Head bearings slightly loose

[loosenut]

I noticed yesterday on my commute home that my head bearings were slightly loose. I'm hoping that I can tighten the assembly and not need to replace the head bearings as it has just become noticeable.

[ZachD]

Yea, it's probably just a loose nut...

[i2iweb]

Originally Posted by ZachD

Yea, it's probably just a loose nut...

[loosenut]

Originally Posted by ZachD

Yea, it's probably just a loose nut...

Was that a rim shot I heard?

[ZachD]

Originally Posted by loosenut

Was that a rim shot I heard?

Does a "rim shot" sound like a loose steering bearing nut?

[FUP]

Originally Posted by loosenut

I noticed yesterday on my commute home that my head bearings were slightly loose.

So - how do you recognize loose head bearings?
What does the bike do that says loose head bearings while you are riding it?

[loosenut]

Originally Posted by FUP

So - how do you recognize loose head bearings?
What does the bike do that says loose head bearings while you are riding it?

Well, it's hard for me to explain. After years and years of riding off-road motorcycles, I developed a feel for it. The head bearings get hammered off-road compared to the road bikes in general. With that stated, let's see if I can do it justice. What I notice is that under hard braking to a stop, that when I let let off of the front brake to smoothly stop, there is a small clunk felt through the bars. It has a loose feeling. It will quickly get worse if not dealt with.

[TheRepairMan]

Originally Posted by loosenut

Well, it's hard for me to explain. After years and years of riding off-road motorcycles, I developed a feel for it. The head bearings get hammered off-road compared to the road bikes in general. With that stated, let's see if I can do it justice. What I notice is that under hard braking to a stop, that when I let let off of the front brake to smoothly stop, there is a small clunk felt through the bars. It has a loose feeling. It will quickly get worse if not dealt with.

I've had that same feeling in my bike since day one. Early on someone else here started a thread on a clunk felt in the front end when on and off the brakes. I had spent some time checking mine very thoroughly and finally determined the cause was play between the brake pads and the caliper frames. Since the pads have to "float" this is perfectly normal. My initial guess that the head bearings were loose was incorrect in my case, but is always a possibility.

It only takes a thousandth of an inch or two when the brakes are loaded and then unloaded to generate a hammering noise and feel that becomes amplified up through the forks. Loose head bearings or a brake condition, or even a fork problem, could cause the same symptoms. Upon my completed inspection these symptoms became a non issue, however that's not to say that will always be the case. Any noise or feel that seems abnormal should be checked out for safety's sake.

-R

[grommet]

I suspect that they are not loose, but worn. Which makes them loose, but it's not like the nut backed out. You may have mentioned at some point how many miles you have on your bike, but I don't remember. In any case I'd plan on replacing them soon.

As you've no doubt seen on the dirt bikes, since they don't really turn that much they hammer little dents into the races. Doesn't take much at all to introduce some play.

You can double check while the bike is stopped by locking up the front brake and pushing back and forth on the bars (front to back). If you feel or hear that little clunk in there, time to R & R.

[bewarethefuzz]

So, is it standard to replace the races with the bearings?

[JoshuaKahl]

Mine along with a buddy's does the exact same thing, so fear not, you aren't the only one. I'm suspecting wheelies is what have done it to ours....

[FUP]

Originally Posted by bewarethefuzz

So, is it standard to replace the races with the bearings?

yes

[Cougar8000]

Reparirman is right. This has been discussed to death on the FJR site as FJR brakes are even more noisier then FZ.

To truly test your head bearings put the bike on the center stand and have someone seat on the pass seat to raise the front up. Grab and hold front wheel and move it back and forth. If you feel clunk youknow you need to work on your bearings.

Also, in that position handlebars should move freely to each side w/o snags or noise.

[loosenut]

Repairman IS right. I pulled the top triple clamp and the bearings are tight and I cannot feel any play in the steering head. At least convertibars make pulling the top clamp easier.

[TheRepairMan]

Originally Posted by loosenut

Repairman IS right. I pulled the top triple clamp and the bearings are tight and I cannot feel any play in the steering head. At least convertibars make pulling the top clamp easier.

Hey, if you hang around a place long enough you're bound to learn something!

-Roger

[mrh372]

I highly recommend replacing the bearings with tapered roller bearings (allballsracing.com) Inexpensive and fairly easy to swap out.

I may be crazy but this has become a standard must have to me. I notice much improvement in front end feel. The ball bearings bikes come with seem too finicky to me to get just the right amount of torque on them to have no play and not have a notchy feeling.