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Steering Head Bearings


Mighty Manfred

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Mighty Manfred

I'm fixin' to replace the steering head bearings in my 1987 R80RT. I've read articles on the BMWMOA, Airhead web site, and IBMWR site. Bought race pullers; bearings arrive Wednesday.

 

Any advice from this mob?

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Mighty Manfred

Here's an interesting - and frustrating - problem I've run into. Since I am still learning this bike, I'm unsure how to proceed.

 

In trying to loosen the large (36MM) top tune cap nuts (item 26 on the drawing located here:

http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/DiagramsMid/B0000555.png?v=10262009 ),

I've noticed that what I think is the spring retainer - the inner section (#22) onto which the cap nut screws - is turning along with the cap nut. It appears the the cap nut is not being loosened - simply dragging the spring retainer around.

 

Any ideas or suggestions or corrections?

 

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Mighty Manfred

A friend came over to help and we figured out a solution. We found out that the head of an M10 metric bolt fit exactly in the inner orifice, so we put a couple of nuts on it so he could hold that while I loosened the cap nuts.

 

I used the tools from CycleWorks http://www.cycleworks.net/tools_chassis_wheels.htm and yanking the lower bearings and both races went as easily as is possible for such a job.

 

She awaits the delivery of new bearings tomorrow.

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Mighty Manfred

New bearings installed - need a little assist with some muscle to get the forks a wee bit higher in the tree so I can put the top plate on. My friend will be back to help in a day or two.

 

I have visited the BoxerWorks web site a few times - didn't know they were tech help, to boot.

 

Glad this is not something that needs to be done regularly!

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Mighty Manfred

Ta-da! Complete! She awaits the rear shock (Fox Shox Twin Clicker) which is being rebuilt. Good time to be bike less - it's been relatively cold (32 last night - brrrr!).

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  • 1 month later...
Mighty Manfred

The Fox Shox arrived this week and I installed it, checked to see if the bike would start after setting for about a month. This morning, I pulled out onto the street and the steering was crazy weird, unable to go straight! I pulled up to a stop sign a couple blocks from my house and looked down. The front tire was nearly flat!

 

My bike sat in the garage for 5 weeks without being ridden. Both tires were low. This is basic maintenance, but nooooo - I didn't even think to check air pressure before jumping on it. Sheesh!

 

I will have a bit of time this afternoon to take another ride and - hopefully - all will be right.

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Mighty Manfred

Ride update - Whoo-hoo! With the proper pressure in the tires, this bike is primo! I now know what bad steering head bearings feel like - just didn't know that's what it was. She slips into turns now, rather than having to push the handlebar. Tomorrow is supposed to be right nice weather.

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