Steering head bearing replacement

mizike77 · Post by **mizike77** » Mon May 11, 2009 4:11 am

I recently installed new bearings in the steering head of my Darmah. I used a bicycle headset press to set the races in. My question is this, are the races supposed to recess into the headstock a little or are the races set flush with the top and bottom of the headstock? Something doesnt seem to be right with my front end. I also changed the fork oil before I saw steves recommendation for type and level, and I put too thin oil in there.

Vince · Post by **Vince** » Mon May 11, 2009 8:49 pm

I have 7.5wt oil in the Cerani Fork on my Laverda,I weight 120kg and it works very well,not harch at all and good under brakes

wdietz186 · Post by **wdietz186** » Tue May 12, 2009 5:33 pm

The bore for the races in the frame should have a little step where the race seats.The races may stand a little proud of the top of the tube or not.As long as the race is seated you should be ok.Even if the race is a bit below the top of the bore you should have enough clearance to get the head bearings adjusted properly.Be sure and check them after you have ridden it a while as things can settle and the adjustment will loosen slightly.

mizike77 · Post by **mizike77** » Tue May 12, 2009 5:42 pm

Im not sure I seated the races fully. I set them in headstock and press until the press stopped, wich was when the races were flush with the top and bottom of the headstock. If the races tend to go a little further into the headstock than flush, I will have a problem...

wdietz186 · Post by **wdietz186** » Wed May 13, 2009 12:23 pm

I would ride it a bit and recheck the adjustment.I don't think the races are ever recessed more than about a millimeter anyway.Just avoid high speed sweepers for a while!

Post by **BevHevSteve** » Wed May 13, 2009 12:33 pm

make sure the things are seated fully in the recess..... That is how you install them. Then all the other advice you have rec'd above is also valid.