1982 GS300 Project - Where do I start

[Mekanix]

Lower bearing is always a tight fit and has to be pressed on. Although you can use a pipe the same diameter as the inside of the bearing and drive it on that way.
Don't forget the dust seal.

What do you mean about the top bearing?

Whats the old one look like compared to the new one?

[hjacobmiller]

Of course I don't have any pipe laying around that is the right diameter...

Here is the old top races (BBs in between):



New:



The modification they are talking about has to do with this:



Essentially that lip in the picture below prevents the stem from going up from enough so that the spanner nut goes down far enough.. Have to get the bottom on and see I guess...

Thinking I should have just cleaned up the old ones, repacked them and let sleeping dogs lie...

[hjacobmiller]

I don't see any washer. What I think you're referring to in the picture is the top of the inner race?

The only "washer" looking thing I see is the dust covers...

[Mekanix]

Yeah I just realized that, after looking at the bearing.

The Kit's I've seen had spare washers for installation.


In this pic I'm guessing you don't have the bottom bearing on and the stem is all the way up.
It looks like there is enough room for the nut though,

[hjacobmiller]

No, it wasn't all the way up. I tried to guess how much space the bottom would take up so I was holding the triple tree away from the bottom.

Just kind of nerve wracking to pound these on and not know if they'll work...

I got these from Powersports on Amazon. Kind of irritated at them for not mentioning there may be machining needed.

Also kind of irritated that there were no instructions or details. I got a sticker, almost as good I guess.

[Mekanix]

Got a link for the bearings ?

[hjacobmiller]

Got a link for the bearings ?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GU7VKQ/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

Even says it fits my model...

[Mekanix]

Yeah I see that,

http://www.allballsracing.com/steering/22-1005.html Same product as on amazon

Mod?

Says its only for pre 1979 and that the lip has to be dropped by 0.274".


Measure yours and see how much room there is between the bottom of the threads to the lip.

If its 0.384" or 9.8mm then it needs the mod to work,
If Its 0.630" or 16mm it should be good.

[Mekanix]

I printed out your picture to scale and it looks like it has the short measurements of 9.8mm from bottom thread to the lip.

[hjacobmiller]

Well I went to a machine shop and reluctantly had him make the mod for $50. Still REALLY irritated at the whole process but I wanted to make the upgrade although I'm still not sure they will work.

All packed and snugged together:



Here is what concerns me:





Its still like the new bearings are thicker than the old ones. I made sure that the races were as far seated as possible with a 3lb hammer and I flipped one of the old races upside down to use as a punch. Worked well and the races are as far seated as they will go I believe. Its just that upper triple that worries me.

Any suggestions or concerns?

[pete]

Hmmmm it just doesn't look right does it? I got a little lost in the detail but I do see what you're talking about.. that lower triple just looks too low.

Does the steering lock still engage? And do the steering stoppers still work like that?

I guess all you can do is make sure everything's seated well, torque it all down, and see how it feels.

[hjacobmiller]

Hmmmm it just doesn't look right does it? I got a little lost in the detail but I do see what you're talking about.. that lower triple just looks too low.

Does the steering lock still engage? And do the steering stoppers still work like that?

I guess all you can do is make sure everything's seated well, torque it all down, and see how it feels.

Yes to locking and stopping. What I'm more worried about is the upper not sitting far enough down and getting a firm enough grip on the stem and coming loose while barreling down the back roads...

[pete]

Yep... it does get bolted down though. Worst case you could get a longer bolt?

I'm keen to see what Mekanix has to say... this is way outside my very narrow knowledge area...

[Mekanix]

What does the bottom seal look like ?

Is it between the bearing and the stem
or does it fit around the bottom of the bearing and allow the bearing to sit as far down as possible?

[jfman]

OT I know but did you lose the punched vin from the neck when they coated the frame?