cb750 stem bearing issue

[Bmpaul02]

Ok i have a 77 cb750 and i am in the process of "upgrading" to better thrust bearings but hear is the kicker i
A.) cant get the top on in for anything whats the trick?
B.) can't get the bottom one on correctly there seems to be an old race on the bottom of the tripple tree that wont come off.


any help would be grand

 

[DrJ]

You may need a spacer to hold race off lower yoke (cant remember thickness, 2~3mm)

That spacer should come with the bearing kit. It is necessary to install it or bottom yoke will contact bottom of steering stem.

 

[boomshakalaka]

off topic:

crazypj, your avatar is tits.

 

[zixxerboy]

Often an interference fit. Put the new bits in the freezer overnight (after greaseing them). Have everthing ready to go before pulling them out.

Turn up a couple of hardwood dowels that fit the race nicely so you can drive them home straight with a hammer.

Mine went in perfect following this proceedure.

 

[GK]

+1 ^^^^^^^^ Im a little concerned about how this might turn out : not saying your a newb with bike related repairs BM but if your having trouble recognising the problems you have encountered so far i fear for the safety of that new bearing, being an interference fit means it will be quite tight to fit on , the part that needs to be in the freezer is the stem, overnight would be good, then wack the bearing in the oven to expand the circumference , and last but not least make sure any force used is only on the inner section of that bearing or you will make very short work of destroying it, how do i know this ?, been
there and done it :'(when we didnt have the interwebbynet to refer to.

Hope i havent sounded condescending, just hate to see people waste money re buying parts when it could be used to buy more goodies.
cheers, GK.

 

[zixxerboy]

Actually GK makes an intersting point noting that the stem should go in the freezer.

In my case (73 Kawi Z1) the bearing went into the freezer because I driving into the steering neck ( the frame). If memory serves correctly I had to drive both bearings into the neck and then the stem slid in ... but I could be wrong.

 

[Bmpaul02]

it looked to me that the lower race was part of the stem but i realized that that was not true. all is well bearings were pressed(professionaly) and bike is almost back together

 

[Tim]

I had to cut the lower race off the stem with a dremel when I went to tapered bearings - over the years with enough grease and dirt, the lower race does end up looking like a part of the stem and it's not easy to remove without proper bearing pulling tools.

Funny thing is tapered bearings from what I've read are not optimal for the minimal rotation/high load application in a steering head, but I guess they're better than loose balls and the best current option.