68
STEERING HEAD BEARINGS & STEERING STEM - SERVICE & REPAIR
1.
Remove the triple clamps/steering stem (
PagE 60
).
2.
Remove the bearing shield, X-Ring, upper steering
head bearing and O-ring from the steering head.
3.
Using two screwdrivers, pry up the lower steering
head bearing from the steering stem, and remove the
seal. If the bearing is stuck, use a bearing splitter and
press to draw it off. Remove the seal from the steering
stem.
4.
Wipe the upper and lower bearing races in the
steering head clean, and inspect them for wear. If the
bearings are being replaced, the races must be
replaced too. To remove the races, drive them out
from the opposite sides with a hammer and long drift.
5.
The races can be installed with a bearing driver, but
it’s best to use a steering head bearing press tool with
the proper adapters. They must be installed squarely
and until they bottom out. (
Fig. 20 & 21
)
6.
The steering stem can be removed from the lower
triple clamp by removing the two bolts from the
underside of the triple clamp. (
Fig. 22
)
7.
The fork offset can be adjusted by repositioning the
steering stem in the lower triple clamp. Standard
setting is with the steering stem offset to the rear; the
stem can be positioned with the offset toward the
front. As-shipped with the stem offset towards the
rear, the bike has less trail and therefore quicker
steering. Moving the stem offset towards the front
increases the trail which results in heavier steering
but more stability. (
Fig. 23
)
Fig. 32
Fig. 34
Fig. 31
Fig. 21
Fig. 23
Fig. 22
Fig. 20
CHAPTER 4
