Advice please on adjusting head bearing on a 1979 Ducati 900 Replica

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Blacklightning
Diana
Posts: 63
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 1:35 pm
Location: Gerrards Cross

Advice please on adjusting head bearing on a 1979 Ducati 900 Replica

Post by Blacklightning »

Afternoon All,

Well, here I am now 4000 miles later on with the 1979 Ducati 900 Replica number 146 that a number of you helped with advice whilst I was rebuilding. :vroom:

I've run her in meticulosly, 500 mile oil changes (oil cheaper than bearings) and 2500 miles before I opened her up and poured petrol on the bonfire, OMG that's such fun. She's been to the Isle of Man twice, first time taught me I should have fitted a Sureflex Kit when I built her.

Second time, Closed Roads Parade Lap, pulled like a train and huge smiles. To top it off she won the Concours D'Elegance at the Vintage Club Rally (over 200 bikes). I love her to bits. :-D :-D :-D

This question is seeking advice on head bearings and adjustment.

In the last 100 miles or so I have noticed on occasion when taking my hands off the bars that she wags her head.

A fellow owner friend mentioned that its not unknown for head bearings on a rebuild to tighten up.

So shes on the ramp today and tomorrows job is once again one piece fairing off and oil change (plus the third failed front inlet rubber).

When the fairings off I will lift the front end up on a scissor lift and let the bars flop side to side.

Assuming the head bearings are out of adjustment - whats the best routine to follow for the novice (I'm not done this before).

I'm guessing slacken the centre cap head on the top yoke to allow top yoke to move up and down freely on the steering head?

Then adjust the slotted ring adjuster on the top of the steering head?

Apologies for such basic questions, but although I built it and adjusted them correctly on build, its not something I've yet done in service so thought I would ask advice first. 8)

Thanks in advance for all replies. (Unless it's one like I got on the Fireblade Forum...."if you have to ask a question like that do you think you should really be owning a bike like this.....!") :(

Stuart
Vince
750 Sport [BEVEL]
Posts: 203
Joined: Tue Nov 09, 2004 12:28 am

Re: Advice please on adjusting head bearing on a 1979 Ducati 900 Replica

Post by Vince »

Ok, this is what I have found. Its a feel thing, and it takes a few goes. I like mine a tiny bit tighter than on the loose side. The cables and wiring can hide some of this. One big thing is as you finaly tighten the top nut hold the bottom so it does not move as well. And for some reason getting it feeling right on the bottom and then tightening the top ends with it too tight. So go easy on the bottom, hold it still and tighten the top and then see how it flopps. I like it needing a medium bump on one side to result in the bars moving full lock.If yours has a 32mm hex on the bottom and not a castellated nut pushbike shops have a thin openender that works well. After you get the feel take up safe cracking as a hobby next
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Craig in France
Paso 906
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Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2004 3:58 pm
Location: Montpellier, France

Re: Advice please on adjusting head bearing on a 1979 Ducati 900 Replica

Post by Craig in France »

Like wot Vince said, Stuart - it's a feel thing. Or as the book says, "The fork should turn smoothly from side to side, without undue friction and without any play". Yes, hmmm ... That doesn't help me so much :~ .

Procedure is to loosen everything up, including the top yoke clamp bolts, and then carefully tighten up the ring nut. Go gentle - it shouldn't require very much at all. Basically the bars should swing easily from side to side under finger pressure, but not 'crash' over at the end. Also, feel for any notchiness (is that a word?). This indicates the bearing is being crushed and may even have started to brinell.

The top nut doesn't need to be done up especially tight, btw. But don't forget to re-do the clamp bolts ... :shock: : 30-35 lb/ft for the 10mm, 20-25 lb/ft for the 8mm.

Another thought: at 4,000 miles you should also begin to suspect the front tyre. Have a look at the tread wear. If it's beginning to look like this - the red arrows indicate areas of raised tread - there's your problem. DAMHIK. These were BT45s, btw. Short term solution is take some pressure out of the tyre - and meanwhile order up some new ones 8) .

(As for the comment from the Fireblade Forum, that says more about the author than his intended target, IMO. None of us came out of the womb knowing any of this ...)

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Lumpy
SD900 Darmah
Posts: 329
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:49 am

Re: Advice please on adjusting head bearing on a 1979 Ducati 900 Replica

Post by Lumpy »

FWIW it was once mentioned to me that a great deal of motorcycle front end issues begin at the back. While it`s up on the stand check the swing arm is correctly shimmed with no axial clearance and rear wheel bearings are in fine fettle.
Blacklightning
Diana
Posts: 63
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 1:35 pm
Location: Gerrards Cross

Re: Advice please on adjusting head bearing on a 1979 Ducati 900 Replica

Post by Blacklightning »

Vince wrote:Ok, this is what I have found. Its a feel thing, and it takes a few goes. I like mine a tiny bit tighter than on the loose side. The cables and wiring can hide some of this. One big thing is as you finaly tighten the top nut hold the bottom so it does not move as well. And for some reason getting it feeling right on the bottom and then tightening the top ends with it too tight. So go easy on the bottom, hold it still and tighten the top and then see how it flopps. I like it needing a medium bump on one side to result in the bars moving full lock.If yours has a 32mm hex on the bottom and not a castellated nut pushbike shops have a thin openender that works well. After you get the feel take up safe cracking as a hobby next

Thanks Vince. I'm pleased to report that when I came to check them, they are perfect and haven't shifted since I set it up.

Appreciate your advice, thank you.

Stuart
Blacklightning
Diana
Posts: 63
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 1:35 pm
Location: Gerrards Cross

Re: Advice please on adjusting head bearing on a 1979 Ducati 900 Replica

Post by Blacklightning »

Craig in France wrote:Like wot Vince said, Stuart - it's a feel thing. Or as the book says, "The fork should turn smoothly from side to side, without undue friction and without any play". Yes, hmmm ... That doesn't help me so much :~ .

Procedure is to loosen everything up, including the top yoke clamp bolts, and then carefully tighten up the ring nut. Go gentle - it shouldn't require very much at all. Basically the bars should swing easily from side to side under finger pressure, but not 'crash' over at the end. Also, feel for any notchiness (is that a word?). This indicates the bearing is being crushed and may even have started to brinell.

The top nut doesn't need to be done up especially tight, btw. But don't forget to re-do the clamp bolts ... :shock: : 30-35 lb/ft for the 10mm, 20-25 lb/ft for the 8mm.

Another thought: at 4,000 miles you should also begin to suspect the front tyre. Have a look at the tread wear. If it's beginning to look like this - the red arrows indicate areas of raised tread - there's your problem. DAMHIK. These were BT45s, btw. Short term solution is take some pressure out of the tyre - and meanwhile order up some new ones 8) .

(As for the comment from the Fireblade Forum, that says more about the author than his intended target, IMO. None of us came out of the womb knowing any of this ...)

Image

Thanks Craig, great advice as ever and with all the detail needed too. Delighted to report that head bearings just right, as Id set them up. The tyres, you are on the money. My BT45 front looks identical to your photo. So I'll try a little lower pressure and fit a new front.

Many thanks for that advice, as always, much appreciated.

Regards

Stuart
Blacklightning
Diana
Posts: 63
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 1:35 pm
Location: Gerrards Cross

Re: Advice please on adjusting head bearing on a 1979 Ducati 900 Replica

Post by Blacklightning »

Lumpy wrote:FWIW it was once mentioned to me that a great deal of motorcycle front end issues begin at the back. While it`s up on the stand check the swing arm is correctly shimmed with no axial clearance and rear wheel bearings are in fine fettle.

Thanks Lumpy. I did check rear end and went through the loosening swing arm pinch bolts and retightening. Bearings are fine, and side play fine. So rear end is sweet. Thanks for the advice.

I think Craig may be on the money as my front tyre looks just like his photo.

So that's the route I am going to go.

Thank you for posting, appreciated.

Stuart
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