Front end issues, suggestions?

[XS11NEWROSS]

The first set I did I put it all together and thought everything was good, after riding a couple days I noticed a clunk in the front end when I used the front brake. The whole thing had loosened up and was moving back and forth.

The adjusting nut and jam nut were still jammed together good. I hadn't seated either that lower bearing or on of the 2 races completely somehow.

That's why I said to check that lower bearing. I Think this is what is going on with yours. Be SURE both races are driven home and that lower bearing is down all the way on that inner tube.

I'm pretty sure I have not got one of the races in enough, bottom one looks pretty good but the top one looks wrong. I think I will start again.

[bikerphil]

If the lower seal is left off, the grease may want to seep out from gravity, more prone to in very hot weather. I have had this happen before and it makes a mess I tell you. YMMV

[XS11NEWROSS]

You're 100% right there Phil, will try to get the bearing off the shaft again and refitting a seal. I will have to take that race out again if I go with a new one as I think most people would say only use matching race/bearing set. Not looking forward to that.

[BA80]

New bearing new race you're ok. New race old bearing your ok. New bearing old race not ok.

Since this isn't a high speed or high load application it isn't really critical anyway. If the race is new and you put a new bearing on it you'll be good to go.

[Radioguylogs]

I get it

Hi Mike,

The following link may be the part Ross is referring to:

http://xs1100.com/partinfo.php?myid=...J7-23415-00-00


Been a few years since I did the steering on my "G" but if I'm not mistaken that part has a seal like rubber edge, more like a dust seal, and if yours isn't damaged it can be reused.

John: Thanks for the feedback. I checked out that part. It's the metal cup that sits upside down under the stem bolt:


Paul: Thanks for the pictures- I see that the seals are unique to the All Balls kit, and, like you, I would think it's good idea if you could have managed to make them fit.

Hope you get everything to fit correctly.

[XS11NEWROSS]

New bearing new race you're ok. New race old bearing your ok. New bearing old race not ok.

Since this isn't a high speed or high load application it isn't really critical anyway. If the race is new and you put a new bearing on it you'll be good to go.

Thanks Greg, I had a go at getting the bearing off of the stem again and replacing the old seal which was not badly damaged at all when I cleaned it up, I got it off and replaced it back, all seems good, that was the easy bit!

[XS11NEWROSS]

John: Thanks for the feedback. I checked out that part. It's the metal cup that sits upside down under the stem bolt:


Paul: Thanks for the pictures- I see that the seals are unique to the All Balls kit, and, like you, I would think it's good idea if you could have managed to make them fit.

Hope you get everything to fit correctly.

No problem Mike, but getting it all to fit is not happening yet.

[XS11NEWROSS]

Dismantle again .... pub is looking good now

I got the bottom seal and bearing back in good, very happy with the bottom race too, still not enough room at the top though. Put it all back together including wheel - the lot, and couldn't stop thinking that it's wrong... the headlamp ears etc., are still loose, the top tree is too high and the really I am thinking that the top tree should sit level with the steering stem thread when you are done. This would ensure that when you torque down that chrome bolt it tightens up everything below and it it not level, about 2mm high. SO... off with the whole lot. Dremel out again to remove upper race which was a bitch to get out this time. I had tried using the threaded bar to see if I could force down the race any further but unlike the lower (which sits recessed) this one is level with the frame. When I got it out, it seems identical to the original. I will now have to order another bearing but would anyone possibly be able to confirm if the top race should be recessed when fitted correctly? It was impossible to drive this one into the frame any further. I should have taken a photo of the original one but didn't I could easily have stuck a rubber to stop the h/lamp from rattling but I want it to be correct - really annoyed now and it is probably something stupid.

[XS11NEWROSS]

Nice drawers ...

Paul,

The Fridge


The Hammer drawer


Rick getting ready to cut the bearing


I missed taking apicture of the sparks flying
Phil

My hammer ans screwdriver drawers are getting bigger by the minute. That fridge looks tasty though

[XS11NEWROSS]

I got the bottom seal and bearing back in good, very happy with the bottom race too, still not enough room at the top though. Put it all back together including wheel - the lot, and couldn't stop thinking that it's wrong... the headlamp ears etc., are still loose, the top tree is too high and the really I am thinking that the top tree should sit level with the steering stem thread when you are done. This would ensure that when you torque down that chrome bolt it tightens up everything below and it it not level, about 2mm high. SO... off with the whole lot. Dremel out again to remove upper race which was a bitch to get out this time. I had tried using the threaded bar to see if I could force down the race any further but unlike the lower (which sits recessed) this one is level with the frame. When I got it out, it seems identical to the original. I will now have to order another bearing but would anyone possibly be able to confirm if the top race should be recessed when fitted correctly? It was impossible to drive this one into the frame any further. I should have taken a photo of the original one but didn't I could easily have stuck a rubber to stop the h/lamp from rattling but I want it to be correct - really annoyed now and it is probably something stupid.

This is where I need to understand, in the pic, the outer race is exactly level with the frame... should this be down in the frame more?

[BA80]

Sorry about the rust on the first 2. Taken of a junk frame behind the shed.

Upper race installed....



Lower race installed.......



Upper bearing installed without cup or nut.........



Upper bearing installed with cup and nut.......



Lower bearing installed with tree.......

[XS11NEWROSS]

Sorry about the rust on the first 2. Taken of a junk frame behind the shed.

Upper race installed....



Lower race installed.......



Upper bearing installed without cup or nut.........



Upper bearing installed with cup and nut.......



Lower bearing installed with tree.......

Thanks so much Greg, looks like I have really made a mistake here, I definately had the top-race installed perfectly, the only difference I can see is that I have a second "lock nut" which I thought should be there (same size) which of course takes up space too. What I can't understand is that the old bearing and race seem identical and fitted fine. The only other possible is if the lower race was not up enough but it is up fully. That has really helped to clarify things.

[BA80]

That second lock nut IS supposed to be there. I just left it off for the pic.

[XS11NEWROSS]

Thanks so much again Greg, I will re-order a new one- wish I had gone to pub now instead of cutting it out! - Patience had waned greatly. I will wait a few days as I have now checked the shims and 3 are out so need to get them suckers out, my initial efforts with that motion-pro has not been enjoyable, in fact it has been pathetic, that'll be a new thread
I shall order parts together as shipping is 25$ ex U.K.

[BA80]

The Motion-Pro tool takes some finesse but is actually fairly easy once you get the hang of it.

You're going to order a new what?? Lower race?