so you can get onto the race.
- Whiskerfish
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Re: Steering Head Bearing Removal
Linked in
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"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
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1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
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Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
"Yea I do dance awkwardly, and I am having more fun than you" Taylor Swift
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1984 GL1200 Standard
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
- gregforesi
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Re: Steering Head Bearing Removal
Well, Dremel tool with (several) small cutoff wheels to make a slice in the ring. Then hit it with a punch to break it. You will go through a lot of cutoff wheels on those hard races.
As I recall my 78 did have a slight lip that was just enough to catch the race so I could beat on it.
The lower bearing on the steering stem was tough as well. I finally had to break down and spend money on a bearing splitter. That did the trick.
As I recall my 78 did have a slight lip that was just enough to catch the race so I could beat on it.
The lower bearing on the steering stem was tough as well. I finally had to break down and spend money on a bearing splitter. That did the trick.
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1978 GL1000 (White Trash - 2012 BOTY
(If you want to discuss the Trashmobile, Webers, Rearsets, Clubmans, or other stuff then send me a PM.)
"Getting old ain't for sissies" - Phyllis Diller
"So how much you gonna spend to win that $5 trophy?" - Cyborg
- pidjones
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Re: Steering Head Bearing Removal
This is the tool that I have used on four bearing jobs. The washer has to be removed and flipped over every once and a while when it gets bent too much. Use a SMALL ball peen and just work my way patiently around with the washer on the small lip on the bottom outer race (from the top).
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
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1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
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Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
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