The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: Bob_Roller on April 26, 2009, 02:05:44 PM

Title: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
Post by: Bob_Roller on April 26, 2009, 02:05:44 PM

Had a 'slack' work day today, it's the end of the month, so we have to go around the hangar, and check and dispose of paint, sealant, adhesives, and grease that 'expire' at the end of the month.

I ran across a 12 tube case of grease, and had an idea, would it be possible to grease the steering bearings while still installed ??

I made up a 'tool' of a length of threaded rod, with large rubber grommets, large area washers and nuts.

I inserted the threaded rod from the bottom of the steering head, and it comes out of the 10mm hex on the upper nut.

After tightening the nut, washer grommet assembly, I removed the plastic plugs that cover the two threaded holes that I believe are the mounting points for a fairing.

I used a grease fitting in the hole, but it wasn't a very good fit, I had to apply pressure to keep it in.

I have confirmed grease is coming out at the upper bearing, but nothing oozing out of the lower bearing yet.

Need to get a fitting, or adapter to thread into the hole for a better fit, and more pressure in the steering stem area.

Probably not a recommended procedure, if you live in a cold climate area, the grease may cause stiff steering in cold weather.

Also you need to check the bearings for condition, but if your bearings are recently replaced, may be something to think about !

Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
Post by: montmil on April 26, 2009, 02:37:11 PM

Slick, Bob. Sorry ;D  Monte

Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
Post by: Andy-Gadget on April 27, 2009, 02:56:15 PM

A word of caution, if your steering head looks like this one, pumping grease in won't help.

My plain Jane R65 needed to come apart because the steering felt horrible.

I am posting a photo of a steering head full of sand, but I can't directly link yet as I am new here, and the preview doesn't show an image, so I don't know if it will work.

Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
Post by: montmil on April 27, 2009, 09:15:58 PM

Andy, check out the Test Zone section. Try your photo post, link or whatever in this location. When you get the technique sorted out, post back up here.

Welcome to the group! Bunch of Aussies hanging out around here. Glad to have you.

Monte

Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
Post by: Andy-Gadget on April 28, 2009, 12:32:49 AM

Thanks, the message I got yesterday when I tried to post a new topic said that I needed to do two ordinary post before being able to link to a page, and as this is my second post, I will try again.

Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
Post by: Andy-Gadget on April 28, 2009, 12:34:40 AM

Image of bad steering head, I hope.
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fandy-gadget.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2F420568775_kHBk3-XL.jpg&hash=a22dcf8d2c41f5b63e4c32f90746ca6ac25e4bb5)

Yyyyeeeesssss

Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
Post by: Justin B. on April 28, 2009, 01:26:04 AM

These are security measure to discourage automatic spam-bots.

How did all the sand get in there!!!???

Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
Post by: Andy-Gadget on April 28, 2009, 01:36:49 AM

I wish I knew, but you can imagine what the steering felt like, probably why I got the bike nice and cheap.

Its motor is now in my LS, with the LS's twin plug heads fitted, not that I am firing both plugs yet, but time will tell.

Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
Post by: Semper Gumby on April 28, 2009, 07:16:54 AM

Quote

<snip>
How did all the sand get in there!!!???

That looks like Rusticles  (Hellooooooo Titanic)....

Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
Post by: nhmaf on April 28, 2009, 08:50:37 AM

Wow - that is very seriously damaged - one can see all the grooves from each roller as well!   I'd expect to see something like that in an extremely worn GS machine ridden in the Sahara.

Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
Post by: montmil on April 28, 2009, 06:31:12 PM

Rusticles? What be that?  Monte

Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
Post by: Bob_Roller on April 28, 2009, 06:52:15 PM

I'm thinking more like 'rustsicles' !!!

Title: Re: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
Post by: Semper Gumby on April 29, 2009, 10:31:36 AM

http://Rusticles.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rusticle