steering bearings

[MIKE550/4]

did a search but nothing to answer my questions on this,

when i bought the bike old boy gave me a set of taper roller bearings,

right i have taken the old racers out top and bottom,

no instructions with these, but the bearings going in the internal diameter differs
is there a top and bottom for these and if so which goes where , bigger at top?

also there is a spacer ( washer ) is this needed and if so does this go on top of the yoke just under main head nut

if i am way off or can point me to a link please do

[Bryanj]

The "inners" have different ID small to top big to bottom, washer goes onto steering stem before lower inner. Make sure you get the "outers" in right as once they are in up to the shoulder you cant get them out short of destruction

[MIKE550/4]

washer goes onto bottom yolk stem and then bearing on top and then into the bottom racer of the bike frame  ( if i read you correct )

actual racers then are the same size

thanks bryan

the racer itself any tips for getting these in square ( i was thinking hitting them into place like this , imagine a clock then hit 12,6,9.3 )

[Bryanj]

Thts the idea but use a "soft" drift and to get them all the way in use the old race as a spacer cos you can still get that out afterwards

[MIKE550/4]

hi

got the racers in, came up against another problem, when i do a dry fit , the top nut there is no thread to put top nut on 

only thing i can think of is there is a washer with a rubber washer on the stem of bottom yolk, does that have to come off to make room , will get a pic up of this bottom yolk to how you guys what i mean

Edited your post to enlarge picture, hope you don't mind...
Use "width=600" html in future - go to "edit post" and see what I mean.
Steve

[Bryanj]

Memory vague but seem to remember it was either the honda washer or the kit washer not both

[MIKE550/4]

should i prise this washer and rubber washers off and give it another go then you think

[Bryanj]

Try it without the washer from the kit first, I seem to remember washer went on some models but not others.

as long as bearings adjust nice with no free play all is OK

[MIKE550/4]

something not right here, without the washer that came from the kit, it still does not fit, top washer goes on and no threads left to put on top nut on,



bet this original honda washer will be a bugger to get off

[matthewmosse]

use some blocks of wood/ planks to cussion the yolks in a vice and use a chisel and hammer working progresssively round the yolk tap it off. when I fitted taper bearings to my 550 I used original rubber washer that was already there at the bottom, it was less than a mil thick. the bearing set I bought didn't come with any seals or washers though, it would have been nice to have a new washer to keep the new bearings clear of road dirt so don't leave it out. Almost looks in that piccky like the old bottom bearing race is still in place If so get rid...........

[MIKE550/4]

hi matthew

think you have cracked it, my mistake did not take bottom racer off

another lesson learned , jiust got to get this racer off now

[SteveD CB500K0]

Mike, do you have a "macro" or "close focus" setting on your camera? It looks as if it is struggling to focus on the parts due to being too close.

Steve

[MIKE550/4]

will try mate,  macro is what i was using but still not that clear,
trying to share my experiences with you guys  but camera ( or photographer )  not that good .

just out of interest did that racer look like a normal washer to you guys , looks quite clear this end

[Bryanj]

Sorry Mike but gotta say no cos washers is flat and that is shaped mate

[SteveD CB500K0]

Not a washer. Looks like the bottom of a ball race (but years since I last had this part in bits...)