Steering Head Bearings

[Julio A.]

How can you remove the steering head bearing races? I was staring at the thing for an hour and I couldn't see how I can remove it.

[Luca]

You've got a couple options:

-drill the frame like Rev. Light did

-use the really expensive puller

-run a bead of weld along the race to loosen it.  I like welding a fender washer into the race so I have something to tap with a drift.

[montmil]

I bought both the race extractor and the race install tools. Around 80 bucks. No holes to drill. No need to buy an arc welder.  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[Justin B.]

Monte, passing up an excuse to buy a welder is like buying your hot sauce from some joint in NYC!!!  

Bein' that I have a welder I used the "bead method" on steering head and swingarm races.  It's really cool, lay the bead on 'em and they pretty much fall out!

[Luca]

Admittedly I got a great deal...  but a couple years ago I got a Lincoln Electric 140 mig welder for 300 bucks that had never been used.

That tool has paid for itself already.  It's fixed broken footpeg brackets, busted truck door hinges, made tropical saltwater aquarium braces, pulled steering head bearings, welded a big nut on one of my rounded out caliper half allen head bolts...

and even made this, which was used to display some small potted plants in a garden show: http://youtu.be/fXIUC0qikaE

[Tony Smith]

You've got a couple options:

-drill the frame like Rev. Light did

-use the really expensive puller

-run a bead of weld along the race to loosen it.  I like welding a fender washer into the race so I have something to tap with a drift.

Of the three I've always used the "run a bead of weld" option, although I am taken with the cleverness of Rev Light's method.
 
At $80 the special tool is a bargain but at the end f the day it is still a "special" tool really only useable for one job.
 
I recently bought a set of blind race extractors on eBay for $50 and in the next couple of weeks they will have one attempt to impress me when I change the steering head bearings in my r65, if they don't work as advertised, I'll break out the welder.

[Matt Chapter]

and even made this, which was used to display some small potted plants in a garden show: http://youtu.be/fXIUC0qikaE

Faaaaaancy!  

I think buying a welder is one of those things, kinda like buying a motorcycle.. it's a gateway drug.  Next thing you know you're making widgets for everything or riding across texas to get a burger and a beverage.

[montmil]

As long as my shop/garage remains attached to my home, I'll farm out the little bit of welding I need. Plumbers torches and welders burn down more structures than you can shake a stick at. I doubt that my homeowners insurance policy would even cover such a disaster.  

Last torch chore was building up weld on the worn areas of the R100S centerstand. $30.00 included grinding the weld to proper profile and doing a bit'a work on the foot pad. Deal.

[nhmaf]

Numerous times I wish I had a welder, but I'd also need training on how to use it.   I also suppose it is like owning a pickup truck - suddenly EVERYONE is your friend and is asking if you'd haul just this one little thing for them....