Advice Please "Handle Bar Movement"

[Ravenbyrne]

I was doing a wee bit of work on my 2008 GSA and I notices that there is some up and down movement on the handle bars (not left and right).

With the bike on the center stand I and holding one grip I can move the bars up and down, not a huge amount but very noticeable. I never noticed this before, is it normal or a steering head bearing problem...

Any ideas,

Cheers,
Brian

 

[phooey]

That sounds very much like the steering head bearing. When you rock the bars up and down do you hear or feel a slight 'knock' ?
Look closely at the point the top yoke meets the fork tube and you can see the slight up and down movement.
Not difficult to DIY but a bit fiddly tbh...

 

[Bendy toy]

To avoid damaging the petrol tank, cover it with some anti slip rubber mesh. It wont slip off and it cushions anything falling onto the paint.

Mine did a clunk the other day on sudden braking. its not happened again, but sounds like my head bearing (or front swing arm ball joint) is going.

 

[Ravenbyrne]

Thanks guys, there is no knocking but there is very visible movement in the top yoke, looks like a new head bearing needs ordering.