Steering Head bearing races

[BratmanXj]

So I'm finally getting around the my winter repairs & modifications... Front end is off to replace some dented steering head bearings and I'm getting the lower pressed on tomorrow by a buddy. I've searched the forum and not finding how to removed the races. Before I ding something up, can someone well me the "proper" way to get the bearing races out of the neck?

 

[bongobobny]

OK normally they hammer out with a drift pin affair, but in extreme cases you can use a dremel tool with a metal cutting disc, and cut two slots in the race close together to remove a small arc out of the race and the rest will come out real easy! Do not be concerned if you accidentally cut into the frame piece a little, it will have no consequence to the new race...

[BratmanXj]

OK normally they hammer out with a drift pin affair, but in extreme cases you can use a dremel tool with a metal cutting disc, and cut two slots in the race close together to remove a small arc out of the race and the rest will come out real easy! Do not be concerned if you accidentally cut into the frame piece a little, it will have no consequence to the new race...

 

Thank you for that information, that is what I wanted to verify. I figured the rest of the neck was "non-interference" but didn't want to goober something up

[RedRider]

Tried it with the drift punch and got no love. The Dremel cutting wheel took care of it. A huge PITA, but it worked.

 

I was lazy with it and cut the notches 180 degrees from each other. The bearing race just fell out.

 

RR

[Flyinfool]

Just to state the obvious. If you do use the Dremel method, be sure to get all of the grinding dust out of the neck so that it can not get into your nice new bearings. Once I got my races out I also cut in some notches so that next time it will be easy to get onto the race with a punch.

[BratmanXj]

So I'm a bit spoiled when I need machine work. The neighbor where I grew up runs a Harley engine shop out of his house; so my son goes to my mother's on Mondays and I send him with the lower triple. 8:00 AM I get a text from my mother that the new bearing is already pressed on the stem.

[Flyinfool]

But now it is contaminated, It was wrapped in a Harley bag..........

[BratmanXj]

But now it is contaminated, It was wrapped in a Harley bag..........

 

Passive Aggressive hints...he makes his living on building some good HD motors, but will be the 1st to admit if you want a bike to hop on and ride you'd better look elsewhere. He has no problem with my Venture or some of the other odds and ends I've made him machine for various Yami's over the years.