Head and Bearing checks

[Slowdown]

I got 'checked' by the police at the NEC bike show.

They got me to put the bike on the sidestand and then looked for swing arm bearing play by wiggling (or trying to) the rear wheel side to side.

Then, with someone pushing down the back, they moved the front wheel from lock to lock. They also mentioned something about holding the front wheel fully to either side then letting go to see if the steering centred itself or not.

Anyone have a better checklist of things to look for than my hazy memory recalls?

 

[nedflanders]

I got 'checked' by the police at the NEC bike show.

They got me to put the bike on the sidestand and then looked for swing arm bearing play by wiggling (or trying to) the rear wheel side to side.

Then, with someone pushing down the back, they moved the front wheel from lock to lock. They also mentioned something about holding the front wheel fully to either side then letting go to see if the steering centred itself or not.

Anyone have a better checklist of things to look for than my hazy memory recalls?

I can understand the lock to lock check for the head bearings but the steering centralising sounds like complete bollox

 

[Pukmeister]

My steering has ALWAYS fell to the left when the front wheel is elevated.

 

[RickG]

The only way the steering will self centralise is if you are riding it. Maybe they were checking if it would be stable enough when doing a wheelie?

 

[Slowdown]

The only way the steering will self centralise is if you are riding it. Maybe they were checking if it would be stable enough when doing a wheelie?

Ah! Those crazy VOSA guys!!!


So, what do people do, maintenance wise?