Hi Everyone
I took my zx14 for its yearly safety check(mot over here) To check the head bearings they pulled the bike over onto the side stand to lift the front wheel up, cant see that its strong enough what do you think?
Dave
Created on: 11/28/18 02:14 PM
Replies: 8
dave350v8
Joined: 12/13/17
Posts: 103
Grn14
Location: Montana
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Hub
Joined: 02/05/09
Posts: 13723
Rook
Joined: 03/28/09
Posts: 20605
Hub
Joined: 02/05/09
Posts: 13723
Speaking about steering head bearing trivia
02/01/19 1:40 PM
Maintenance wise the steering bearings should be packed every 8k give or take a few miles.
I've packed my 2008, 2013, and now my 2017 [a few days ago]. The '08/13 had a dust boot that was made out of plastic, plus the lock nut to hold it down is different than the '017. The 17's dust boot is now an updated rubber seal that has an interference fit like any seal to hold itself in place. Therefore, you can distort the seal to remove the top race, but cannot remove and clean the bearing cage without removing the seal.
Since the seal does a better job to keep the steering system clean, I left the seal in place and packed the bearing cage still in the neck. Upon inspection of the race's faces, I did not notice the ball pounding marks shadow the indents as they did the '08/13. However, my assumption was that I would also find those shadow pings on the '017. Now that I remember both early bikes began to knock before their first service, the '017 never peeped a bang [needing a required 18ftlb torque of the first lock ring]. I would have to conclude that one would have to address the knock the moment it is noticed; to save the races from those divot knocks.
Signed,
NOLTT
cruderudy
Location: AMR
Joined: 08/15/12
Posts: 1963
Rook
Joined: 03/28/09
Posts: 20605
cruderudy
Location: AMR
Joined: 08/15/12
Posts: 1963
Rook
Joined: 03/28/09
Posts: 20605
RE: steering head bearings
02/02/19 2:47 PM
Replace the bearings!! The best thing I could do is leave it alone or else it will be weeks I can't ride the bike again. It still feels just fine and seems to turn freely when I do the steering play test. No sir, replacing bearings is a winter job I don't have time for right now. I'll plan on doing it in the future though.
* Last updated by: Rook on 2/2/2019 @ 2:48 PM *
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