Steering Bearing replacement

[nealdrums]

So after reading Woody's thread on the "Death Wobble" on the VTX 1300's and 03ACE's thread about how he is gonna replace his steering bearings on his ACE. I decided to look into replacing mine.

I have an 07 SS C2 with about 14K+ miles on the clock. I noticed while riding around 45-50 MPH the handlebars had a slight vibration/wobble in them. It would go away above 50 or below 45. Thought it was weird, but after reading up about the "Death Wobble", I found out this is one of the symptoms.

So I purchased a set of ALL BALLS Steering Stem Bearings. Part # 22-1020 from here http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GU7VM4 . These are the same bearings for just about every Honda motorcycle made in the last 15+ years.

Then off to work I went. Below is some pics of the replacement. I didn't start pics till after I had it almost apart. But this will give you the basic idea. Also the video below is replacing the bearings on a VTX1300, but it is basically the same thing.

I was shocked to see what shit ass bicycle bearings that Honda use's. After everything was back together, I took it out for a short 30 mile ride. WOW, what a difference! The bike felt like it was riding on a sheet of glass. Smooth as can be, and the vibration/wobble I had was completely gone ! !

This is something that everyone should consider doing ! ! Even if you don't have any of the symptoms that I or anyone else has experienced. DO IT ! Just for a piece of mind.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aSizt4juff4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Top Tree already off
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af211/nealdrums/bike/stem%20bearings/2011-11-18_15-32-52_513.jpg
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af211/nealdrums/bike/stem%20bearings/2011-11-18_15-33-00_516.jpg

Steering stem out. You can see the bottom race still attached to stem.
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af211/nealdrums/bike/stem%20bearings/2011-11-18_15-37-04_993.jpg

Shit Bearings. More pics to come
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af211/nealdrums/bike/stem%20bearings/2011-11-18_15-32-56_189.jpg

[nealdrums]

new bearings in. Stem & lower tree back on bike
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af211/nealdrums/bike/stem%20bearings/2011-11-18_16-34-43_931.jpg
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af211/nealdrums/bike/stem%20bearings/2011-11-18_16-35-15_249.jpg

Top tree and bars on
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af211/nealdrums/bike/stem%20bearings/2011-11-18_17-06-13_968.jpg
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af211/nealdrums/bike/stem%20bearings/2011-11-18_17-06-27_391.jpg

Here is a couple pics of the shitty stock bearings.

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af211/nealdrums/bike/stem%20bearings/2011-11-18_17-29-20_187.jpg
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af211/nealdrums/bike/stem%20bearings/2011-11-18_17-29-34_346.jpg


And what the new bearings look like. (the black seals in the pic look more like the stock brass ones, pictured above)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41khu38lExL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[nealdrums]

Here is the description from the manufacturers web site. With all the models that it will fit. http://www.allballsracing.com/22-1020.html

Fitment:
Application Steering Bearing - Seal Kit Honda CB 1300 (Euro) 03-07, CB1000 94-95, CB1000C 83, CB1100F Super Sport 83, CB400F 89-90, CB600F (599) 04-06, CB700SC Nighthawk S 84-86, CB750 C 80-82, CB750 Nighthawk 91-02, CB750F Super Sport 79-82, CB750K 750 Four 79-82, CB750L 79, CB750SC 82-83, CB900C 80-82, CB900F (919) 02-07, CB900F 81-82, CBF1000 (Euro) 06-08, CBF250 (Euro) 04-06, CBF500 (Euro) 04-06, CBR1000F 87-96, CBR1000RR 04-07, CBR1100XX 97-06, CBR600F 87-90, CBR600F2 91-94, CBR600F3 95-98, CBR600F4 99-06, CBR600RR 03-10, CBR900RR 93-99, CBR929RR 00-01, CBR954RR 02-03, CBX1100 81-82, CBX750 (EURO) 94-01, CMX450C 86-87, CX500TC Turbo 82, CX650T Turbo 83, GL1000 Gold Wing 77-79, GL1100 80-83, GL1100A 82-83, GL1100I 80-83, GL1200 Gold Wing 84-87, GL1500 88-90, GL1500A 91-98, GL1500C 97-00, GL1500CD 01-03, GL1500CF 99-01, GL1500CT 97-00, GL1500I 91-96, GL1500S 90-91, GL1500SE 90-00, NSA700 DN-01 09, NT 650 DEAUVILLE (Euro) 98-05, NT 700 DEAUVILLE (Euro) 06-07, NT650 (Euro) 88-91, NT700V 10, NTV 600 (Euro) 88-91, NTV 650 (Euro) 92-97, PC800 Pacific Coast 89-98, ST1100 91-02, ST1100A 92-02, ST1300 03-08, VF1000F 84, VF1000R 85-86, VF1100C & S 83-86, VF500C 84-85, VF500F 84-86, VF700C 84-87, VF700F 84-85, VF700S 84-85, VF750C 82-02, VF750C2 97-02, VF750CD 95-96, VF750F 83-84, VF750S 82-83, VFR 1200 10, VFR700 Interceptor 86-87, VFR750F 86-97, VFR800 FI Interceptor 98-01, VFR800 Interceptor 02-09, VT1100C 87-07, VT1100C2 95-07, VT1100C3 98-02, VT500C 85-86, VT600 Shadow 88-07, VT600CD 93-05, VT600CD2 99-00, VT700 86-87, VT750 98-03, VT750 DCA 06-07, VT750C 07-09, VT750C&CA 04-06, VT750C2 07-10, VT750CA 08-09, VT750CB 06, VT750DC & DCA 01-05, VT800 Shadow 88, VTR1000F 98-05, VTR250 Interceptor 89-90, VTX1300 03-09, VTX1300R 05-09, VTX1800 06-08, VTX1800C 02-05, VTX1800F 05, VTX1800N 04-05, VTX1800R 02-05, VTX1800S 02-03, XL 1000 VARADERO (Euro) 99-08, Triumph America 03-11, Bonneville 800 01-06, Bonneville 865 T100 04-10, Scrambler 06-10, Speed Master 03-10, T100 02-03, T100 Bonneville 04-07, Thruxton 900 04-10

[woodytick]

yea there is a really good thread on this topic over on VTX Cafe & this bearing part # fits so many different models of bikes. good post Neal.

[Poseidon]

great thread neal. I have no issues with mine but I think while I have everything torn down next month i will go ahead and do this. DId you have the spanner wrenches that he was using in the video or did you use something else? How did you get the lower race out?

[nealdrums]

great thread neal. I have no issues with mine but I think while I have everything torn down next month i will go ahead and do this. DId you have the spanner wrenches that he was using in the video or did you use something else? How did you get the lower race out?
Spanner wrench that comes in our tool kit didn't cut it. Used hammer and screw driver. Top race, we used a long screw driver and hammer. Bottom race I used a hammer claw (like you use to get a nail out).

[Kycop34]

Great post Neal!!!!

Brothers, I can't stress enough what a difference this will make in how your ride feels, especially have any miles on the bike.

Poseidon, When I did mine and observed several other getting theirs done, we used a drift punch one time and a long 1/2" extension another time, just walked it around the race banging on it until it popped out. You just gotta get something long enough to go through the neck. Like Neal we just used a screwdriver and hammer for the keyed nut thing that had to come off.

[Poseidon]

Cool, i wrote that one down. I have to get a spanner wrench. It didn't come with my bike when i got it. The good news is that i am doing this before there is a problem so I have a little time.

[Poseidon]

Kit on order. Nothing about Death or wobble is appealing to any ride of mine.

[Overampped]

Nothing about Death or wobble is appealing to any ride of mine.

Amen to that, brother.

Excellent post, thanks Neal for posting the video & pics, this should be a sticky.

[SteveB]

Great post Neal......was wondering where you got the replacement bearings, Thanks:thumbsup: .......going to put this on my short list.

[TI 3VOM]

On my list of things to do this winter. I have developed a weird wobble at highway speeds. I don't like it...

[Poseidon]

got mine in the mail. I will be doing it during the christmas vaca. probably post a few pics in a different thread for the VLX. not like there is much difference. lol. thanks for the motivation.

[ShadowWolf]

Great thread Neal. This should probably be a sticky since it's something that we'll likely all run into sooner or later.

[BaldEagle]

Sticky, sticky!

[03ACE]

Sticky! :D

[woodytick]

Done!!!

[BaldEagle]

Anyone who has done this, which bearings go in tge freezer and which ones are pre heated, or did you just do them at room temp? Video was a little confussing, but it could have been watching it on my phone and trying to give the baby a bottle at the same time.

[Midnite96]

I'm in the process of replacing the steering bearings on my 96 VT1100 and wasn't sure if I was doing it right. After watching the video, I'm glad I was on the right track! Thanks! A lot of Good info and just seeing it done - priceless!

I'm gonna go finish what I started, now with some confidence.

Good work!
rick

[feellnfroggy600vlx]

The neck should go in tfreezer and t races in the oven. But me and greg didn't change temp on anything for his ace. It all went relatively smooth.