Can't turn fork when slowing down from high speeds?

[Kev]

The next question I have is if a Suzuki dealership will be able to change the steering head bearings (are the bearings common enough that they stock them generally or are they model and year specific?) and if so what the average cost is and how long it takes them? Obviously, i would love to do it myself but i rely on my bike for transportation and cannot have it sitting in the garage instead of on the road. I will call my local dealer tomorrow and find out. I just appreciate further input. Thanks to everyone.

[makenzie71]

SCan the local craigslist...lots of shadetree mechanics out there can save you some cash. Either way you're looking at a couple hours of labor and probably $50 in parts.

[tkent02]

The next question I have is if a Suzuki dealership will be able to change the steering head bearings (are the bearings common enough that they stock them generally or are they model and year specific?) and if so what the average cost is and how long it takes them? Obviously, i would love to do it myself but i rely on my bike for transportation and cannot have it sitting in the garage instead of on the road. I will call my local dealer tomorrow and find out. I just appreciate further input. Thanks to everyone.

Few dealers will even look at a bike that old, and if they do, they will do what they must do to sell you a new bike, not fix yours. Get the part number, order it, fix it yourself.

Better yet, try here:

https://www.allballsracing.com/index.php/

[makenzie71]

The bearings are pretty common...they should have them, but you may have to try a few different dealers...start with Suzuki, then try Yamaha.

[Kev]

Anyone know if they are model/year specific?

[SqDancerLynn1]

If you take it to a shop, that is if you can find one. I would bet it will take at least a week to get it in and done. You can do it yourself in a few hours if you have any mechanical abilities.

[DanTheMan]

If they are the tapered roller bearings, I found on my 850 they were not common or easy to find. The local Suzuki dealership would've had to order them, (a week out), the only match up at any local auto parts, Auto Value had them, (O'Reilly, Napa, Advance, Auto Value) was for a transfer case carrier bearing (it was correct), and I had to drive a 120 mile round trip to get mine when I needed it the same day I was putting my bike back together.

[Billy Ricks]

If there is a bearing shop in the area you should be able to pick up a set for less than a bike shop will want. You'll need to know what bearings though. They are pretty standard between GS models so someone here should be able to tell you the exact size. Yours should be tapered if it's an '83.

[Billy Ricks]

These are the sizes you need.

http://www.z1enterprises.com/products01/Steering-Bearing-SSH901-25x47x15-30x55x17.aspx

[tkent02]

These are the sizes you need.
http://www.z1enterprises.com/product...-30x55x17.aspx

At the local bearing shop they will be in the neighborhood of $10 ea.

[Kev]

Cool. Thanks for all the help guys. Does anyone else think 15000 is too early for these bearings to go out?

[makenzie71]

15,000 miles is a little early...but 27 years is a little late...

[tkent02]

They can last forever, or be ruined in a little while. It all depends on proper adjustment, keeping water out, lubrication.

[TheCafeKid]

They can last forever, or be ruined in a little while. It all depends on proper adjustment, keeping water out, lubrication.

Aye, leave em too loose and they'll bang big dimples into the race in short order. It's a damn shame none of these smart machinist members have taken to producing a simple socket to tighten that nut for us non machinist members. I've taken to using a drift and a hammer, but you can't torque wrench a hammer

[Griffin]

Cool. Thanks for all the help guys. Does anyone else think 15000 is too early for these bearings to go out?

Depends how addicted to wheelies the previous owner was.....