Steering Problems!!!

[tomcos67]

1980,1100 g.Started noticing when I turn steering issues.Didn't want to turn back.Stiff, you might say.Also a little scary!!! Some clicking when just sitting there, turning wheel from side to side.What's my next move..Any help would be appreciated.Comes and goes....Thank You.Have a nice evening.

[motoman]

1980,1100 g.Started noticing when I turn steering issues.Didn't want to turn back.Stiff, you might say.Also a little scary!!! Some clicking when just sitting there, turning wheel from side to side.What's my next move..Any help would be appreciated.Comes and goes....Thank You.Have a nice evening.

Steering neck bearing replacement, due to lack of maint., proper adj., etc. is in your near future.

[3Phase]

Well, that can't be good, sounds like something bent or a bearing retainer came apart.

Tom, put the bike on the center stand and carefully lift the front wheel off the ground by putting a jack and jackstands under the frame crossbar just behind the exhaust headers.

The bike's not going to like being up in the air like that so try not to knock it over but gently turn the handlebars from side to side and feel for any resistance or crunchy bearings.

Grab hold of the front wheel and try to rock the forks fore and aft to see/feel if there's slop in the bearings. Don't knock the bike off the jackstands.

There's supposed to be a high spot in the steering that helps hold the steering centered. Ideally the handlebars and front wheel should stay centered by themselves and slowly fall off all the way to the right or the left when nudged off-center.

If anything at all feels crunchy or the steering binds, don't ride the bike until you've checked the bearings and the triple tree.

.

[TopCatGr58]

I'll agree with the suspected problem...the steering head bearings...but I'll cautiously disagree with the need to replace them! BECAUSE mine sat outside uncovered for 9 years, got all sorts of corrosion and water infiltration into the bearings....the lube got all dried up and "crunchy". I, too thought I would need to replace them and the RACES. BUT after I took it apart, cleaned up the bearings and races....they were totally smooth and not actually rusted, and after repacking them, putting it all back together, their action was smooth as silk, and has been fine since my rebuild in 2000.

SO...don't go and order a replacement bearing/race kit YET....take it apart and clean and inspect it....you may be pleasantly surprised with just dirty dried up grease, but NO NOTCHING in the races or rust in the bearings, and will just need cleaning/repacking! YMMV!

T.C.

[tomcos67]

steering

Thank You ! For input , Again.