Author Topic: Steering Bearing  (Read 2240 times)

Offline Saesneg Shaun

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Steering Bearing
« on: June 20, 2024, 09:30:53 PM »
I had the front end off the ground on my k6 to investigate a dragging brake.
I noticed with no weight on the steering it seems to lock into a straight ahead position and a slight resistance to move to the left or right.
I'm assuming this isn't normal and indicates worn steering head bearings?

Who sells replacement bearings, DSS doesn't seem to stock them?
My Bikes
76' Honda CB750K6
78' Honda GL1000
73' Suzuki GT380K
83' Suzuki GS1100ES

Offline Bryanj

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Re: Steering Bearing
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2024, 10:16:02 PM »
DS does sell both original type kits and taper roller replacements also kits on ebay

Offline Saesneg Shaun

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Re: Steering Bearing
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2024, 10:50:02 PM »
Thanks Bryan. Don't know how I missed them but found them now. Are taper bearings the way to go?
My Bikes
76' Honda CB750K6
78' Honda GL1000
73' Suzuki GT380K
83' Suzuki GS1100ES

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Steering Bearing
« Reply #3 on: June 20, 2024, 11:13:12 PM »
Pyramid do a decent set of honda taper roller kits.
Honda CB400NA Superdream (current money puddle)
Honda CB500 K1 (second money pit)
https://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,28541.0.html
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html
This is a neat 500 restoration in the USA.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,151576.msg1731556.html#msg1731556

Offline Laverda Dave

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Re: Steering Bearing
« Reply #4 on: June 21, 2024, 12:09:15 AM »
Be careful with taper roller kits, a few members on this forum (including me) have had clearance issues with these kits especially the top taper bearing that protudes above the top of the headstock making it difficult to obtain enough thread on the steering stem for the steering nut.
There are are a number of posts on this subject if you do a search.
The above is certainly the case on the 400, the 750 may not suffer the same issues, maybe someone who has fitted such a kit to the 750 can confirm.
1976 Honda 400/4
1977 Rickman Honda CR750
1999 Honda VFR 800FX
1955 750 Dresda Triton
1978 Moto Morini 350 Sport
1978 Honda CB400/4 'The Flying Banana'
1982 Laverda 120 Jota
2020 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
1990 Honda VFR400R NC30

Offline Bryanj

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Re: Steering Bearing
« Reply #5 on: June 21, 2024, 12:30:13 AM »
My personal opinion is that tapers are no better than originals, they still indent as they dont actualy roll only move20-30deg each way plus the outer races are an absolute swine to remove later.
I will look for a few and post for you

Offline Bryanj

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Re: Steering Bearing
« Reply #6 on: June 21, 2024, 12:36:20 AM »
Motorcycle products.co.uk, hopfully 2 pics attached

Offline Saesneg Shaun

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Re: Steering Bearing
« Reply #7 on: June 21, 2024, 08:00:30 AM »
Thanks for the replies.
I did search a bit before posting but didn't find much specific to my bike. Seems a bit hit and miss, some people have been supplied and used spacers, some not.
I did see mention of tapers increasing the top tree height leaving a visible gap which I don't want.
I don't do much millage and if its not going to make much difference I think i'll just get some standard bearings from Bryan's links.
Anything is going to be an improvement on 48yr old bearings and long gone grease.
My Bikes
76' Honda CB750K6
78' Honda GL1000
73' Suzuki GT380K
83' Suzuki GS1100ES

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Steering Bearing
« Reply #8 on: June 21, 2024, 08:31:54 AM »
Sound logic Shaun.
Honda CB400NA Superdream (current money puddle)
Honda CB500 K1 (second money pit)
https://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,28541.0.html
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html
This is a neat 500 restoration in the USA.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,151576.msg1731556.html#msg1731556

Offline Bryanj

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Re: Steering Bearing
« Reply #9 on: June 21, 2024, 09:20:34 AM »
The ones i linked are easier to fit as the balls are caged not loose, look through the website to see if you need anything else to make postage worth it but do look at all the relevant pages as you may find similar things at different prices(oil filters for example)

Offline Martin6

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Re: Steering Bearing
« Reply #10 on: June 21, 2024, 05:32:45 PM »
I replaced mine on my K6 with the DSS ball bearing kit. Was a pig keeping the lower balls in place, so the caged version looks the ticket. The DSS bearings work fine though.

Offline Mike_Berkshire

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Re: Steering Bearing
« Reply #11 on: June 21, 2024, 10:21:56 PM »
Today I fitted a new set of head bearings with loose ball bearings to my 550. I assume the setup is very similar for the 750. I didn’t have any trouble as the grease stuck the bearings in place whilst I put it together. After having read the posts about potential issues with roller bearings I thought I would go for original style. After all, if it lasted ok for over 40 years with them they’re probably going to see me out.