Steering Head Bearings - Stem Problems

[gaillarry]

Changing out the triple tree on my 84 GS550, which was bent when the bike hit a curb. The fork tube was bent and the lower triple tree twisted. I picked up a used tree from fleabay. I'm using AllBalls tapered bearings. My problem is the new tree (left tree in pic) has a lip on the lower stem while the old tree has a flat surface. The old tree used tapered bearings. Will the new tapered bearing fit on the lip or should it be removed? I presume the lip is for ball bearings.

I dont' want to drive the new bearing on, and find out it won't work.

[bonanzadave]

Not sure if this applies but......

The All Balls site has some tech info PDFs about modifying the stems.

http://www.goallballs.com/knowledge_center.asp?page=METRIC

[gaillarry]

Thanks but it doesn't apply.

[hillsy]

Yes that looks like a ball bearing cup and it will need to be removed before you press the new bearing on.

If you clamp the stem (upside down) in a vice you will be able to get a punch onto the rear of the race and drift it down / off.
I use a couple of pieces of 2" right angle alloy in my vice as a set of soft jaws so I don't damage the stem.

[gaillarry]

Thanks, that confirms what I thought!!!