Triple tree bearings? the next project i really dread

well as some of you know i have just completed my fork seal project. my next project is my triple tree bearings. i wasn't planning on doing them but when my boss (36 years of riding and bike repair under his belt) played with my handle bars today. he noticed that the front end kind of locks into a straight position he told me that this is caused by ppl doing wheelies with the bike when they come down it causes the ball bearings to dent the racer and makes it feel like the front end locks into place. the kid who owned it before me i know for a fact that he would wheelie the bike all the time. I guess my question is should i do them? i really don't mind it that much it kinda acts like a steering stabilizer to me. also if i should do them how do i do them and wheres the best place to buy the bearings? should i go to Yamaha ?

 

I hate to tell you the bad news, but it would have been a lot easier when you had the forks apart!

I bought a set on E-bay....Actually they had the steering bearings, wheel bearings (front and back), fork oil and dust seals that I got for a bargain price.
The X has tapered bearings stock so I ended up just replacing the top one.

 

If you do a search you'll find threads on how to do the bearings.
You can buy them from pretty much any motorcycle place - there's a really good bearing company called AllBalls that even makes a kit for our bikes - you want to ask for SSY-500

 

Hey Kar, I do carry the tapered roller bearings for the fork stem in stock!:


Tapered Roller Bearings and Associated Parts:

Both original roller bearings (for XJ700, XJ900RK, and XJ1100 models) and kits to upgrade all other models to this style bearing are offered. The aftermarket kits that we offer use only the highest quality, precision ground and assembled high-speed bearings available, and include both upper and lower dust seals.

Tapered bearings offer a vast improvement in performance and durability as compared to stock ball bearings. Additionally, you can increase the ring nut torque value to a slightly higher (25-30 foot-pounds) as opposed to original, thus even further reducing slop and play in your steering. ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT YOU CHECK FOR BINDING AT ALL POSITIONS, INCLUDING FULL LOCK POSITIONS, WHEN CONVERTING FROM BALL BEARINGS TO TAPERED BEARINGS!


HCP1911 Aftermarket tapered roller bearings STEERING HEAD BEARINGS AND SEALS KIT, for all XJ550 models. Contains upper and lower tapered roller bearings and an upper and lower dust seal.
$ 35.00


HCP1912 Aftermarket tapered roller bearings STEERING HEAD BEARINGS AND SEALS KIT, for all XJ650 and XJ750 models. Contains upper and lower tapered roller bearings and an upper and lower dust seal.
$ 41.00



HCP509 OEM upper tapered roller STEERING HEAD BEARING, fits all XJ700, XJ900RK, and XJ1100 models.
$ 28.00

HCP4490 OEM lower tapered roller STEERING HEAD BEARING, fits all XJ700, XJ900RK, and XJ1100 models.
$ 28.00

HCP1913 Aftermarket tapered roller bearings STEERING HEAD BEARINGS AND SEALS KIT, for all XJ700, XJ900RK, and XJ1100 models. Contains upper and lower tapered roller bearings and an upper and lower dust seal. Note that originally, no dust seals were used on these models, and we feel it is a worthy upgrade to install these seals!
$ 31.00