Headstock bearings

[Dave Hall]

My 650GS is approaching 12k miles and has just had its second set of HSB courtesy of BMW. I`m assuming this set will not see 7k like the last two sets did`nt, so as my bike will be out of warranty by then I`d like to fit some bearings that wont melt in front of the fire. Does anyone know the SKF or similar reference number...I like to buy them before I take the old ones off in case of supply problems. Cheers

 

[Whele]

Hi Dave - I am sure the Headstock Bearings are SKF 320/23 X/Q

 

[Dave Hall]

Thanks for that Whele

 

[RubberMan]

Dave, my 650 Dakar is approaching 4.5k miles and I have noticed a slight wobble when cornering and a bit of vibration under braking. Are these tell tale signs of my HSB's going AWOL? I have never replaced them on a bike before so am unsure what to expect. Cheers.

 

[Dave Hall]

Hi Rubberman......If you pull the handlebars towards you whilst stood next to the sidestand (I`m assuming you dont have a mainstand) you can tip the bike so the front wheel is off the ground a bit. Then move the handlebars to & fro and if the bearings are gone you`ll feel some, or a lot of, notchyness.
If you ride with shagged bearings it`ll feel very vague manouvering at low speed and will catch you out in mid corner at higher speeds ...as if you got the bend all wrong.
I think the 650GS is hard on HSB anyway but the confections that BMW use dont seem up to the job at all.
If your Dakar is less than 2 years old get a dealer to do it under warranty but the message I get from them is they can only use genuine BMW/Cadbury bearings.

 

[RubberMan]

Thanks, I will give it a go. I had heard that the bearings were a weak point. The bike is under warranty so it looks like it will be another choccy set.

 

[Whele]

When I took the bike in for the 6000mile service I realised the head bearing were in need of relacement, the dealer doing the service (Coopers) reported the head bearings were in need replacement under warenty so I instructed them to look under the rear seat compartment where I just happened to have a set of SKF bearings which they happily installed FOC. Everyone gained.

 

[Onepot]

I have a 2000 Dakar and I've just had to replace the headrace bearings.(first time since I bought the bike in 2003). I do use the bike for trail riding which adds to the wear rate due to ingress of water and mud etc.
I do all my work myself (it's kinda my trade) and would normally buy bearings at an engineering services outlet, but I bought these through 'motorworks' because I also needed the small cup/cap that the bearing sits in (it's practically impossible to get the inner of the bearing off the stem without destroying it!) it's less than two quid but you can't complete without it. So I ordered the bearings and cup by phone for simplicity, and they were here within two days.
I obviously can't comment on longevity yet but there is a knack to fitting them - they wear out quick if overtightened, but can't be too loose either! I also pack 'em with grease.
I did write the bearing number down but threw it out when I decided to buy as above - the motorworks part no's are 'STA85070' (head bearing) and 'STA34509' (lower cap)
Hope this helps
Dave.

 

[Pukmeister]

I had a similar problem with my Yamaha headstock bearings. I fitted a cheap set bought online and they had no bonded rubber seals (didn't know before I paid for them). They were probably made in China and lasted about 6 months.

Instead of buying the genuine Yamaha parts second time, I bought KOYO brand parts (same item as Yamaha use, different packet, half the price) and these came with bonded rubber seals and are perfect.

Be sure that any parts you buy come with the seals etc, don't make the same mistake I did first time around.

 

[RadioActive]

I reckon I need to change my HSBs and I was just sitting here reading the manual and trying to work out why it seemed to say that you set the torque and then went clockwise by 60 degrees. I checked on the ChainGang site and one person also reckoned the manual had things round the wrong way but nobody else mentioned it or agreed/disagreed. Does anyone here know?

Chris

 

[michael d]

yes the manual is wrong

 

[Micky]

Hi Dave

Just replaced mine in my 2004 Dakar... you need NSK HR 320/28 x J available from all good bearing shops (£26.95)

You will also need the two tin dust seals (one top,one bottom) they get destroyed in the removal.

I replaced the original chocolate ones before our trip last year, and the NSK managed 20,000 miles before becoming notchy.... and they've had a hell of a pounding



www.adventure.gs

 

[RadioActive]

Thanks for the advice on the NSK bearings and the confirmation about the manual being wrong.