sheekbiker
All Weather Rider, well hard
Posts: 155
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Post by sheekbiker on Jan 9, 2011 19:10:01 GMT 1
Dont know if I'm just unlucky on this one but I have an old Kawa 400 twin and it's been waiting for me to finish rebuilding it, so I bought a set of taper head bearings, fitted in the frame the top outer seemed to stand proud from the headstock by a mm or so but I assumed it must be right they sell hundreds of these kits.
when I came to fit the steering head I found that I can not fit the dust cover or get the steering head all the way home as the bearings are too thick, the forks should be slightly proud and are now recessed.
So if you are thinking of doing this mod on any of your bikes check that the kit is recommended by the manufactuer of said machine.
Once fitted I found that they can not be removed by punching them out as there is no lip showing and no punch slots in the inside of the headstock, to remove is to destroy.
I've had them on the shelf for some time so cant make a claim either.
Mick.
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vtwinfan
All Weather Rider, well hard
Posts: 168
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Post by vtwinfan on Jan 9, 2011 21:03:56 GMT 1
Im saying nothing, you know my view on pattern parts  |
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sheekbiker
All Weather Rider, well hard
Posts: 155
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Post by sheekbiker on Jan 10, 2011 16:55:01 GMT 1
Er no I don't actually  but when you are playing with 30 year old bikes you sometimes find origonal parts hard to come by. However I may have found a supplier who can go back that far, if so I can revert to race and cone as per stock. Mick. |
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ED-CASE
All Weather Rider, well hard
Posts: 172
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Post by ED-CASE on Jan 11, 2011 18:07:55 GMT 1
In the meantime, would it help to slide the stanchions "up" a tad in the lower triple-clamp?
Just my tuppence-worth in hope you can enjoy the bike while waiting
(Hmmmmm, Mr. Sheek very probably thought of that already)
All the best
Ed
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Post by McF on Jan 11, 2011 23:32:23 GMT 1
In the meantime, would it help to slide the stanchions "up" a tad in the lower triple-clamp? Just my tuppence-worth in hope you can enjoy the bike while waiting (Hmmmmm, Mr. Sheek very probably thought of that already) All the best Ed I wouldn't recommend that because it will alter the steering geometry, specifically the caster angle. By reducing it, (even a small amount at the top yoke will make a noticeable difference to the angle) this will make the steering "quicker" and less stable. Sheek, probably too late now, did you pull both bearings into their respective housings? I use a long threaded bar with nuts top and bottom, some plates and oversize washers, then tighten. You should really only do this with the outer races, assuming they seperate |
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sheekbiker
All Weather Rider, well hard
Posts: 155
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Post by sheekbiker on Jan 14, 2011 23:41:15 GMT 1
Hi All, Sorry for slow response, yes bearings pulled in all the way using the same method, this is a 30 year old Kawasaki and has fork shrouds that hold the headlamp and fit between the bottom and top yoke. The old girl has been off the road for years so quite a bit of work needed, so far I've resprayed the frame, overhauled and polished the forks, overhauled & painted the rear shocks. The engine/gearbox unit is stripped out in two boxes so should keep me out of mischief for a while. I have now found a supplier of N.O.S spares and ordered the correct bearings and if they are OK I will be doing a fair bit of trade with them. I couldn't find some parts I knew I had in the shed when I told Annie this she said in a somewhat cold voice "try looking in the spare room wardrobe"oops! well what are empty wardrobes for. I'm going to go and make her a cuppa now, . Mick. |
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but when you are playing with 30 year old bikes you sometimes find origonal parts hard to come by.
