All Balls roller head stem bearing install

I just got a set of these & am preparing to install. I spent the past few days searching for a tutorial but no luck. Does anyone who's done have any advice? I was hoping to avoid complete disassembly of the fork/triple tree, but that doesn't look likely.

I know the roller bearings require less torque, but how much exactly? Any other pointers? I've never had the stem off but have a service manual & all the tools anyone could possibly need.

Thanks in advance~

 

Hopefully the official Service manual will give you all the information you need. :tape2:


But - knowing the people on here, it seemed likely that over the years someone may have been inspired to prepare a detailed guide to changing the head bearings. Anyway I can't claim any credit for this, but I had time for a quick bash on the search engine on here. Once you use the right search terms it came up with a couple of possible threads which just might help you.

http://vfrworld.com/forums/showthre...-Replacment-the-Joey_Dude-method-(read-cheap)

and you may also want to read this even older thread on the earlier 750 models as it contains some important safety stuff.

http://vfrworld.com/tex_vfr/tech/bearings.htm

Good luck.




SkiMad

 

Excellent, skimad. I never came across that thread. Thanks~

 

I posted this a while back.

http://vfrworld.com/forums/showthre...ng-stay-wheel-bearings-etc?highlight=bearings

 

Too loose and the front end will click on stops, too tight and the bike wanders side-to-side.

 

OK....tearing everything apart & I got stuck. This bolt (one of 2 that holds the right side brake valving to the fork) is impossible to get to with anything but an open end wrench. As a result, I ended up rounding it off & can't seem to get it to budge. Anyone else have this problem?

 

Maybe you could detach the other end of that line ??

 

...yeah, well....I was hoping to avoid having to bleed the lines but I guess I don't have much choice.

 

Can't you put a socket on there and hammer on it? You could have a go with a chisel tool, heat would not be a good option. Impact is a good option. Good luck, its satisfying hammering on stuff, BMFH has its place in every tool box. For the yab your doing, you would have to brake oot the BMFH anyway, those races in the frame are tight and have to be banged oot! Helps if you have proper tools, less hair pullilng, save that chit for the bedroom :whipped: :thumbsup:

 

If you look at the pic, the only way to get at it is a very narrow angle with an open-end wrench. Otherwise, I have to remove the connector & open up the brake system....something I was hoping to avoid.

Nobody else had this issue?

 

,...............

 

If your going from ball bearings to roller bearings then this is a MUST read: http://www.motorcycleproject.com/motorcycle/text/shucking.html (also the service bulletin in link) Because of mechanics not getting the races "square" and then causing problems later with handling that Honda went to ball bearing for the steering head. Don't really know for sure on that. But manuals show a special Honda tool for installing races, even the ball bearing type. But I can verify what is in this write up. The 83 came standard with roller bearings and I experienced what the write up is about.

Also the final torque (FSM) for the 83 was the same as in the write up. I just did the change to rollers on my BB and set them at 10# like Mike says. The stock ball bearing require 18# tq (also VFR). That is way to tight for rollers. The max I went on my 750 was 13# and had to back off to 11# because they were to tight. The BB and VFR/Interceptor have the same basic dimensions and weight and treat them the same with the tq setting from the 83 and Mike. I haven't been able to ride it yet to actually verify how it handles.

Just something you may want to be a where of when going back together.


Update 4-2. I had the bike out for about 150 miles and it feels good with 10# final torque.

 

Nice read^:thumbsup:

I did oem balls on my beloved viffer. That dont mean its wrong to go to the rollers from all balls. I did all balls on my little ninja with nice success, in that case, they had loose balls :shocked: So the rollers were a major upgrade.

I use feel and base it how the front end feels when the wheel is off the ground. Don't go by me though, I have a certified elbow, I use a combo of two 36 MM sockets one is shaveed down from a previous owner (can you imagine grinding on a Snap On socket?) :crazy: anyway, it works excellent for me. Along with a race punch from same company and a baby sledge hammer, you get the job done. Eat your wheaties though, cause its WORK! Can't believe what happened to Bruce Jenner, he ate them things now he gets manicures and brazillian ass bleaching ound: Cheers, good pictures

 

Thanks, guys!

Not unlike replacing roller bearings/races in the front hubs on my Toyota 4x4....just a little smaller~

 

Got the old bearings & races out & the new ones in today!















Raised the forks a few mm up in the triple tree to try out a different handling geometry:

 

Fun hammering on your own stuff right? Good job!

 

Always! I've been working on my own stuff since I was a kid~

 

Finally finished the laundry list of things I've been doing with the beast since last September. Took her out for a quick run up the street & all is right with the world again~

 

Good deal, you notice a difference as soon as y0u back it oot of your garage. :thumbsup:

 

Glad to hear it summer should be fun. What was your final tq on the steering head? Just curious.