steering head bearings

[killhogg]

getting ready to do a big service on my 88. are the head bearings tapered roller? it looks like they are on microfiche. saw steves how to on a 92. not sure if this is the right place to ask but i gave it a shot.

 

[joedrum]

im sure they sre taper but i dont know more than that on 1500

 

[Denver]

1100,1200,&1500's, steering head bearings are all the same

 

[C5Performance]

One of these days someone in Wisconsin will perform this job. I have all the special tools for pressing out, and re-installing new races (unless you aren't actually changing them).
It's so easy with the right tools I look forward to doing it.

 

[Denver]

Top race knocks out easily with inexpensive tool, bottom race is a different animal. I used old straight blade screw driver, bent about 1.5'' when red hot. Use this & hammer to drive out race, moving around race carefully, will get the job done. The press is nice on a standard, but hammer & driver are in order for dressers unless you remove the fairing. Good luck

 

[C5Performance]

Denver » Sat Oct 19, 2013 1:37 am[/url]":2viqfjoy]
Top race knocks out easily with inexpensive tool, bottom race is a different animal. I used old straight blade screw driver, bent about 1.5'' when red hot. Use this & hammer to drive out race, moving around race carefully, will get the job done. The press is nice on a standard, but hammer & driver are in order for dressers unless you remove the fairing. Good luck

I've got the two "flared" tubes for popping the races from the frame. These work on bikes with fairings.
The adjustable press would probably work to install the upper bearing but possibly not the lower. On GL1000 and GL1100 with a Vetter fairing it only takes 4 small bolts to remove the fairing.

Manufacturer website: https://www.parktoolmotorcycle.com/frame.html
Youtube video showing it in use: https://www.parktoolmotorcycle.com/frame.html

There is a Park Tool video on Youtube but the sound is very very quiet so you can barely hear them talking

 

[Denver]

Those are the tool's used on some of the bearing replacement job's in the past. Yes the press work's like a charm, on BOTH upper & lower races, but the removal tool did NOT do me any good at all on BOTTOM race removal. Race is smaller than steering head so your bearing removal tool is USLESS, so another tool becomes necessary. There are several on other sites as well as this one for a suitable tool that pleases you. Hope this is helpful Denver

 

[C5Performance]

Denver » Sat Oct 19, 2013 8:02 pm[/url]":3gqghwgp]
Those are the tool's used on some of the bearing replacement job's in the past. Yes the press work's like a charm, on BOTH upper & lower races, but the removal tool did NOT do me any good at all on BOTTOM race removal. Race is smaller than steering head so your bearing removal tool is USLESS, so another tool becomes necessary. There are several on other sites as well as this one for a suitable tool that pleases you. Hope this is helpful Denver

You make a great point. The tool used to press out races in frame will not work on lower bearing of steering stem. There is one now ($150!!) but at the time I purchased these, the tool was not available. I will be ordering it, since I have everything except that.

I don't build many bikes lately since the new business consumes all time and money, but if anyone from the midwest needs to borrow it, I'd be up for a road trip to help out.

 

[Denver]

Press I have, installs races. No press I know about to remove. But I haven't seen it all, and that's no BS. So we still have bang those bottom races out. Denver

 

[C5Performance]

Denver » Sat Oct 19, 2013 8:37 pm[/url]":dsvw89kb]
Press I have, installs races. No press I know about to remove. But I haven't seen it all, and that's no BS. So we still have bang those bottom races out. Denver

I sent the link earlier but here is the actual tool for lower bearing removal (pulling it off the stem itself).

Link:
https://www.parktoolmotorcycle.com/frame.html

The CRP-2 is a precision tool designed for quick and easy removal of lower bearings on steering stems. A fully adjustable head allows for independent positioning of each blade around most potential interferences such as steering stops. Universal design fits most brands and works with 1", 1-1/8", and 1-3/8" stems. The CRP-2 will accept steering stems up to 430mm in length.

Replacement blade: Part #1155-3

 

[Denver]

The race is in the bikes steering head, that needs the hammer and bent screwdriver. You don't need a special tool to take off the bearing either, other than a chisel & hammer to knock the bearing off the stem, that is easy. The race can be a bit of a problem to get out of the head.

 

[C5Performance]

Denver » Sat Oct 19, 2013 10:17 pm[/url]":r3gtc8xw]
The race is in the bikes steering head, that needs the hammer and bent screwdriver. You don't need a special tool to take off the bearing either, other than a chisel & hammer to knock the bearing off the stem, that is easy. The race can be a bit of a problem to get out of the head.

you can't use this tool? It works on the 1000 and 1100 frames. Never tried a 1500 ... yet.

 

[Denver]

Nope, that tool works great, on the TOP race. Bottom is smaller diameter than the neck. Making it a bit barbaric, but not that bad