Steering stem bearing pics.

[Larry D]

I rode over to my friend bwringer's today. He most graciously offered to help me change my fork springs and oil. We also changed the steering stem bearings.

It was a great day and the front of my bike felt mucha more better on the ride home !! Here's some pics, we stayed so busy I didn't take to many.



After teardown.



New upper race installed, with a hair or something....


bwringer's fingers greasing up a bearing.


Back together and ready to depart the best bike shop in Indianapolis.
Thanks Brian !!!!!

[twr1776]

Jeez, did you have to take Brian to the ER? I usually draw blood when I am wrenching but not that bad. I smell an inagural BC run. Wazz and I made some big progress here last night so there might be three "maidens" at the next Brown County outing.

[Larry D]

No, we made it through with no need for hospitals. Just a couple knuckle cuts here and there, but, you'll have that.
The front felt solid. It was a nice change from the CLUNCK !!! when hitting a nice bump in the pavement. The front springs diving under hard front braking is virtually gone, much better !!!

[sschering]

Are the stock bearings just plan ball bearings or a taper type?

[Larry D]

They were tapered.

By the way, the spot on the garage floor under the right side of the bike in the last pic is remnents of cleaning and lubing the clutch cable.

[mighty13d]

Yay for new bearings!!!

[Suzuki mad]

Last set of head bearings I did took 2 hours to drift out. Like you coloured grease.

[bwringer]

My angled punch "tool" (a cheap pry bar with the plastic handle bashed off) has been through three or four other steering stem bearing changes and couldn't get a grip on the lower race until I dressed the tip with a Dremel tool.

Once we got that sorted, the races clanged off the floor within five minutes.


That red grease is the really sticky waterproof kind -- I use it for steering stem bearings, swingarm bearings, kickstand pivots, etc. Good stuff.


The original bearing races were only lightly dimpled, but there were roller marks all the way around and they were very loose for some reason. They would have been horrifically notchy in a few thousand more miles.

I think Suzuki used softer steel for their bearings than the aftermarket bearings. I replaced the steering stem bearings in my GS850 about 75,000 miles ago, and they're still in great shape.

[Griffin]

Based upon some things I've seen, I think Larry's bike suffered a lot of wheelies during a previous life.

[Larry D]

According the po, he and his father-in-law was trying to get the bike to start many years ago, by pulling it behind a pickup truck.
I'm sure that had alot to do with the front end being jacked up. After he told me that his father-in-law fell over, broke his collarbone and the po, who was driving the pickup, dragged the bike down the street..it explained the damaged left side of the bike.
After that episode it passed through a few different owners in it's damaged, barely able to run state and I'm sure saw more abuse.

But she runs like a scalded dog now !!!!

[BassCliff]

Hey Brian,

When can I come over?

I'm glad you guys had a good day in the garage.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[wazz]

Jeez, did you have to take Brian to the ER? I usually draw blood when I am wrenching but not that bad. I smell an inagural BC run. Wazz and I made some big progress here last night so there might be three "maidens" at the next Brown County outing.

There doesn't ALWAYS have to be blood, but some people.......

Tim's fleet is coming together very well and we have made some progress on my project, even got in a short shakedown last week. Still some issues to address, but she lives.

So when is the next BC scouting adventure?

-greg

[Griffin]

Weather permitting, Aaron (areid) and I are heading down there this coming Saturday. Anyone else is welcome to come on down.

Should be fun, he'll be on his "new" GS1000N and I'll be on my "new" GS1000G.

[twr1776]

Brett, I spoke with Brian today and he sounds in for a run. Hopefully if the weather cooperates Wazz and I can be there as well. My 850 will not be ready yet so I will have to "slum it" on one of the others. C'mon Weather

[duaneage]

I got a lower race out with a slide hammer fitted with a wide hook attachment. I went in at an angle, straightened it to set the hook, and it came out with two yanks.

I used Park's waterproof bicycle grease for the bearings, it is perfect for this application.