Tapered Steering bearings?

[mmatches1]

Here is another bizarre add on. My bike has tapered steering bearings top and bottom like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1980-YAMAH...-/330643894087

I can't find any schematic that shows these on an XS1100. Any others out there? Is it an aftermarket deal? I was able to get the top bearing out but can't seem to figure out how to get the bottom one out. The bearing sits in a rubber seal. Is it a matter of muscling it out? I tried prying it up with two screwdrivers and it didn't work. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Doug

[BA80]

I haven't run across one yet that doesn't have tapered bearings in it.

That bottom bearing will come off you just have to work it. If wors comes to worse. break the cage and cut the race with a dremmel cutting wheel as far as you can, then take a chisel and hammer in the groove you cut and finish cracking it. It will slip right off then.

If your trying to reuse it just clean and grease it on the steering stem.

[mmatches1]

I managed to cut the damned thing off - what a pain. I was hoping to repack it but that is not possible now. On the schematic the lower bearing looks like a flat wheel bearing. What a horrible illustration.

[BA80]

Wait until you try and get that lower race out of the frame neck.

[bikerphil]

On the schematic the lower bearing looks like a flat wheel bearing. What a horrible illustration.

That is because it also shows the race, it looks like one piece. When you take your new bearing/race out of the package it will look like the one in the schematic.

[mmatches1]

I decided to order new bearings top and bottom. Each assembly I dismantle results in more replacement parts and delays. Good thing riding season in Alberta does't start for a couple of months. I installed progressive springs in the forks today but the seals need replacing. Next can of worms step right up.

[skids]

Were the bearings bad? I believe that tapered bearings are pretty bullet proof for the steering tree.

[mmatches1]

I destroyed the lower bearing removing it and decided to replace both. They seem to come in sets.

[fredintoon]

I destroyed the lower bearing removing it and decided to replace both. They seem to come in sets.

Hi Doug,
put the new inner+rollers on the stem by tapping it down onto it's register with a hammer on the other end of a length of sch 40 pipe.
The pipe must rest on THE INNER RACE. It MUST NOT rest on the roller cage.
Be sure the rubber ring under the race is OK.
Carefully examine the outer cones. It's a hassle to get them out too.
If you can't see any marks on their conical surfaces it's OK to re-use them.

[mmatches1]

Will do. I haven't examined the races yet and hope they are okay. The set I ordered comes with new races. Thanks, Doug

PS. Love a good can of worms even if I complain about it. These old bikes wouldn't be much fun if you didn't have to fix em.