Installing tapered head bearings

NBraun

NBraun

Been Around the Block
Well, as the stock bearings were basically shot on my gs750 i bought new tapered roller bearings from AllBalls. Now as this is my first time im not totally sure what to do. The lower bearing doesn't seem to go all the way to the lower triple, therefore it won't fit tight, and neither of the bearings would go into the head stem very well.

Any help or tips and tricks would help greatly. Thanks!
 
You will need to press the lower bearing on (a hammer and a pipe that sits on the inner part of the bearing works)

For the headstock, you will have to remove the old bearing races with a punch and a hammer, and then press the new bearing races into the headstock.
 
Alrighty,

So i think i have the race all the way in on the head stock
jMA6sJb.jpg


And the bearing needs to be pressed onto the lower stem?
pqyZ1Ri.jpg
 
Yep, lower bearings have a interference fit, i.e. the stem is actually about .001-.002" bigger than the inner race of the bearings. It needs to be pressed on correctly. Beating it with a hammer will do nothing but damage it. Take it to a machine shop with a hydraulic press and throw 'em a $10 bill and have them do it right. Better to be safe when we're talking about the things that make it so you can maneuver.
 
Is that the top race there on the stem? It has to fit down over that lower "step" and did they come with dust seals? If so fit one below that lower race before you press it on.
 
Also, remember when you tighten bearings, don't crank down on them. You tighten it down to make sure they're seated, then back off until you can turn it by hand. Hand tighten and then add 1/4 turn with a wrench. Any adjustment after that is simply to take up any slack in the head stock. Tighten them too much and they'll wear down in a hurry and create jerky steering.
 
You still have the old bearing race on the steering stem. You need to get that off first, then press the new bearing on (press on the inner part of the bearing).


Most of those old bearings will come off if you clamp the stem upside down in a vice and punch the race down from the rear side of the triple.
 
I agree with teazer. Looks like your trying to fit the top bearing to the bottom. Check the ID of the bearings to see if they differ.
 
That could be. The other bearing will only go just past the threads at the top of the stem, so I figured that was the top bearing. As for the headstone, I put those races in from the new bearings. I removed the old ones.
 
Looking at the picture you provided, the old bearing race is still on the triple tree. Measure the inside diameter of the new bearings. The one that should go on the bottom should be only slightly smaller or exactly the same size than the outside diameter of the bottom journal where the bearing fits.
 
Ok i understand you now. I spose ill just have the machine shop remove the old race.
 
Completely unnecessary.
Get a long screwdriver and a hammer and it will pop right out.
Put the screwdriver through the top, and then press it on the backside of the bearing race and gently tap it with the hammer. Move 1/4 of the way around and repeat. Keep doing this until it pops out, its not tough and certainly not something to pay someone to do.

Installing the new races isn't hard either, just tap them in with a hammer (protect the surface with wood or something) just make sure you just barely tap and do it all the way around so they evenly seat.
 
sharperdill said:
He already has the races installed. He is working on the triple. Please read the post more carefully.
Click to expand...

Yes sir your excellency.

You can still remove the old race from the triple with a punch and a hammer.
 
sharperdill said:
That's not very professional. I was just giving constructive criticism.
Click to expand...

Yeah I know, my bad, I'm just pissy because the UPS man is out of town and I can't call him to go grab my stuff ;D. I have to wait until 3 or 4 for the fill in guy to get here :mad:.
 
lets get the terminology correct fellers :)
we are talking about a "cone" and a "cup" this is the correct terminology and very hard to confuse thisaway
that one cup you show in the pics needs more beating,it ain't seated
carry on
 
No need to take anything to the shop. You can do it yourself easily.
Taking the lower race was a major PITA for me. It was stuck in there and it would not budge. Ended up cutting it out.
Freezing lower tree and races will help greatly. So will lubricating everything beforehand.
Lower bearing can be pounded on with a PVC pipe. Just turn the tree upside-down and bang the pipe against the ground couple of time and it will slide on.

Pat self on the back.
 
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