► Steering head Bearings

[Pukmeister]

Many moons ago my beloved old YZF600R 'Thundercat' hat notchy head races when I bought it ( a brilliant underrated bike with a few minor flaws). A stripdown revealed cheap pattern parts missing the crucial rubber seal to keep shite out of the bearings. Fitting the correct Yamaha parts cured it permanently. The Seiko Koyo bearings with the same part number didn't have the crucial bonded rubber dust seal.

Does the BMW part have a bonded rubber dust seals on the head bearings similar to the Yamaha part? Worth checking as if it does, fitting poorer quality pattern parts could prove to be a false economy.

 

[RickM]

The dust seal does not have to be bonded. OEM fitment for the 800GS (and XT660Z) consists of a separate sealing washer. Sealed bearings are an aftermarket option. ALL bearings are "pattern parts" because they are bought in components by bike manufacturers. "Pattern parts" may be cheap because they don't have the over-inflated price as those resold by the vehicle manufacturer: As I stated previously, the "BMW" steering bearings I removed were in fact NTN bearings.
So lets assume:
BMW bearings are good;
Aftermarket bearings are good;
Adequate grease has been applied;
Steering bearings have been fitted correctly;
Steering stem sufficiently tightened;
No off road riding;
No wheelies and;
No more an aggressive riding style than that with previous bikes of similar weight and speed capabilities.

But the steering bearings still wear out in about 3,000 miles.

I suppose there is one possibility: maybe both the BMW dealer mechanic and I are crap at fitting them!!!

Oh, I give up!!.......

 

[rodooo]

Rick m have u gotten too the bottom of your bearing issue. I am in same boat

 

[RickM]

Well, my current steering bearings have lasted over 10k miles with no discernible notching as yet.

Is it any coincidence that the longer mileage is after having done the "Advrider" mod to the front brake discs???

 

[rodooo]

New koyo head bearings fitted. Tried skf last few times and haven't lasted. All adjusted correct so hopefully they will last longer than 500 miles.
Has anybody tried running them just slightly tighter??

 

[Micky]

New koyo head bearings fitted. Tried skf last few times and haven't lasted. All adjusted correct so hopefully they will last longer than 500 miles.
Has anybody tried running them just slightly tighter??

Yup

Rather than fit & forget I've just nudged mine up a bit when they seemed to have 'settled in' No torque settings, just old fashioned 'feel'

I've had Koyo, SKF, NSK and others, no difference between them to be honest!

C'mon BMW get your finger out .... just like your chains eh

If they seem to settle in again I'll nudge them up a tad again

Good luck Rodooo, your in the lap of the Gods, not BMW, 'cos they dunt give a shit

 

[rodooo]

I have them slightly tighter so that the bars don't just fall from side too side with front wheel in the air. Ill do say 50 miles and then tighten just ever so slightly again.
I hope this is the end of this for a while. Wouldn't mind if they even lasted 6 thou only. This is the last straw with this bike.

 

[rodooo]

Took bike out tonight. Done all wee roads that were rough ish. Bit nothing too bad. After 40 miles there is the slightest wee notch in the straight ahead position
This is doing my head in. I have fitted piles of bearings to bikes before with never a issue. Enough is enough.

 

[Micky]

Took bike out tonight. Done all wee roads that were rough ish. Bit nothing too bad. After 40 miles there is the slightest wee notch in the straight ahead position
This is doing my head in. I have fitted piles of bearings to bikes before with never a issue. Enough is enough.

Mmmmm see my post above. Just back from the Stella Alpina Rally, 2,000+ miles since fitting the new head bearings. Tweaked them up while down in the south of France after they seemed to free up a bit

Maybe will tweak them up a bit agin in the next few days.... no torque settings, all by old fashioned feel. Just checked 'em today, no sign at all of any notchiness, going to go by my own instincts and keep them on the tight side of slack

 

[rodooo]

Mine Micky were tight enough ok. I just know they will go back just like the other sets very quickly. Can't understand it. Definitely very minimal notch in dead straight ahead position. I have them tight enough that the bars don't fall away too either side when front wheel in air.
Surely if I feel a very slight bit now at 40 miles if I tighten any more it will feel worse? Steering be hard too turn if put much tighter
Now i have to be turning bars really really slowly to feel it. If turn normal feel nothing

 

[rodooo]

Surely too tight would be a disaster too and they won't last

 

[Micky]

Surely too tight would be a disaster too and they won't last

Mmmmmm there's tight and there's too tight
Any slack whatsoever spells certain death, of that I'm pretty sure.

I think we want good quality waterproof grease and absolutely no play whatsoever. For sure the bearings settle down after a few miles and want nipping up a little, but how much 'nipping up'

Suggestions of fitting grease nipples and pumping plenty grease in is a daft idea, the roller bearings will just wipe out any excess as they roll about, leaving the thinnest layer of grease, probably microns thick, between the surfaces.

So having nipped up the slack feeling bearings (no discernible play at all) in the south of France last week, after they had settled in, the steering feels nice and smooth. If they appear to settle down and go freer again then I'll take the top nut round a further five degrees.

Two and a half thousand miles now since fitted, and they're feeling as good as new. Normally they would have been notchy by now had I left them a tad loose ....

Maybe tight ish, but not tight and certainly not too tight .... but dunno how you equate that on paper or keyboard

 

[rodooo]

I put a marker mark on centre nut where the last set was torqued too. This time it is about another quarter turn beyond what the manual says. Worth a try.
Really love this bike but this is doing my head in. So simple a job really
Really appreciate everyone's help

 

[v8legend]

Guess what!

After 5 years and 17500 miles (beat that Micky), my steering has gone notchy around the dead ahead.

Looks like I'll be busy at the weekend.

 

[ferrol]

I'm on 1 set every 6 months or 6000 service which ever is first. 3rd set now.

--- This post represents the official views of the voices in my head.

 

[vaclove]

My bearings start to go

After 23000, my bearings may need a replacement.
I honestly have difficulty to identify whether the bearings are loose or not. I know how people describe it, when they are loose, but can not feel any major loosenes on mine. Well, since my bike it the only one I ever had, I can't compare it with anything. There is a small play, but I won't say it is knotchy. Neither can I say it is really smooth.
How serious issue, the loose bearing is? I understand, it has an effect on bike handling, but is it something that can render your bike unrideable?

This may be question for Mickey, or some other globerider. Are you guys carrying spare bearings with you, when in remote areas?

I have checked how the bearings are changed in BMW service manual, but I feel, it is bit complicated operation. Especially getting the external ring in and out. Would you suggest I go to a garage or try to do it myself?

 

[MikeMike]

You are way overthinking this.
It isn't rocket science. It is Motorrad. Follow the instructions and you can do it on the sidewalk in front of the bearing shop.
Depending on whether or not you live in some anal retentive municipality that frowns on the curb side mechanical work.

Here is how it is done.

 

[vaclove]

If they would put this picture..

..into a service manual it would give me much better idea.

I haven't been going much maintenance and servicing on my bike yet, but would like to change it. As with many things, first time is the most difficult. You are right, it is not a rocket science.

 

[Micky]

Guess what!

After 5 years and 17500 miles (beat that Micky), my steering has gone notchy around the dead ahead.

Looks like I'll be busy at the weekend.

18,975 miles my originals packed in .... at one year old

Had a few in since though

 

[Smythson]

..into a service manual it would give me much better idea.

I haven't been going much maintenance and servicing on my bike yet, but would like to change it. As with many things, first time is the most difficult. You are right, it is not a rocket science.

Not a manual but pretty good -

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=716362

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