Steering head bearing help

[Swim_fan02]

Hey guys I got an 81 gs450l and I have reason to believe that my steering head bearing is possibly going or has already gone bad. The steering feels extremely loose. I have tried to tighten the top nut but it won't budge. I do not want to torque it and break it if it is already tightened all the way. I noticed the other day while riding I hit a bump and sounded like my tank bounced and hit the frame. I checked the bolt and it is tight. I tried wiggling it and bouncing it and it doesn't move at all. I sat the bike on its center stand last night and sat back and the handlebars just flop from side to side when I try to put it at center. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated. The guys at my local powersports dealer are starting to know me by first name basis. Lol.

 

[bonanzadave]

By tightening the big stem nut you are drawing the top and bottom fork clamps closer together. You need to loosen one of the fork clamps in order to to tighten the stem nut.

 

[Swim_fan02]

Thanks I'll see if that helps.

 

[ChicagoBob]

You should pull off the top triple and take a look at the bearings, or at least see how well they can be adjusted at that point. The nut on top of the triple clamp doesn't adjust anything. You adjust the bearing clearance by turning the large flat nut (the one under the top triple clamp, with four notches in its circumference).

The top triple comes off easily once you loosen the top bolt and the three clamp bolts.

 

[7981GS]

TAKE THE TRIPLE TREE OUT AND INSPECT THE BEARINGS!

Clear?

Eric

 

[Jedz123]

Oh Wow... Was that triple tree soaking in salty water for a year??? lol

 

[7981GS]

They ALL look like that after 20-30,000 miles and no new grease added.
No one ever seems to think about greasing them. Just like no one ever adjusts valves.

Eric

 

[Jedz123]

CONVINCED! I'm going tear into the triple tree on my B-12 today! I haven't torn into it since I bought it... Just hit 51k the other day, Not notchy or loose but better re grease anyway! Oof
Thanks Eric!

 

[Swim_fan02]

Thanks for the advice I will check into it when I get home later.

 

[posplayr]

TAKE THE TRIPLE TREE OUT AND INSPECT THE BEARINGS!

Clear?

Eric

Eric, you are missing a roller

 

[7981GS]

Eric, you are missing a roller

Thanks! Really?

Eric

 

[Jedz123]

Thanks Eric for the post!

Bearings are in good shape, but barley.... bone dry in there

Tree looked good but was lacking grease... repacked and good to go!

Only took 45 minutes total....


THANK YOU ON THE ADVISE!!! CHECK YOUR HEAD BEARINGS OFTEN!!!!

 

[Guest]

I would replace the bearings and races if I had found mine like that.

 

[7981GS]

I use CATERPILLAR Desert Gold Synthetic grease on those bearings as well as the swing arm bearings.
Any good Synthetic wheel hearing grease should work well also.
The Honda Moly for the shafty splines would probably be a good choice if you happen to have some of that around.

Eric

 

[Jedz123]

I use CATERPILLAR Desert Gold Synthetic grease on those bearings as well as the swing arm bearings.
Any good Synthetic wheel hearing grease should work well also.
The Honda Moly for the shafty splines would probably be a good choice if you happen to have some of that around.

Eric

I replaced those bearings last year the same time I did the fork seals but that's coming up on 22k miles ago.. I use my Japanese Auto Import Full Synthetic wheel bearing grease, I think I'm going to get into the habit of packing these every year before I start my season. Thanks again for the note Eric for I had no intention of checking them anytime soon... Wow saved by the Post!

 

[7981GS]

Every "new to me" bike that I have ever purchased, had no grease on the steering head or traces of what might have once been there.
A thicker water-repellant type synthetic grease should do well for at least a few years.

Eric

 

[salty_monk]

I use a waterproof Marine Grease. Maxima does a blue sticky one that you can't shift from anything for about $9 a pot....

http://www.maximausa.com/shopping/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=26