Removing the Steering head nut

[SJRoome]

Hi

I was going to start investigating the effect of varying the steering head bearing preload on the head waggle on my 1989 R100GS http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=184860 and I have found that the steering head cap nut is extremely tight.

I have bought a 36mm socket and I have a long socket wrench but I am worried I am going to bend the fork tubes or damage something if I apply too much torque.

Anyone come across this? Any ideas?


Steve

 

[Kenny]

You won't bend anything...go for it !!!!

Brassmonkey001 is the expert on this
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=187141

 

[SJRoome]

Hi Kenny

Yes I read that thread - I even contributed to it. But I have also read this one. http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/forktool/index.htm

Any ideas anyone before I get out the angle iron and sledge hammer?


Steve

 

[brassmonkey001]

You won't bend anything...go for it !!!!

Brassmonkey001 is the expert on this
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=187141

Bleedin Scouse Git!

You could put a length of wood between the fork legs to act as a lever to counteract the turning action of your breaker bar. Make sure it's up to the job though. About 2" square section by 3' long should suffice. The nut is 107NM IIRC.

 

[Beemerboff]

Duane is talking about the old airhead forks with the flat plate top yoke which get clamped down to the top of the fork tubes as you tighten the top nuts.

The GS forks dont have the quite same problem, as long as the triple clamp bolts are tight when you are torquing the centre nut.

I tried to adjust my GS steering head bearings last week, and I couldnt move the nut either, even with a 2 foot tube on the breaker bar, so if you find a easy way of loosening it please post it.

 

[Straypuss]

Can you get a C spanner on the castellated nut under the yoke? Try tightening the bearing to take some of the load off the nut...you may need to use a hammer judiciously...worked on a 75/6 I used to have. My 100GS wasn't that tight

ps I still have the 36mm socket..I had the taper ground off so that I had maximum contact 'twixt nut and socket

 

[SJRoome]

Thanks for the help - its off

Hi

Thanks Kenny and brassmonkey001.

I used a piece of wood about 2" square by 4ft to brace the forks and a breaker bar on a high quality 36mm socket and it came off without any problem. I had deliberately bought a 6 sided socket and I found I did not need to modify it in any way.

Thanks for everyones suggestions.


Steve