ALL BALLS STEERING BEARING KIT CB550?

[Modgod1]

Ok, I'm sitting here with a few beers in me, and just want to know are those tapered balless steering kits from All Balls worth getting?

I have 2 cb550's one with no title, and one that needs an engine rebuild, but I definetely noticed some cornering steering issues the last time I rode one. Will they really have a noticeable improved handling? What else will improve handling?

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

The steering step bearing upgrade does not change the handling, it changes the durability of the shitty original bearings to the tapered roller bearings that have a wider contact surface with the races. I just put one in a 1985 Nighthawk 650, and I really like how it is made. I also drilled and tapped the steering stem and added a zerk fitting so that I could pump the steering stem FULL of grease to eliminate future maintenance.

Loose or worn steering stem bearings will certainly have an adverse affect on handling. The Nighthawk I just upgraded to tapered bearings had indents worn into the bearing races, and the front end went into a "notch" when centered.

 

[Tim]

They're the sort of thing that most of us do if the front end is off anyhow. It's cheap and easy so why not do it kinda thing.

What sorts of cornering issues do you have? Is the bike stock?

Replace the fork springs with new ones, new rear shocks, bronze bushings in the swingarm, cartridge emulators in the front forks if you wanna be fancy (I have them in my XS650)...

If the front fender is removed you really really want a fork brace to lock the lowers together keeping them sliding up and down at exactly the same position. The wheel axle isn't enough to do this. Bracing the swingarm to stiffen it up isn't a bad idea.

Bottom line is they're 40+ year old bikes and aren't up to the standards to modern frame and suspension designs, so hopefully you're not comparing them to modern bikes. I've never ridden (ok, 1 time I rode a Ducati GT1000 on a demo ride) anything newer than 1978 so don't have anything to compare these old bikes to.

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

You are absolutely right, Tim. There are so many things that can adversely affect handling, right down to structurally poor construction from the get-go.

Quite possibly the most common handling issue that I encounter on my customer's bikes is sagged out and worn front forks. I probably do more fork service than any other basic repair job except for tire changes.

 

[Modgod1]

What sorts of cornering issues do you have? Is the bike stock?

Bottom line is they're 40+ year old bikes and aren't up to the standards to modern frame and suspension designs, so hopefully you're not comparing them to modern bikes. I've never ridden (ok, 1 time I rode a Ducati GT1000 on a demo ride) anything newer than 1978 so don't have anything to compare these old bikes to.

The cornering issues were a slight wobbling, probably from the front wheel, and just not very reactive in cornering (wanting to go straight rather than turn), what are your thoughts on those two issues? I always thought the 2nd one was all cb550's, and yes it's currently stock. Also, I didn't notice any difference after removing the front fender.

Yep, me too, only ridden a couple of modern bikes briefly, so I'm not comparing.

I see a lot of people changing the triple trees, is that a cosmetic thing, or does it improve handling?

 

[DrJ]

A steering damper would help your wobbling issue.

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

The cornering issues were a slight wobbling, probably from the front wheel

High speed, or low speed? Accelerating or decelerating? While cornering with bumps or uneven pavement? Tar snakes or grooved pavement?
Various wobbles can be caused by steering stem bearings. It can also be caused by loose swingarm bearings/bushings or loose rear spokes. It will seem like the front end that wobbles, because that is where you have to correct for it.

just not very reactive in cornering (wanting to go straight rather than turn)

This is common. It's not a handling "problem," it's a handling trait. When I find myself on a bike with this trait, I find that if I drop my shoulder on the inside side of the curve, and lean my body a little, it neutralizes the trait. The bonus is that I can go even faster through a turn before I start scraping.

Cruiser type bikes tend to have a little more trail in the steering geometry, so they have very good straight-line stability, but tend to resist you a little when you are taking a curve.

 

[Modgod1]

Re: ALL BALLS STEERING BEARING KIT CB550? How to Improve Handling

High speed, or low speed? Accelerating or decelerating? While cornering with bumps or uneven pavement? Tar snakes or grooved pavement?
Various wobbles can be caused by steering stem bearings. It can also be caused by loose swingarm bearings/bushings or loose rear spokes. It will seem like the front end that wobbles, because that is where you have to correct for it.

This is common. It's not a handling "problem," it's a handling trait. When I find myself on a bike with this trait, I find that if I drop my shoulder on the inside side of the curve, and lean my body a little, it neutralizes the trait. The bonus is that I can go even faster through a turn before I start scraping.

Cruiser type bikes tend to have a little more trail in the steering geometry, so they have very good straight-line stability, but tend to resist you a little when you are taking a curve.

About 35mph to 55, and whether I wanted to or not I have to decelerate to make the turn, on typical SC country roads. That's interesting that the problem could be in the rear of the bike, it makes sence, but I didn't think of it.
Since then though I have a new rear rim and new spokes, unfortunetely I didn't change the wheel bearings at the time or the swingarm bushels, it just didn't cross my mind too (I might go back and do that now). I will be replacing the front rim and spokes, and this time I will change the wheel bearings and steering bearings (it's all on a long list of things to do). So, no ones answered so far, do people change triple trees for handling or is it cosmetic?? And are there any negatives to steering dampers?

 

[DrJ]

And are there any negatives to steering dampers?

Price depending on quality. You'll need to fabricate mounts and figure out location. Positives: they work great and look the biz 8)

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

Good post, Swivel.

Most people don't realize that the correct setup for a tapered roller bearing is a bit more preload than zero end play. When tapered roller bearings are tight is the only way that they have full contact between rollers and races. Many people will tighten the bearing to zero play, then back it off a little. FAIL!

I completely agree that added steering dampers are mostly an attempt to mask handling problems that should be addressed in some way other than adding a device that masks the problem.

 

[ronnie]

Re: ALL BALLS STEERING BEARING KIT CB550?

I saw this post and looked up the site.. I have a 350f and they have front and rear wheel bearings/seal kit, steering bear/seal kit, and fork seal kit. My bike is a pile of parts on a pallet.should I just get all of these? Or should I look elsewhere/better place to get this?

Also, for the rear swing arm is bearings or a brass bushing best?

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[Kong]

Roller bearings are self centering, ball bearings are not. That is the difference that makes the All Balls or any other roller bearing setup worth the money, and yes, they are well worth the money. If someone will give you the measurements (Outer race OD, Inner race ID, and height) of the bearings you can buy them from any number of suppliers a little bit cheaper than a set from All Balls but if you go to E-Bay or somewhere like that you can buy one of the sets cheap enough. But to answer your original question once again - yes they are well worth the money, in fact I'd go so far as to say that even if your bike is otherwise perfectly stock, if you ride it then it should have the ball bearings replaced with tapered roller bearings.

 

[Modgod1]

Re: ALL BALLS STEERING BEARING KIT CB550?

For tapers Y'need to use a moly or superduty grease that leaves a thin film behind.Wheel beaing grease just gets squeezed out.

All great info Swivel, I have to add that telefix brace to the long list now. Can you reccomend some grease by name? Do you race these old Hondas on a track?

 

[ronnie]

Re: ALL BALLS STEERING BEARING KIT CB550?

Thanks bub, I ordered all but the steering bearings cause they were out of stock so I'll have to find those elsewhere. Also about to buy some brass bushings for the swing arm too.

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