How often do you adjust your stem bearings?

[Guest]

I've adjusted mine on the GK, twice in the last year, & I just noticed that the fork is turning very freely again, wirh the bike up on the centerstand. So, I'm about to do it again. This looks like a twice a year thing.
However, I am careful not to over tighten them. Maybe, I need to go a little tighter on my adjustments?
Previously, i had a big Yamaha Venture tourer, & they did need the stem adjusted that often. So, is it a common adjustment on the bigger gs' s too?

[JEEPRUSTY]

so far never in 32 years

[Steve]

I have found an adjustment or two necessary after changing the bearings, but that's all.

.

[posplayr]

Captain Obvious says that it "sounds like the bearings are not stable"................... Probably time to give them a swap out.

[LarryJ]

Adjusted them today.
Only needed to snug them up about an eigth of a turn, to get any looseness out. So, I am hoping that these last two adjustments were just a final set, after that first big adjustment that they needed.
If they loosen again, it'll definetly be time for new bearings!

[limeex2]

I adjust mine with every set of tires. Feels so good with new tires. I like em snug,and it is easy to get a good feel for them when the wheels are off.It is also easier to feel if they are dimpled and in need of replacement. To snug and the bike will wander back and forth as they are sticking.

[chef1366]

Captain Obvious says that it "sounds like the bearings are not stable"................... Probably time to give them a swap out.

That's helpful Mr. Obvious.

[posplayr]

Adjusted them today.
Only needed to snug them up about an eigth of a turn, to get any looseness out. So, I am hoping that these last two adjustments were just a final set, after that first big adjustment that they needed.
If they loosen again, it'll definetly be time for new bearings!

I'm not sure of all the swaps but you can swap out for tapered bearing a if you don't have them already.

all balls make good bearings and you can find them on eBay.

[bwringer]

I have found an adjustment or two necessary after changing the bearings, but that's all.

.

Same here. And we're probably both talking about tapered bearings. Install, possibly adjust once or twice after a little bit of riding, and you're done.

To answer the question, adjustment is not a regular maintenance item. But steering stem bearings should be greased every few years if the bike sees a lot of weather.


If you're talking about the crappy stock ball bearings, then they're just plain defective from the factory. You can't adjust them to work right, so just replace ASAP with proper tapered bearings.

[Dogma]

Well, the OP's GK should already have tapered rollers, shouldn't it? It sounds to me like somebody changed the bearings at some point in the past and didn't get them fully seated in the frame or on the stem. They keep moving closer to seated, and won't stop until they get there. If they were simply bad, adjusting them again shouldn't bring them back to smooth, snug operation.

I don't know why a Venture would need that adjustment, unless the manufacturer wasn't sure the adjusting nut would stay locked.

[bonanzadave]

CMIIW (correct me if Im wrong)...

When you tighten the stem nut you are moving the top and bottom fork trees closer together. In order to allow the trees to move closer together you should loosen one set of fork pinch bolts.

Discuss.......

[tkent02]

In order to allow the trees to move closer together you should loosen one set of fork pinch bolts.

And the one in the center of the upper triple, the one that clamps the stem.

[bwringer]

CMIIW (correct me if Im wrong)...

When you tighten the stem nut you are moving the top and bottom fork trees closer together. In order to allow the trees to move closer together you should loosen one set of fork pinch bolts.

Discuss.......

And the one in the center of the upper triple, the one that clamps the stem.

Yep. It seems obvious to me, but perhaps it isn't to everyone.