Installing lower bearing on steering stem??

[XS1100 Newbie]

Make sure you don't get the bearing so hot that you hurt your seal. just need it hot. Do it outside if you can. Doesn't smell like stirfry, more like, well burnt oil.

[gui_tarzan]

Soooooo....

How do you get that #&^#$%#$T lower bearing OFF???

[b.walker5]

Look down the stem from the top and you'll find two cut away notches, one either side. Get a piece of 3/8 rod and file a flat one one end, so it fits the notch better and drive the race out, tapping lightly either side until it moves.

[gui_tarzan]

Not the race, the bearing. How do you get it off the shaft?

[crazy steve]

Not the race, the bearing. How do you get it off the shaft?

Well, with typical home workshop tools you have several choices, but only one I can think of that doesn't destroy the bearing.

Lay the lower tree on a firm wood surface with the bearing 'up', or in a vise upside down, then use a cold chisel between the base of the stem and the bearing. Give it some good whacks until it comes off. This will usually not damage the bearing, but may booger up the seal.

If you intend to replace the bearing, you can grind/cut them off.

[gui_tarzan]

Ok, I'll try that. I do want to replace the bearings, I don't want to take any chances with this steering. The bike only has 10k on the speedo but I'm still going to play it safe.

[crazy steve]

These bearings rarely need replacing unless they're rusty or if you feel 'notchiness' when turning them. 'Stained' races are typical and won't hurt anything. You could just clean the bearing in place then manually repack it.

[Cleansoul]

Removing the old lower race

I have a XS1100SH that I am restauring as best as I can.
I have a new set of steering bearing from all balls.
I took of the upper race without difficult, but the lower race does not come out.
The main tube (where the race is set) has only two very thin and narrow spaces to push or pull down the race.

Is there a propper tool for taking it OUT. Where to find it? What is the tool?
Is necessary to heat up the tube in order to get the race out?

Thank you.

[bikerphil]

You can carefully cut it with a dremel just enought to weaken it, then go at it with a cold chisel. There is a special tool to remove it, I have never used it though....

http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Tools%3AHeadbrgdrvr&cat=39

[jetmechmarty]

I did this job recently. I bought a Dremel tool from my local hardware store to cut the race out. The cutouts in the neck are too small to get a bite with any kind of drift. Yamaha intended for you to discard the motorcycle before replacing this bearing. Cutting the race out with the small cutoff wheel wasn't exactly simple either.

Phil,

That tool is completely useless for this application. I installed the races with an automotive race driver.

[bikerphil]

Phil, That tool is completely useless for this application. I installed the races with an automotive race driver.

Lol, installing them is the easy part. That tool I mentioned supposedly works on the FJ which uses the same steering bearings as our XS's, the inside of the XS neck may be different.