Steering bearing replacement-3 questions

[lonestarmedic]

Can the front forks on the first gen be dropped far enough to replace the lower bearing without removing the fairing? I will have the front tire off for replacement. It looks possible. Might have to disconnect the air line etc. Or if I remove the calipers, fender and the electrical for the anti-dive I think the whole fork assembly might drop out.

 

Related thought on the waddle/wobble/shimmy. There are 2 isolation bushings for the handlebars. Look to be built like shock bushing. Any chance that the rubber in these goes soft? Possibly need to replace these with a delrin bushing/steel sleeve assembly. Might get a bit more vibration but the wiggle factor would be reduced.

 

Will a standard motorcycle lift work on the 1st gen? I haven't had one under mine to check alignment. Will I need hockey pucks etc. to make the jack clear?

 

JB

[Rick Butler]

JB,

 

To replace the steering head bearings, you don't need to remove the fairing. However you do need to pull your fork legs out to get to the top and bottom triple tree. You need to remove the bearing on the bottom triple tree on the bench.

 

And I'm not sure I would worry about the handlebar mounts and I'm not sure anyone offers a Delran replacement. But you might look into having a set of solid bushings made to have pressed in?

 

And for a 1st Gen, any motorcycle jack that is rated to 1,000 lbs will work. You have plenty of inexpensive options from Sears and Craftsman or Harbor Frieght. And you don't need any spacers or frame blocks since the pipes are on the same level as the frame. Just treat the jack like a fork lift, but place the left fork (from the right side) right at the front of the center stand, to provide the right balance point and better support.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Rick

[Marcarl]

Another perfect answer!!!!!!!!!:happy65:

[lonestarmedic]

Rick - My pipes on my 1986 are well below the frame. Not by a 1/4" etc but by

almost the entire diameter of the pipe. I could catch the centerstand area but forward

of that the next spot is the tabs hanging down for the crash bars. I will take a picure and post later this evening. Maybe I have a serious problem someplace.

 

JB