Steering Head Bearings

[Roadman48]

Hello All,

I have a 1981 XJ650 Maxim. The steering head bearings need replacement.

I have rebuilt bikes in the past and installed roller bearings. I have no plans to fully rebuild this bike and was wondering if it is possible to just replace the individual ball bearings, upper and lower, without fully disassembling the front end. I was hoping I could easily pull the top triple tree, loosen the stem and drop it enough to get to the individual ball bearings keeping the original races.

Any thoughts or assistance is greatly appreciated.

Larry

[motoman]

Hello All,

I have a 1981 XJ650 Maxim. The steering head bearings need replacement.

I have rebuilt bikes in the past and installed roller bearings. I have no plans to fully rebuild this bike and was wondering if it is possible to just replace the individual ball bearings, upper and lower, without fully disassembling the front end. I was hoping I could easily pull the top triple tree, loosen the stem and drop it enough to get to the individual ball bearings keeping the original races.

Any thoughts or assistance is greatly appreciated.

Larry

FWIW, never mix new bearings, ball or roller type with used races. They all, sooner than later will start creating unnecessary wear on both roller type or needle type rollers. Bearing races should ALWAYS stay with their mated roller or needle type. Good try, but 'no go' my friend. Besides, with roller type, the roller cage has to be removed WITH the bearings and re-installed the same way, as a new unit. No gettin' around it in either case.

[Geezer]

I tried to replace steering head bearings once with the front end still assembled and it was a B*tch. I ended up stripping the trees anyway so after that I just start the job that way.

The bearings are an assembly and you cannot just replace damaged rollers anyway and it would be a bad idea if you could...

Geezer