Adjusting steering bearings: order of biz

[quietglow]

Hello,
On the picture you posted, one can see vertical bars on the outer race in the steering head.
Are those grease marks ? Or are they staying after a wipe ? If they stay, your bearing are shot. Otherwise you can reuse them with fresh new grease.
A visual trace is the testimony the surface has been marred. It is sufficient when it shows.
I use on my desk a paper weight consisting of a used wheel bearing from a BMW front wheel. The outer race is faintly different looking where the rollers rolled. And this made the bearing make a huge noise. And you can't "see" it with your finger .... Roller bearing MUST be pristine and perfect.

Yup, if I put it back together and the steering doesn't perform correctly, I'll definitely replace the bearings.

[georgesgiralt]

If the trace we saw are not stain, you better replace the bearings before putting things back in place... It will save you time and effort.

[quietglow]

Eh, I am not so much worried about time and effort. I bought this bike to wrench on, as my newer bike tends to just work (which is kinda boring). 

I noticed no steering issues before I opened it up, so I wouldn't be surprised if there aren't any after putting it back together. I have a local Airheads tech session next month that will be a fine venue to replace the bearings if I am feeling it (I'll bet someone has the snazzy bearing puller).

[dogshome]

You have at least two forum members grumbling about brinneling and galling on roller bearings now we have seen THE MARKS 

Do we have a 'cold stare' smiley? 

Or (better) a 'Gandalf the Grey giving Bilbo Baggins a disapproving look' when he says he lost The Ring?   


I can't get too exited about head bearings, if it were a wheel bearing I'd be giving it the full "Warning Will Robinson" / "Aliens motion alert" /  "AK47 waving" type of stuff.

[quietglow]

Or (better) a 'Gandalf the Grey giving Bilbo Baggins a disapproving look' when he says he lost The Ring?   

Bilbo never lost the ring. That is, one might argue, basically the point of the entire story.

cold stare

[Barry]

Bilbo never lost the ring. That is, one might argue, basically the point of the entire story.

No he gave the ring away and he was the only one that did. 

Happen to be reading the book now for the 20th time or more.

Films are a cinematic triumph but as faithful depictions of the book they are complete rubbish and I can't watch them without outrage at the liberties taken. The book creates images in your mind which the films can only destroy because they are someone else's images.  There are very few films truly faithful to the classic books they are based on. To kill a Mocking Bird with Gregory Peck is one.

[dogshome]

Going even further completely off topic, I enjoyed The Watch series recently. I guess they spent the whole budget on Detritus in the first episode, but pocket sized flamethrowers that fly and magical projects popping up everywhere has to be a fun watch.

Those bearings do look past their best. I doubt they will lock up or chuck you off, but you may have trouble adjusting (lol!) when the top nut goes back. I think I've spent about 1/3 max of the initial low cost of the bike on various seals, lubricants, bearings and bits and bobs over three years. Which for a 40 year old bike is pretty good. At the moment the market value is about the same as what I spent. Plus I know everything is solid now.

[Bob_Roller]

I'll have to agree, that the bearings are worn .
If you're just riding local no round the world or extended trips, I think they will last for years to come .
Even on those 'challenging ' roads of the Cook county forest preserve district !!!!
If by chance you need any specialty tooling for future jobs on the R65, here's a shop that a lot of tooling just for airheads .

https://www.cycleworks.net/index.php?main_page=contact_us

[quietglow]

Even on those 'challenging ' roads of the Cook county forest preserve district !!!!

You still remember! I'll bet they haven't repaved them since you were here last!

[quietglow]

My new fork nut finally arrived! So I started putting things back together, then realized it would likely make things much easier if I used a proper tool to seat the roller back on the tube. When I started shopping for bearing tools, the wisdom of just replacing the whole bearing began to make more sense. If I'm going to buy the tool, might as well use it. So this kit from Cycle Works is the one people like?

https://www.cycleworks.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=29_50&products_id=64

[georgesgiralt]

Yes, everything you need. And a couple of new bearings....
You may add the grease cup under the bottom bearing in the order list. Sometimes it is very rusted and sometimes gets ruined during removal of the bearing....