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  • #1

    Steering Head Tightness

    I just picked up a one owner 1979 XS1100F with 6300 Mi on it! On initial inspection I noticed a lot of work done in the area of the front end, including zerk fittings installed in the area of the upper and lower steering head bearings, a fork brace, and air caps w / pressure gadge. In bringing the bike home it exibited poor handling with a low-speed tendancy to fall off center left and right and a high speed tendancy to track poorly and follow pavement irregularities. Once safely in my garage, and up on the center stand I found the steering to be uniformly stiff from lock to lock. My Ist thought is to adjust the beariing tension in the steering head, but might feel better just replacing both upper and lower bearings. Anyone got any suggestions? The bike is Item # 1847027421 on eBay. Gorgeous and runs like a watch!
    Christopher. "The Gimp"
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Since he went to all the trouble of putting zerks in the steering head bearings I would say that they have already been changed, so i would try a simple adjustment first. The fork equalization thinggy with the gage and a fork brace are good things. I went the next step and installed progressive springs and do not use air at all. Next I would look at front tire wear and or age and replace it if over 6 years old. Finally check for dirty or wrong weight or level of oil in forks.

    Check out the tips section including this one Wander and Tire Shimmy
    Gary Granger
    Remember, we are the caretakers of mechanical art.
    2013 Suzuki DR650SE, 2009 Kawasaki Concours 1400, 2003 Aprilia RSV Mille Tuono

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    • #3
      Steering tight!

      My 81SH sat outside for 9 years, partly under a tarp until it disentegrated. The steering action was quite stiff and bumpy. I thought I might need to replace the bearings. Took the tree apart, the grease had gotten contaminated with water. I cleaned up the bearings(no rust!), regreased them, and put them back in and tightened and adjusted, and they work just fine.

      You might just need to give them a good cleaning and regreasing!?
      T. C. Gresham
      81SH "Godzilla" . . .1179cc super-rat.
      79SF "The Teacher" . . .basket case!
      History shows again and again,
      How nature points out the folly of men!

      Comment

      • #4
        Thought I would resurrect a post from the old yahoo board in honor of this thread . . . BTW the yahoo search sucks bigtime . .

        So . . . fix your bearings . . . really!

        <begin old yahoo post>

        Revolutionary new Straight line turning method

        Just for fun I broke my bike on the way home from work yesterday. I think one of the bearings in the steering head came apart . . . quite an enlightening experience.

        About a block from the house the steering basically got stuck and I almost fell over trying to make a turn. There was no warning. Motorcycles behave VERY strangely if that front wheel cannot pivot.

        I don't recommend it. I was able to force it, and it got me home.

        Drat. For the fist time in 3 weeks I drove the Dodge to work.

        I figure I have got to fix it . . . as the "Revolutionary new straight line turning method" requires driving too many miles if you really care what your destination is (one calculation says I would need the amphibious conversion to cross the Pacific before I got home).

        Should be fun to fix . . . the book basically says "Step 1--disassemble the entire front end of your bike to the smallest single component".

        Anyway, that is one of the things on my list this weekend.

        And one of the replys that might help you (since Yamaha wants like $200 for each bearing):

        For those who care: The following #'s are for the Timken steering head
        brgs. to suit my SG. I'd imagine all the 1100's are the same.

        Top: 32005X 92KA1

        Bottom: 32006X 92KA1

        </old yahoo post>
        CUAgain,
        Daniel Meyer
        Author. Adventurer. Electrician.
        Find out why...It's About the Ride.

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        • #5
          Straight line Stearing Method!

          Thank's VERY much Dragonrider!! Those numbers are just exactly what I was looking for as I can outsource them from Bearing Specialties. I will post contacts and prices when I manage to source them. Yamaha basically seems to move the decimal point to the right when calculating parts prices! Thanks again. C.J.
          Christopher. "The Gimp"

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          • #6
            The original bearings were made by Koyo. The original lower has a seal as part of the bearing construction to help keep water and dirt out of it. Here is the part number for the lower bearing:

            KOYO part (original) Hi-cap 32006JRRS-2
            Brian
            1978E Midlife Crisis - A work in progress
            1984 Kawasaki 550 Ltd - Gone, but not forgotten

            A married man should forget his mistakes. There's no use in two people
            remembering the same thing!

            Comment

            • #7
              Getting My Bearings

              Thanks xssiveone! Looks like I may be able to reuse the plug type bottom bearing seal in the Timken 32006. Anyway I really appreciate the expert input! C.J.
              Christopher. "The Gimp"

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