All Balls steering head bearings

Hey gang! I have a question, hoping someone else has run into this situation.
Installed new tapered bearings from All Balls in place of the stock ball bearings. Everything went smoothly, but now that I am reassembling I only have enough room on the top of the stem for one nut, no lock nut. This seems weird, but I've had it apart and back together 3 times and that's it.
I have the seals installed on each bearing, but that only adds 1mm to the overall length...
The races are all seated nicely...
Do they only use a single nut after the tapered bearings are installed? I doubt it...

 

Just doing some reading and thinking I left the bottom race for the ball bearings on the stem... Would this race look like part of the stem? Looked like it was machined right onto it, but now I'm thinking maybe that's the problem. Comments?

 

The lower race should be removed.

 

K-moe's right, and I know what you mean: I was nearly convinced it was machined in as well. It is in fact a separate piece.

 

Please post the year & model of your bike in your signature.. Easier for us to help you knowing that information....

Here is a pic of a triple tree on my 1982 XJ750J Maxim. Obviously, my balls have been removed...on the bike that is !!!!!

You may have left on the the very lower steel race causing your problem as you mentioned....study the picture....

It takes some work to get that lower race off.....be careful & do not ding up the tree....take your time.....

I replace my original ball bearings with tapered bearings from All Balls but I bought a lower profile of the upper bearing from Chacal....

Let us know....

 

If you have steel piece at the bottom of the shaft that has a concave lip around that balls could roll on, then yes.. The race is still there.

 

Yep, the bottom race for the balls is still on. Didn't have time to even look at it last night, but yeah it's definitely the issue. I'll tackle it tomorrow morning.

Hey, while we're on the subject- Anything I should address while I have all that apart? Front wheel is off, forks are out, etc... Everything looks fine, but maybe I should grease the wheel bearings or the speedo drive or something? No issues with anything, but just thinking while I'm in there.

Thanks guys!

 

I would re-grease your front wheel bearings or at least check them.....How are your dust & oil seals for the front forks ???

 

OK. Yes I glanced into the front bearings when I took off the wheel and thought I should give them a little love before I button it up.
Dust/oil seals are surprisingly good for a 33 year old bike.

 

Maybe a splash of paint on the tree? It'll never be easier than when it's in pieces.

 

It would be a good idea to regrease the speedo drive. I did mine the other day. You can just work some grease into the mechanism, but it's easy to remove the circlip and pull the washers and the gear out for a clean and a proper regrease. It doesn't take long.