Steering bearing question.

[Gowing]

I'm curious to hear about how they hold up in general? I'm planning to replace my
steering bearings, with all balls kit. steering is not notchy, but wants to wander a bit, at slow speed and is getting worse. Anyway, when new, did they recommend a tightening of steering
bearing nuts at all? I'm curious about the 75's with the loose ball bearings top and bottom.

[robin1731]

I believe there is a torque procedure for the stem nut in the manual. Sometimes the old grease is just so stiff it causes issues. So taking them apart, cleaning, and a regrease fix it.

[zman]

The 1100 is 10 or 12 ft lbs (cant remember)the 1000 with balls may be different. another test is to have it on the center stand then raise the front wheel off the ground and from center let the wheel swing to one side and it shouldn't bounce off the steering stop, if it does it is too loose.

[olchris]

I believe the steering head bearing on 75's came out with a ball race type bearing and a roller bearing. Not sure but i have encountered it on a 75 frame and early 76 frame....

"All Balls" is a brand name in USA ??????? is it not??????? I dont know.... But lets not confuse All Balls company with ball race type bearings...!

On the occasion where i found a "ball race" type bearing i replaced it with a roller bearing because "logic's" suggest to me that the load bearing surface area of a "roller bearing" in operation is probably many times over that of a "ball race" bearing.. Considering the gross weight of these old bikes its no wonder "ball race" type bearing were deleted....

If your going the "concourse" path and want to stay original then it up to you....

If the wandering bothers you and your "blaming" the steering head bearings, either snugg/torque it up a bit or as Robin suggests pull it apart, inspect it.... If its a "ball race", throw it in the bin and fit a roller bearing IMO...

[Old Fogey]

The 1000 went to taper roller bearings for the 77 model year. These are different sized (larger) bearings compared to the early frames, for which you need the same as specified for the CX500 taper roller conversion.

[olchris]

The 1000 went to taper roller bearings for the 77 model year. These are different sized (larger) bearings compared to the early frames, for which you need the same as specified for the CX500 taper roller conversion.

You are correct !!! I now know that when i bought the wrong set by just clikcking the GL1000 tab and not doing the detail thing ( now still in the cupboard) then i reordered these..... http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/390558395650

[robin1731]

The 1000 went to taper roller bearings for the 77 model year. These are different sized (larger) bearings compared to the early frames, for which you need the same as specified for the CX500 taper roller conversion.

I thought it was mid 76.

[Old Fogey]

Model year change starts in October ( I think!)

[robin1731]

I say that because I've had two 76 models that each took different steering stem bearing kits.

[Old Fogey]

I guess anyone with a 76 needs to check out the sizes before ordering the kits, in that case.

[roncar]

There were lots (AND I MEAN LOTS) of changes during the 1976 production year. I found 7 different frame part numbers depending on when it was built (frame number,) where it was going (country,) and of course LTD's. Caution and research is required to insure fit (and or originality if that's important to you) for many parts on 1976 models. Any other year is not nearly as complicated, usually just country of original destination.

[Whiskerfish]

Some reading from Mike Nixon

http://www.motorcycleproject.com/text/shucking.html

http://www.motorcycleproject.com/text/s ... rings.html

[Gowing]

Thanks for advice! I was hoping this would happen.
Now I see why the 75 gl1000 is left off some, but not all vendors advertisements.
I must be careful or I will have an extra set or two lost in my garage.

[enrique dauner]

Somebody knows if the head bearings for the GL1000 1977 frame are the same size as the bearins for the 1978 GL1000?

[Track T 2411]

Yes, they are the same...