Powder Coating Prep

[Crossrodes]

Well once I had the swingarm off I decided to go the whole way.  I have now almost stripped the bike and plan on getting all the black parts powder coated.

I will probably have more questions but here is one:
Is it recommended to remove the steering head bearing races and the swing arm bearing races and replace them?  If I do is there recommended method to remove the races and/or a tool to remove/replace them?  I took a quick look and it doesn't look like I will be able to use the normal punch and hammer method to get the races out.

I still have to get the driveshaft out of the swing arm but have figured out how to make the tool to do this.  I have bought some threaded rod and 5/16" steel which I will use to compress the spring in the drive shaft.  I'll let you know how it goes and post a pic of the tool if it works.

I just thought of another question:
If memory served me correctly the lower steering head bearing seemed to be stuck on its shaft.  Is this bearing pressed on and if so does this mean that I will have to go to a shop to have a new bearing installed if I do decide to replace the bearings and races?  Also how would I get the old bearing off..could I just pry it of with a heavy screwdriver?

Another question: would these bearings and races be available at a bearing shop or would I have to order them from a BMW dealer?

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Cycle Works makes the tools you need to get the outer bearing races out of the frame.
http://www.cycleworks.net/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=29_33_50

I'm not sure, but I think I would leave them in the frame until after it is painted, that way their seats don't get painted.

I have the tools for pulling both the swingarm and steering head outer races.  The swingarm works great and easily.
The one for the steering head is a little tougher, but it works great on the top one, and if your frame is stripped so you can turn it upside-down, it makes the lower bearing race a lot easier.


To remove the old lower bearing & inner race, I just used my rotary cutting tool and carefully cut it apart.  You will need a new dust shield for that lower bearing, no matter what.
To install the new one, I put my triple-tree in the freezer for a while (no fork legs...).  That shrunk the steering stem enough to slide it right on.  Don't forget the dust shield, first!


Yes, the bearings are commonly available at bearing houses.

[Mike V]

Crossroads,
Good questions. This is where you need to communicate with your powdercoater. I removed my races when I did my powdercoating and left specific instructions to the powdercoater of the areas that needed attention and no coating on threads. Let him know where you have races and depths into bosses. Also, a good powder coater will stay away from threaded areas if you ask. They can do some pretty trick things when it comes to masking and limiting build-up in critical areas.  Always best to sit down and go over the pieces that have concerns before hand. the powder coat is a surprisingly thin but durable coating. I had no problems with installing the bearing races after the job was done.

On removing the races yourself, Rob has left you with some good ideas and links. Dan at Cycle Works has very good tools for these jobs and applications.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

And Cycle Works' prices for bearings are not that bad, compared to (I think) Max BMW.

For steering head bearings, CW is $22/ea and Motobins is $19.  Max BMW wants $45.72!!!!

For swing arm bearings, CW is $16/ea, Motobins are $14/ea, and Max BMW is $30/ea.........


For some reason, Hucky's is expensive on these - $87 for a pair of steering head bearings, and $26/ea on the swing arm bearing.

[montmil]

Buy the puller set -inner races and outer races- from the Dan Man at Cycle Works. I used them on the '83 and am very glad I did. You may find a variety of alternative methods; from using a welder to drilling drift punch access holes in the frame head stock! Ain't worth the hassle.

Powder coating is so n-i-c-e... but you'll be crying when you scratch off that expensive finish should you wait until after painting to attempt to remove those pesky outer bearing races. My $0.02.

The lower fork stem inner race bearing is held snug only in the area on the fork stem where the races sits. Once the inner race is lifted past this area, it's pretty much an easy removal. Resist the urge to hammer a screwdriver between the race and the stem components. Dan's inner race puller handles this chore.

Powder coater services use plastic-like plugs to close off threaded openings and other places that the baked finish does not need to be. A selection of metric taps would be helpful to chase threaded areas that get paint in them. Ask the pros about securing the head stock openings as any paint on the outer races seat areas would probably hinder a bearing refit.

I gots my own opinions of powder coating but I'll shut up fer now.

Monte