steering questions

[ichambers]

So when my brother in law bought his 1979 GS550 the PO told him that these bikes instead of a steering stabilizer had a kind of flat spot in the steering to help keep it straight. So it holds at straight with slight side to side but just a little more pressure and you can feel it roll out of the straight wheel center position. I wasn't too sure about the truth in that statement. About a week later I bought a 1979 GS75L and it had the same exact thing. It doesn't seem to effect my riding, but am still wondering if this is actually a feature or if there is something that needs to be fixed. I searched the forum but either I am using the wrong terminology or there wasn't anything on the topic. Any input would be helpful, Thanks

 

[jsandidge]

Both of those bikes need new steering stem bearings. They should turn smoothly all the way through the range. The bearing races develop notches in them over time. With new bearings and races, the steering will feel much better. I fixed mine for the same reason.

 

[Guest]

Needs steering head bearings replaced-

 

[loud et]

Haha funny you should post this. As I started reassembling my 850 Project bike last week I found out mine has this magic steering "feature" also.
Funny thing is that it's dead center too.
Secret dealership option. Lol

 

[storm 64]

Definitely need steering head bearings replaced! I replaced mine last summer. What a big difference it made. Adam, get a hold of me, I have the "special tools" needed to make the job a breeze. There's a thread that details the procedure...

My Special Tool offer goes out to any upstanding GSR member.

 

[tkent02]

Dead center is the only place they ever wear.

 

[Steve]

This is why you have that notch:

If you have a Dremel Rotary tool with a heavy-duty cut-off wheel, you already have all the "special tool" that you need. Cut through the race in the frame in two places, the rest of it will be able to collapse a bit and will practically fall out.

Your two cuts could look like this:

Don't worry about putting a nick in the frame when cutting through the bearing race. It won't weaken the frame any, and it won't affect the operation of the new bearings.

.

 

[ichambers]

Thanks everybody for the input. Mystery solved. I will definitely get that fixed.