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Author Topic: Steering bearing adjustment how-to?  (Read 728 times)

Offline Mucci

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Steering bearing adjustment how-to?
« on: July 17, 2018, 11:22:33 AM »
I'm getting a wobble in the front end of my '83 R65. I keep seeing people reference a steering bearing adjustment procedure when I search this issue but can't find the actual procedure. Is it simply re-torquing the head tube nut to spec?

Offline georgesgiralt

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Re: Steering bearing adjustment how-to?
« Reply #1 on: July 17, 2018, 12:12:14 PM »
No.
It is not rocket science but needs a certain practice and attention.
The procedure consist in :
1) unlock the upper bolt (the one under the pad)
2) unlock the headlight fixations either at the top or the bottom.
3) unlock the stanchions on the top or lower brace.
Then, adjust the round adjuster using a dull chisel and a soft hammer.
Do it a little by little. Once you have done an adjustment, torque the top nut to spec and check the play. If you have been too generous, the steering is too stiff. The test is that when you have the bike on the center stand, and you let the handlebar go it should fall either to the right or to the left. This is the difficult part. It takes practice to see if the setting is right.
If you go too far, the bike will have difficulties going in a strait line...
While you are at it, it would be wise to replace the grease on those bearings and check the races for wear.

Offline Mucci

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Re: Steering bearing adjustment how-to?
« Reply #2 on: July 17, 2018, 02:19:06 PM »
Thanks for the info. Sounds pretty straight forward.

I'm curious, when you say "if you go too far the bike will have trouble going in a straight line" why is that? I assume you mean if you compress the bearings too much? They're taper bearings correct? I understand the steering being too stiff if over compressed but why the straight line issues? Just curious.

Offline georgesgiralt

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Re: Steering bearing adjustment how-to?
« Reply #3 on: July 17, 2018, 02:46:17 PM »
The steering is too stiff and you can't do the microscopic adjustment you make when going in a strait line because all the bike is stiff. So you end up making bigger adjustments unconsciously and there is a wobble...