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Author Topic: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication  (Read 2033 times)

Offline Bob_Roller

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Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
« 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 !
'81 R65
'82 R65 LS
'84 R65 LS
'87 Moto Guzzi V65 Lario
'02 R1150R
Riding all year long since 1993 .
I'll give up my R65, when they pry my cold dead hands from the handlebars !!!!!

Offline montmil

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Re: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2009, 02:37:11 PM »
Slick, Bob. Sorry ;D  Monte
Monte Miller
Denton, TEXAS
1978 BMW R100S
1981 BMW R65
1983 BMW R65
1995 Triumph Trophy
1986 VW Cabriolet

Andy-Gadget

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Re: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
« Reply #2 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.

Offline montmil

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Re: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
« Reply #3 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
Monte Miller
Denton, TEXAS
1978 BMW R100S
1981 BMW R65
1983 BMW R65
1995 Triumph Trophy
1986 VW Cabriolet

Andy-Gadget

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Re: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
« Reply #4 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.

Andy-Gadget

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Re: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
« Reply #5 on: April 28, 2009, 12:34:40 AM »
Image of bad steering head, I hope.


Yyyyeeeesssss

Offline Justin B.

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Re: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
« Reply #6 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!!!???
Justin B.

2004 BMW R1150RT
1981 R100RT - Summer bike, NEKKID!!!

Andy-Gadget

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Re: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
« Reply #7 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.

Offline Semper Gumby

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Re: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
« Reply #8 on: April 28, 2009, 07:16:54 AM »
Quote
<snip>
How did all the sand get in there!!!???

That looks like Rusticles  (Hellooooooo Titanic)....
Bill Gould ?1980/03 R65 When at first you don't succeed....Moo!

Offline nhmaf

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Re: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
« Reply #9 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.
Airhead #12178 ? BMWMOA #123173 ?BMWRA #33525 ?GSBMWR #563 ?1982 BMW R65LS ?1978 BMW R100/7 1998 Kawasaki Concours

Offline montmil

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Re: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
« Reply #10 on: April 28, 2009, 06:31:12 PM »
Rusticles? What be that?  Monte
Monte Miller
Denton, TEXAS
1978 BMW R100S
1981 BMW R65
1983 BMW R65
1995 Triumph Trophy
1986 VW Cabriolet

Offline Bob_Roller

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Re: Steering Head Bearing Lubrication
« Reply #11 on: April 28, 2009, 06:52:15 PM »
I'm thinking more like 'rustsicles' !!!
'81 R65
'82 R65 LS
'84 R65 LS
'87 Moto Guzzi V65 Lario
'02 R1150R
Riding all year long since 1993 .
I'll give up my R65, when they pry my cold dead hands from the handlebars !!!!!

Offline Semper Gumby

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  • Dances with cow!
Bill Gould ?1980/03 R65 When at first you don't succeed....Moo!