CX500 GL500 650 Global

It was time for new steering head bearings on one of my CX-es. I expected absolutely no problems.

I´ve replaced such bearings on other bikes many times by now, probably close to 10. I suppose it was the feeling of "piece of cake" that turned this event into a real worry. I took everyting for granted and forgot to use the careful and relaxed approch that is necessary for not doing stupid things.

When driving the outer bearing races out from the steering head the lower one turned a little. I didn´t observe that in time, so went on hammering it down with a hammer and a driver. Only made things worse. The race got stuck and in the end it became impossible to move, either forward or backward.

I had to resort to my Dremel and a grinding disc. Cut a couple of deep cuts in the bearing race, so I could punch the part in between, out. It came out as later also the rest of the bearing race. There were some obvious scuff marks and ridges inside the steering head after my violent attempts. I grinded the ridges down with the Dremel and a flap wheel. Felt smooth enough, so I started to drive the new bearing race in. Guess what!?? Of couse also that one turned. My further attempts to drive it home were unsuccesful. These bearing races (cone bearings) are impossible to drive out again, since there is no edge to punch against from above. Heck! F--k!!!

I went to my very friendly Honda shop (personal friends) with my worries. The shop boss let me borrow their professional bearing driver tool over the weekend. With that one it was easy to persuade the bearing race to go straight again. The power that such a tool develops is much, much more than you can make with even a big hammer and the old bearing races. Plus the advantage that it pushes the race totally straight in.

Now both bearing outer races are as well as the rest of the assembly (triple trees / fork clamps). Everything feels quite perfect, although I know there are some scuff marks inside the steering head. They don´t seem to cause any problems, as the triple tree assembly moves absolutely smooth and even.

It´s quite embarrassing to screwe up like this. Lucky me that I have these nice guys at my local Honda dealer. Without them I would have had to transport a bike, already up on a lift, without front end, to their shop to have things sorted there.

Lesson learned, rest assured!

Cheers

Sture

I put some Taper roller bearings on the spare frame I have in my Garage.Luckily as it was my first time I'de ever put Roller bearings on I went steady and careful for they wouldn't go down the shaft easy.I ended up taking about an hour with some 500 wet and dry paper honing the shaft so they would fit.I didn't want to take too much hence the light paper.
I even had to Email,"The Don" to ask him because they were such a tight fit and I wasn't sure.

I'd never want to try and ever get them off!But then they are going to last well into the next century

Thing is I'm probably not going to make a 3rd CX so someone else will get the benefit of them anyway

If either of my other Cxs go I think so long as the ball races are ok I'll just stick some new ball bearings in<grin>

We have all gotten way to confident or comfortable sometimes. Just reminds us to not take things for granted.

I have a 78 standard, and an 80 custom. Where can I get the sets for them? And do you think in the long run, it was worth the work and expense?

I can't say as I've never used them as they are just in a frame but they feel good.Sture can tell you and many people swear by them.

Another thing is that they are a much better design than the standard bearings and will last longer so I would think that once the job is done and they are looked after(which wouldn't take much) they should last a lifetime considering how well the standard ones have held up in some of these bikes.Pinky is on 76,000 miles and I doubt she has had the Steering bearings replaced

These are the ones I got and can't remember if they have or need a dust cover or I re-used one as it was a long while back now,

Do they come with the new dust seals Sture?

LRCXed:


Where can I get the sets for them? And do you think in the long run, it was worth the work and expense?

These bearings should be available anywhere. I get mine from my Honda dealer. They´re not Honda stuff of course, but aftermarket. I´ve seen them sold in many places. They come as a set in various sizes, to fit virtually any model. I believe I´ll never have to replace them again, so yes - it was definitely worth the work and expense. Their design convinces me that they must last much, much longer than the old ball-bearings.

Do they come with the new dust seals

No at least not the ones I get.

These conical / tapered bearing sets are a sensible upgrade from the old ball bearings. "My" Honda shop regularly use them on customer´s bikes when the old ball bearings are finished. Our "Club guru", earlier Service Director at the former Swedish Honda Importer swears by them and always uses them himself, in his present pro shop.

Our Swedish Government Vehicle Inspection Authority has, since many years now been very alert on just steering head bearings. As soon as even the slighest notch can be felt, front wheel lifted and steering bars turned from left to right and vice versa, the bike will fail its compulsury inspection (one every other year). Therefore I´ve had to replace some bearings, as I´ve owned more than 25 bikesduring during the last 13 years.

The bearing sets I get consist of two complete bearings, the upper and the lower, plus a thick washer, to be driven onto the lower fork triple tree, where normally a thin washer and a dustseal are. These should be discarded, says our "Club guru" as they don´t do anything meaningful. The dust seal can even trap moisture.

That thick washer is essential to let the lower triple tree clear the underside of the steering head. Don´t ask me how I know! I had a bike fail its test because of that. The steering was affected as maximum amplitude was restricted. On Shep´s pictures there is no thick washer, so probably these bearings have other dimensions than the ones I get. Also probably - if there is no need for that thick washer underneath, then you should be able to use the thin washer and the dust seal again, or get new ones (the old ones may be damaged when you take the old bearing out).

Much text, I admit, but in reality it is a relatively easy job, once you don´t force things. I always use the old bearing races to knock on, when driving the new races home. And be careful when you drive the old ones out!!

Sture

Shep!

From your earlier entry:

I'd never want to try and ever get them off!But then they are going to last well into the next century

plus:

If either of my other Cxs go I think so long as the ball races are ok I'll just stick some new ball bearings in<grin>

If you ever need to take tapered bearing races out you´ll have to add some material to them (weld) to get something to knock against. Seen from above (through the steering head) there is otherwise absolutely nothing to use, as the race is completely flush with the steering head. Have never had to do it (yet) but there is only that way to go, says my "pro".

I´ve never seen an undamaged ball bearing race on the bikes I´ve had steering bearing problems with. The balls themselves have looked good enoough, but there has been small marks on the races, which have made the steering "notchy".

I got the bike back on its wheels yesterday evening and took it for a short test ride. Man - is there a perfect feeling to the steering now?!! It was rather bad before - not any more!! Tapered bearings rule!!

Cheers

Sture

Hi Sture.

You are not the only one! I did the same when I changed the bearings on my 650ED only I think I stopped slightly before you did. Luckily I managed to get it back a bit straighter but still left some nasty scars on the inside.

Got the new ones in though and all has been excellent for the last 15000 miles (10000 in the last year).

Dave.