redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted November 24, 2001 08:54 PM
 Edited By: redelk on 4 Aug 2003 17:40
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE ON HEAD BEARINGS! PLEASE READ!
Ever since the first 12R was delivered, I've heard hundreds of complants of loose head bearings. Like I had commented in the "HEAD BEARINGS" thread earlier, EXTREME CAUTION needs to be taken when tightening the steering stem nut, the steering stem lock nut and the allen nut on top of the upper triple clamp.
Let me repeat that... EXTREME CAUTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN WHEN TIGHTENING THESE NUTS!
The torque specs for the steering head nuts are as follows...
STEERING STEM NUT - 14.5 FT/LBS
STEERING STEM LOCK NUT - 88 INCH/LBS (equal to 7.33 ft/lbs)
ALLEN NUT ON TOP OF TRIPLE CLAMP - 36 FT/LBS
When I posted on the "HEAD BEARINGS" thread, I wasn't sure of the torque specs, but I knew that the were pretty low. I also recommended that for the most accurate method to do this is with NO WEIGHT on the lower triple clamp (no wheel, forks or upper triple clamp attached). Even when you raise the front end and loosen the fork bolts on both the upper and lower triple clamps, little thngs like the weight of the calipers dangling from the now tight brake lines could have an effect.
Extreme? Of course it is! It's just that when the "Tighten it till it feels right" method is used, the added weight of these items could possible fool you into thinking that it's correctly tightened. In actuality, it could easily be OVER TIGHTENED! You got to remember, the actual ball bearing and races are metal, but the ring that retains the balls is PLASTIC!
Since most of us don't have a "socket" that fits the steering head nuts (not counting the allen nut), tightening thes two nuts are a educated guess at best. Try tighening down some other "standard" nut or bolt on the bike to these specs. The steering stem nut hardly rates a solid "whack" of a screw driver with a hammer (unfortunatly my shock wrench doesn't fit these nuts). The retaining nut is just bearly finger tight.
If you got a good chunk of mileage on your bike, or you do a lot of wheelies and/or extremely hard braking, or you ride in what would be concidered a "dirty enviroment (rain, dusty roads, etc.), it wouldn't hurt to go ahead and take everyting apart and inspect everything. Clean the bearings and their races and repack everything with fresh grease. There really isn't a whole lot of grease in there to start with. Even with the rubber bushings, grit can get past them and gum up the bearing.
Now, I could be way off base on this. I never really felt that I have experienced loose head bearings and I'm not really sure I would know it if I did have this problem.
I do know that after tearing down my steering head, cleaning everything, repacking it with grease and tighening it down to as close to specs that I could guess, it does move a lot more freely and with less of a "notchy" feel. BTW, I didn't notice that "notchy" feel until I had removed the forks and held the calipers up by their brake lines (remove their weight off the upper triple clamp).
Just a word of caution.
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
   
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CrotchRocket
Moderator
Bracket Racing with Betsy
Posts: 8038
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posted November 24, 2001 09:38 PM
This is a good one RED...I do have a tool (socket) that tightens the bearing nut and lock nut!!!
Go to your local Honda dealer and order the neck bearing tightening socket for a '93 CBR900!!! Dont know if it's the same till '99...But, my buddy ordered it in 1993 when he bought the bike, so I know that year works!!!
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Jason Miller StreetBike Seminars
*****DragRacers do it better, because they dont cut Corners*****
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Dino
Pro
Posts: 1422
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posted August 04, 2003 04:49 PM
Fish uses a rock and a screwdriver 
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uh oh
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TurboBlew
Moderator
BUSY DOING THE SCHIAVO
Posts: 4590
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posted August 04, 2003 05:26 PM
< caveman voice >Fish also like woman to cook and clean....lol
Fish also like dealer to sell tire off new bike for cheap price
Fish also say PC3 / Yosh EMS same thing
(jk Fish)
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
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posted August 04, 2003 06:37 PM
I know.... cuz that was freek there turbo..... but good how the messenger gets blaimed even 3 years after the fact !  
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necro
Needs a job
My Grandma Is A Virgin
Posts: 2148
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posted August 04, 2003 10:29 PM
quote:
Fish uses a rock and a screwdriver
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3829
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necro
Needs a job
My Grandma Is A Virgin
Posts: 2148
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posted August 04, 2003 10:29 PM
quote:
quote:
Fish uses a rock and a screwdriver
Oh,
Oh well
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3829
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necro
Needs a job
My Grandma Is A Virgin
Posts: 2148
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posted August 04, 2003 10:30 PM
This reminds me. When I first got the bike I felt the steering head bearings were loose. I took back to the dealer. They looked at it and said everything is fine. Once in a while, it feels weird (whatever that means).
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3829
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ScaredyCat
Expert Class
Posts: 201
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posted August 05, 2003 02:27 AM
I'm getting a bit of head shaking now at 4000km, dunno if it's the front tyre getting screwed or the head bearings. Especially bad off the gas while sitting upright with very little pressure on the bars (so I suppose it's not really so bad!)
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If it ain't broke, BREAK IT.
 
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Otis
Needs a job
Captain Kickstand
Posts: 3028
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posted August 05, 2003 03:43 AM
Edited By: Otis on 5 Aug 2003 04:44
I'd say tires scaredycat. I have over 20K miles on my 12 and I can take my hands off the handlebars at any speed and there is no wobble.
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lubricity
Expert Class
Posts: 362
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posted August 05, 2003 04:15 AM
O, since you don't go over 59 mph, there won't ba any shake
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a poor 12 owner
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Otis
Needs a job
Captain Kickstand
Posts: 3028
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posted August 05, 2003 04:33 AM
LMAO lube. I know if I could just figure out how to get out of first gear I may go faster.
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