Stanchion bush replacements

[thander]

Good morning dear GSer's,

Excuse me if the subject has already come up, but I couldn't find anything searching.

Some months ago I started feeling the front system of my 1998 1100 GS very inaccurate and the bike was seriously understeering, especially in uphill u-turns. Had a mate hold the handlebars, turned the wheel sideways and there was a lot of play, so I ordered a couple of stanchion bushes from Motorwork. I mean the little cylinder things that are used as the connecting element between the top yoke and the fork stanchions. (seen here for reference http://*******.com/5res5da , second from end).
Last night I tried to fit the new ones, facing the following issues:
-the old ones were impossible to drift out with the yoke on the bike. I used heat and improvised a puller to get them out eventually.
-the dust covers of these things don't seem to fit properly on the new bushes. More specifically, the inner face of the dust covers cannot go under the top of the bush as it seems it should. I fitted them anyway and I don't think I will have any issues, but I would be more satisfied if they did fit nicely...
---Last, but not least, after finishing the job, and did the wheel-turning test, there still seems to be some play! I rode the bike to work this morning, and it does feel nice and solid, but didn't have the opportunity to corner it had and see. Does anyone know how tolerant this bush-systems is?

Sorry for not having any pics to support the story, didn't have a camera in the workshop.

Thanks in advance.
Cheers!
Thanasis

 

[beermonster]

Hi

Your link does not seem to work, i replaced same 01 R1150 GS around eighteen months ago. Had no real issues with the covers so not sure what you mean there without piccies. That said i had the top yolk off which was a bastard to get off due to seized bolts.

I also had play in the ball joint which got replaced whilst i was at it, just push and pull your front wheel to see if you have play or the joint clunks

I also replaced the large central bearing in the top yolk which may be the source of your play.

Just noticed you have an 1100 so the above may or may not apply

Simon

 

[thander]

Hi Simon,

The ball joint is fine, I had it replaced recently, and, indeed there is no play there.

In fact, there is not exactly play at the newly replaced bushes to, more of a tolerance, with the handlebars fixed and trying to move the wheel from right to left. But, I think this is why they have the bushes there and not something fixed...

 

[thander]

well I took her for a spin yesterday, and it corners like a charm!
work done here