stiff steering

[Northernex]

Hi;

I've recently taken my 1981 out of a 25+ year storage and put it on the road. I've been noticing that it's hard to keep it going in a straight line at low speeds. I'm wondering if perhaps the bearings in the steering head are at fault? I've checked the front tire for abnormal wear and the tire pressure.

How big a job is it to get at the bearings and lubricate and/or replace?

Northernex

[bonanzadave]

I'm wondering if perhaps the bearings in the steering head are at fault?

Could be. Did you put some fresh tires on ? I (we) would not advise riding on old tires no matter how good they look.

How big a job is it to get at the bearings and lubricate and/or replace?
Northernex

Youll need some specialty or home made tools to drive the bearings and races out of the upper and lower stem. All balls has the steering bearings you want. http://www.goallballs.com/Bearings_seals.asp?page=STK

[Steve]

Put the bike on the centerstand and prop it up so the front wheel is off the ground. Turn the handlebars, checking for the effort necessary. If they are stiff, that is likely your problem. It's not very hard to remove the steering assembly and service the bearings. I would venture a guess that, after 25+ years, that grease just might need to be replaced.

Also, after 25+ years in storage, I would certainly hope that you are changing a few other things like TIRES, BRAKE FLUID, OIL, GAS, just to name a few. There is just NO WAY that you can simply take it out of storage after that amount of time and safely return it to use without a fair amount of work.

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[Northernex]

25 years in storage

I had the oil changed, gas, of course, and new battery. Had to have the gas tank lined because of rust, and front tire changed. The rear showed no signs of aging. I did have the bike "serviced" two times during that 25 years and started it two or three times -though I didn't put it back on the road till last fall. I did not change the brake fluid -sure glad you told me about that!! (though they seem to work ok).

I'll change the rear and front fluids -any links for how to do that?

When I put the bike on the center stand, with the front end free, it was stiff for slight turns in either direction, then freed up more as I moved it to the complete left or right -so it sounds like it's the bearings. I had the front instrument panel, headlight and handlebars off the other day but chickened out. I do have a service manual but it shows using a special press to change bearings...

Really appreciate the input!

[ryonker]

I had the oil changed, gas, of course, and new battery. Had to have the gas tank lined because of rust, and front tire changed. The rear showed no signs of aging. I did have the bike "serviced" two times during that 25 years and started it two or three times -though I didn't put it back on the road till last fall. I did not change the brake fluid -sure glad you told me about that!! (though they seem to work ok).

I'll change the rear and front fluids -any links for how to do that?

When I put the bike on the center stand, with the front end free, it was stiff for slight turns in either direction, then freed up more as I moved it to the complete left or right -so it sounds like it's the bearings. I had the front instrument panel, headlight and handlebars off the other day but chickened out. I do have a service manual but it shows using a special press to change bearings...

Really appreciate the input!

Go to Basscliff's website found under the "in the garage" from the Forum's front page.

This might help-

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/images/bleedbrakes.pdf

Good luck!

Rick

[tkent02]

I had the oil changed, gas, of course, and new battery. Had to have the gas tank lined because of rust, and front tire changed. The rear showed no signs of aging. I did have the bike "serviced" two times during that 25 years and started it two or three times -though I didn't put it back on the road till last fall. I did not change the brake fluid -sure glad you told me about that!! (though they seem to work ok).

I'll change the rear and front fluids -any links for how to do that?

When I put the bike on the center stand, with the front end free, it was stiff for slight turns in either direction, then freed up more as I moved it to the complete left or right -so it sounds like it's the bearings. I had the front instrument panel, headlight and handlebars off the other day but chickened out. I do have a service manual but it shows using a special press to change bearings...

Really appreciate the input!

If the bearing freed itself up, it may work better now, try it again.
Maybe it just needs new grease.
But those tires NEED to come off, no matter how pretty they are.

[jetta90]

If this were my bike I would for sure replace both tires regardless of what they look like. The rubber has for sure hardened over those 25 years and will not provide a safe ride.
Oil change has been done you indicated, and that is another must. Brake fluid should be next on your list along with front fork oil.
As for the steering head bearings if they show no wear, and they shouldn't if they were nicely greased and not showing signs of wear when the bike went into storage, the grease will have certainly dried up by now and no longer have the lubricity properties it once had. Wouldn't hurt to get some new grease in the swingarm bushings/bearings as well while you have the grease out.

[Steve]

Had ... front tire changed. The rear showed no signs of aging. I did have the bike "serviced" two times during that 25 years and started it two or three times -though I didn't put it back on the road till last fall. I did not change the brake fluid -sure glad you told me about that!! (though they seem to work ok).

I do have a service manual but it shows using a special press to change bearings...

OK, so the front tire was changed. When?

"The rear showed no signs of aging". Have you checked the date code?

What constituted a "service" on the bike and why did you start it while it was in storage?
Starting a bike without intent to go for a ride is not really a good idea.

You put the bike on the road last fall without checking this stuff then?

And finally, yes, the manual will show you about the 'special tool' that is necessary to change the bearings, but you likely don't need to change them, only clean them, check them and re-grease them. No special tools necessary for that. Chances are that the 25-year old grease in the bearings is just a bit caked, and needs to be cleaned out and refreshed.

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[Northernex]

Tires and storage.

Well, you've given me a lot to think about and lots of good advice. The links are super. I feel overwhelmed (And grateful) for all the available information!

Went down and checked the tires -both end in "9" so both would be (at least) ten years old. Ouch. Any good sources for buying new tires??

And I am guessing fork oil needs to be changed as well? Any good like for that?

[Steve]

Well, you've given me a lot to think about and lots of good advice. The links are super. I feel overwhelmed (And grateful) for all the available information!

That is exactly the purpose of this forum. If you haven't done so already, you should bookmark BassCliff's site. Much of the wealth of knowledge of this forum has been collected onto his site for quick reference.

Went down and checked the tires -both end in "9" so both would be (at least) ten years old. Ouch. Any good sources for buying new tires??

Not necessarily on the "ten years old". There is either a 3- or 4-digit number at the end of the DOT code. Give us the full 3 or 4 digits. It is conceivable that the one tire that you replaced (if it was recently) could have been made in 2009. The giveaway for that would be a 4-digit date code.

Many good sources to get tires online. You can try a search for "tire sources" or "tire suppliers", but some of the popular places are Dennis Kirk, Tires Unlimited, Motorcycle Superstore, Iron Pony and, believe it or not, Bike Bandit.

And I am guessing fork oil needs to be changed as well? Any good like for that?

"Like"? You mean "link"? You know where I linked to BassCliff's site above? He has some info on fork spring replacement and seal replacement, I think that both of them will have information on simply changing the fork oil. It is possible to change the oil without doing the other procedures, but be prepared to change the seals later if you find that they are currently not leaking because there is no oil in there to leak. In other words, don't be surprised to find that your fork seals are 'suddenly' leaking after adding some oil. What oil to use? Stick with fork oil, either a 10w or 15w should do. If you find that you are also going to have to replace your seals, seriously consider changing your springs to Progressive Springs, too. Makes a world of difference.

One last item ... WHAT BIKE ARE WE TALKING ABOUT???
We know it's an '81 and are presuming it's a GS, but what model?

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