Steering Head Bearings (Help)

[FormerGlory]

Ok, replacing the upper and lower steering head bearings on my '80 SG. The upper and lower races are in good condition so I want to leave them in and just replace the bearings.

I ordered the bearings from newmotorcycleparts.com, Part #TSB-1004. I received the bearings but neither seem to fit the old races. The upper bearing fits into the race, but it sits way too high compared with the old bearing. The bearing rollers on it are different too.

On the bottom, the new bearing is much smaller in diameter than the old race. It's ID fits well over the steering stem, but if it doesn't 'fit' the existing race it'll be much too loose.

Anyone had experience with this part #? Am I doing something wrong? I can't wait to figure this out so I ordered a new set from AllBalls which are supposed to be a direct OEM replacement. I'm assuming they will drop right in and fit.

[motoman]

Am I doing something wrong?/////////////Yes, NEVER put a new bearing in an old race! Take a dremal with a cut-off wheel, split the race and it will likely just fall out. Another method that works EVERY time is if you have a welder, run a bead around inside of race. Shrinks the race and again it will fall out. Since you have it that far apart, IMO do it right......

[DAVINCI]

+1 on that, the race / bearing is a matched set. There's a reason they don't sell 'em that way, ya know.

[FormerGlory]

Yep, you're right. I'll pull the races and install the new ones, with the new AllBall bearings. Turns out the bearings I received were for the XV1100, not the XS1100. Big difference.

Is there an easy method of seating the new races?

[crazy steve]

Are you sure you have the right bearings? Here's the numbers (post 4).... http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...earing+numbers
According to Newmotorcycleparts' site, those are All-balls bearings, so you should check. It's also possible that the particular combination they sell may not be be an exact duplicate, but will fit in place of OEM but only if you replace both.

Those 'timken' numbers are standardized, so any bearing supply should be able to get them with that info.

[petejw]

Yep, you're right. I'll pull the races and install the new ones, with the new AllBall bearings. Turns out the bearings I received were for the XV1100, not the XS1100. Big difference.

Is there an easy method of seating the new races?

stick the races in the freezer for a bit, thatll shrink them slightly,
(its not neccessary but it helps)
i use a socket with the same outside diameter as the race and
tap it in straight, u can also use the old race if u havent
trashed it getting it out, but i prefer the socket.

[jetmechmarty]

Is there an easy method of seating the new races?

I have a set of bearing drivers (or whatever they're called). They're soft metal and always the proper size. Alternatively, how about a brass drift?

[motoman]

Guess you could use a brass drift punch, but not necessary as the races are harder than the hubs of h*ll anyways.

[DAVINCI]

After you pull the old races, split them with a dremel or hacksaw. Then you can use them as rams to knock the new ones in. The split will keep them from sticking in the bores. Unfortunately, they're two different sizes, so you have to alter both of them.