Drifting the steering yoke bearings

[Anonymous]

I have pulled the yoke off my 1980 GS850L, and I'm having trouble getting the inner race for the lower yoke removed. It's the race that is still inside the steering tube on the bike frame. Any tips?

Also, I haven't started to remove the outer race from the lower yoke, and if there are any issues/suggestions there, please include any advice as warranted.

Much thanks.

[duaneage]

There is a tool that is used to remove the lower race. I is flaired and split into two or three ends so that when you slip it up inside the head tube it expands and allows you to drive the races out.

If you are a patient person you can work your way around the loweer bearing tapping it from above until it is out. you must be careful not to damage the seat in the headtube or you know what will happen.

The triple tree bearing is another story. They are pressed on and will probably need a shop to assist there.

Some may disagree but considering the tools, effort and precision to change the berings I feel it is a shop job.

[Anonymous]

If you or someone you know has a mig welder you can just run a bead around the race being careful not to weld it to the steering head, it will just fall out once it cools.

[Anonymous]

Got the race out. I used a pry tool that looks like a large screw driver with a bend/angle near the tip. The bend was just right to to get it right in place. A few taps on the race and it was out in a jiffy. And no damage to the seat in the head tube. I think.

Best.