Steering Stem Tapered Bearing Question

K

ksprzk

Active Member
Alright...before I can put the 1974 CL360 back together I need to replace the steering stem bearings. After much force the races are out and the frame is ready to go. I was going to take it to a shop and just have them do it but the shop in town quoted me $320 (4 hours of labor at $80 an hour).

So couple questions, is this install a total pain in the ass to do yourself? I've found one video online with a dude who does it himself but that's really the only instruction i've found.

Second question is if I don't do it myself don't you think 4 hours of labor is an insane amount of time for this job?
 
Are you rolling in your bike as is? If yes, the shop needs to jack up front of bike, remove wheel, brake line, fork tubes, top clamp, bottom clamp, neck bearing races, steering tube race. Then install new neck bearing races, steering race and all bearings with special tools and reinstall everything else. If you bring the frame, steering tube and new bearings, it should take 1 hour.
 
Easy enough, but you have to be very sure what spacer washers you need under the bottom race.
There is often clearance issues with bottom triple and the headstock, I ended up wrecking a bearing as I couldn't get it off again to put the right washer on!
 
sorry i should've mentioned. i would be taking the frame in. nothing else is on the bike right now just the bare frame.
 
one other question is do you use the stock races for this kit or does it come with everything you need?

http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-steering-parts-honda-cb-cl-all-balls-steering-bearing-neck-kit-122-1011.html

i'm hoping not as the bottom race was a pain to get out and i had to drill a hole in it to get it out.
 
So if I can't find a place to do it around $80 you guys say try to tackle it myself but if I can find a place to do it the $80 is worth it?
 
Hi when ya buy the replacement headbearings (good time to change to tapered roller bearings )average UK price £30 > $45 you get ya dust seals/ small tube bearing grease top n bottom race & top n bottom bearings youve already got the old races out make sure there aren't any score marks etc in stearing head tube where old races where .There is a difference in size from top race to bottom race double check first !! place the race with small amount of lube into head stock tube THE CRITICAL PART it must go in even & level the way to do this is with a good hammer look at the race n headstock tube like its a clock ie . 12 -6 -9 -3 then start gently tapping with even pressure at 12oclock then 6 oclock ,9oclock , 3oclock keep doing this gradually increasing pressure of tapping while continuing the clock sequence till race meets level with top of stearing head tube this should take about 1 hour for most guys such as yourself ;) either the garage thought they were gonna do all the job ( old races out etc ) or they were trying to make a quick buck :eek: hope this gives ya some idea did my own first time ever yup they were a pain to get out used heat / penatrating oil brute force etc youve done the hard bit so feel good and give the easier bit a go and save a load of $$ am here if ya need any more info etc ;) ;)
 
Just to add ::) the whole job top n bottom /cleaning where old ones were should take about 1hr and the sequence for the bottom race is the same as top just flip over the frame and tie down to secure and again 12 -6- 9 - 3 nice and even ;)
 
Thanks for the tips Yorkie350. Do you by chance remember the order of the stacks?

also did you freeze yours?
 
Hi thought about freezing them first went ahead without guess it would'nt harm either way mate will look thru my workshop sure instructions that came with new bearings gave the order of fitting
 
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