Steering head bearings. Wish me luck!

Finally getting around to replacing the steering head bearing on the Seca. The Maxim also has a nice notch so that's next.

Here are a few photos of my progress .

The dis-assembly commences.



I know, it's ghetto. But it works.



Finally will get a chance to remove the remaining factory clear coat and make these shine a bit more.



Right now that's as far as I got. My shock absorber spanner wrench was no match for the tightness of the locking nut so I'll be at this again a bit later.

 

Biggsy...this is what I used:



I have an older model that is hinged and worked perfectly...a quality bicycle shop should have any number of different types...it's called a "Bottom Bracket Tool" this one is made by Park Tools and costs about $13-$20ea. Get yourself two and bingo...it's a piece of cake.

 

This is what my spanner wrench looks like now:



I got the nut loose with a punch and a hammer. Actually came loose with a few gentle taps, not too bad. I'm sure the Kroil helped.

On a side not here are some before and after shots of my ignition switch:





Not only will I have good bearings I get to fancy up a few things.

 

I have a quick question. I got the lower race off and as far as I can tell this is as much that comes off. Is this correct? That "seat" stays on I would think.



Now we wait for the cold to do it's magic! Hopefully the wife doesn't see this.

 

Great pics and looks like it's going well.
Could I ask a favour? Any way you could post a close up of the new steering bearings showing the numbers on the races? I live in Ireland and have difficulty getting parts here. It would help greatly.

Thanks in advance and good luck. :wink:

 

I will but I am pretty sure chacal will ship items overseas. He can set you up with whatever you need.

 

Dust seal. You need two:



Upper bearing:



Lower bearing:



All Balls is the brand. The same part number is etched onto the bearings. Hope this helps.

 

Got the triple tree back in. Now to start reassembling all the other stuff. After I polish up the forks of course.

 

Good work!

How does the 650's horns attach? I may copy the install now that my 750 cowl/headlight are toast.

 

Great pics Brad.

 

Thanks for the pics.

I'm off bearing hunting this weekend.

 

Remember that each bearing and race are a matched set. The races are very similar but not interchangeable.

 

Shiny! 8)

 

mmmm.... those are some sexy forks!

 

Brad,
What was the process for getting the forks so shiny?
Can they then be left bare or is an application of new clear coat recommended?

 

Paul, I used Aircraft stripper to remove the remaining factory clear coat and the polished them by hand with metal polish. Magic Mix is the brand I use. The I follow up with a coat of wax. I'm not sure if they should be clear coated again but since I don't plan on riding it in winter and getting road salt on it I hope it won't be an issue.

 

Almost back together. I need to bleed the brakes, put the headlight back on and re install my fork brace and hopefully it all works good.



After all that work I thought a teriyaki burger and raspberry lemon-aid margarita were well deserved.

 

Nice plate!

P.S. don't forget to put the caliper hoses back into their holder thing-a-jigs.

 

Yep, did that after dinner.

Now wouldn't you know after 32 years my fuel petcock decides it would be a nice time to leak. :x Got everything all buttoned back up, fired it up and I smell gas. It's dripping from the petcock when vacuum is applied. Well I guess I won't be taking it for a test ride tomorrow.

 

That's the way it goes. Murphy's Law as we call it.

But congrats on the job as a whole, forks looks great and it can only handle better than before. Polishing looks really well.

Well Done!

 

So today the petcock didn't drip. :? I didn't do anything except rotate it through its positions a few times. I'm going to swap it with one from a friend's parts bike and see how that works since I don't feel 100% confident that mine won't leak again. If that doesn't work then I'll be getting some more goodies from our favorite parts guy.

And speaking of Len, I get an email from him with an order quote for a new petcock and related parts/repair kits. Talk about being pro active. He's the best!

Here's a pic of the handle bar area all back together and freshened up. I'm working on the labeling with you know who.