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  • #1

    Steering Bearing

    I have been experiencing a wobble and blamed my air forks because of differences in pressure since one leaks. Tonight I put my bike on the centerstand and using a jack lifted the front up to check the stearing. The steering is a bit tight as the wheel does not move by itself and requires some help and there is a notch feeling just off center, left and right. I was trying to just losen the bearing a bit to see what results that would give but the two locking bolts are way tight. I loosened the top bolt and the clinch bolts but do I need to loosen the fork pinch bolts as well?

    1980 XS Eleven Special
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Yes. Mine was very notchy like that so I took it all apart and removed the bearings, cleaned and repacked them. Once you remove the top of the "triple tree" you can use a flat screw driver and a hammer to knock the jam nut loose. The races do not come out! Since then mine is smooth as can be! Someone else was just talking about this in another thread.
    1979 XS11 Special (slightly modified)
    dubbed the "Mad Mosquito"

    MikesXs Pod Filters
    MikesXs 35k Coils
    8mm plug wires
    42.5 Pilots 142.5 Mains
    (Carb tune by GNEPIG Performance)
    Kerker 4-into-1
    Shaved emblems
    Progressive frt springs lowered 1.5"
    Progressive 11.5" rear shocks
    Harley Dyna rear fender chopped
    Custm side mt tag (apparently illegal)
    Custom Dual Headlights
    Lots of time and hard work.

    Comment

    • #3
      On mine, the notches in the races were visible

      Chances are, if they're notchy now, you will be replacing them in the near future. Re-greasing them may help temporarily. The races DO come out, but it's not a pretty job. Do a search here for the various methods used.

      The lower bearing is the most difficult to change, and that is most likely the one that is in bad shape.

      Comment

      • #4
        Hey I just took mine apart and cleaned them, there was visible wear on the races but I just cleaned and re-packed because there was no where to get bearings on a sunday afternoon. I"m glad i did because It works just fine now and I saved that 40 bucks for some other stuff. I also used a hammer and punch to get those funky nuts loose.
        1979 xs1100 Special -
        Stock air box/K&N Filter, MAC 4-2 exhaust, Bad-Boy Air horn, TC fuse box, Windshield, Soft bags, Vetter Fairing, Blinkers->Run/Turn/Brake Lights, Headlight Modulator, hard wire GPS power

        Short Stack - 1981 xs1100 Standard - lowered for SWMBO.

        Originally posted by fredintoon
        Goes like a train, corners like a cow, shifts like a Russian tractor, drinks like a fish, you are gonna love it.
        My Bike:
        [link is broken]

        Comment

        • #5
          Sadly... I agree with Randy.
          Notches are notches. And notches in the race are what the rollers catch on. New grease will not make them go away.
          "Damn it Jim, I'm a doctor, not a mechanic!' ('Bones' McCoy)

          Comment

          • #6
            Strangely, it also makes me sad that you agree with me.

            Comment

            • #7
              "I'm in an agreeable mood."

              As I was sitting typing earlier....
              A bird flew against the window... snapping it's neck, and now lies motionless on the driveway.
              Sort of brightened my day a bit.
              "Damn it Jim, I'm a doctor, not a mechanic!' ('Bones' McCoy)

              Comment

              • #8
                Prom,
                Was that a blue bird???
                Ray Matteis
                KE6NHG
                XS1100 E '78 (winter project)
                XS1100 SF Bob Jones worked on it!

                Comment

                • #9
                  Brian - I've seen in other posts that, if you get the nut on top too tight it can cause a wobble. Mine was wobbling pretty bad at high speed so I replaced the head bearings. Still wobbled a little so I put a fork brace on it - that made a difference.
                  Last edited by dbeardslee; 05-07-2008, 10:14 AM.
                  I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

                  '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Hi Dbeardslee,

                    The whole front-end pivots on those bearings........ Too tight, too loose, notchy or even just dry is obviously not good, and can cause all sorts of issues.

                    They are a "service item"..... so just service 'em occasionally, and you will never have a problem!

                    AlanB
                    If it ain't broke, modify it!

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      "Have the lambs stopped screaming, Agent "Starling"?"

                      No, Ray.
                      Sadly, it also wasn't the Red-Headed Woodpecker that wakes me... perched on the porch swing thing... loudly tapping holes in the aluminum.
                      Ask my sons why I keep a BB gun on the porch... and about the $10 bounty I used to pay.
                      (No jokes about me being "The Mutant on the Bounty, either. Thank you)
                      "Damn it Jim, I'm a doctor, not a mechanic!' ('Bones' McCoy)

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Thank you for your input. I have been having better luck finding info thru the search today. Must have been using wrong terminoligy yesterday. Spent most of the morning reading up on this topic. Looks like I will be replacing bearings this weekend.

                        Thanks again for the help everyone.
                        1980 XS Eleven Special

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Alan - your point is well taken. On mine I think I have spring issues too as I get a lot of dive on the front forks which can also cause problems as can the tires. My progressive spring set should be in tomorrow, so we'll see.

                          DB
                          I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

                          '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Hi DB,

                            I fited progressives to my SG and stopped using the air. The difference was unbelievable.

                            AlanB
                            If it ain't broke, modify it!

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Head Bearings

                              I was doing the head bearings on my friends Springer Softtail . They need them quite often . We threw the bike in the truck and went and got a friend to run a small arc bead aroung the inside of the race AND THEY POP RIGHT OUT . It was pretty slick
                              XJ1100K
                              Avon rubber
                              MikesXS black coils
                              Iridium plugs w/ 1k caps
                              MikesXS front master
                              Paragon SS brake lines (unlinked)
                              Loud Horns (Stebel/Fiamm)
                              Progressive fork springs
                              CIBIE headlight reflector
                              YICS Eliminator

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