Steering head Bearings

[roboto65]

I just wanted to touch on a point which I know we all ignore  come on admit it I am guilty too the other day I was changing my oil and noticed my when I move my handle bars they would and the best way to describe is it would fall into place in the center like there was notch there anyhow I took it apart and greased it up and put it back together seems fine now. But just wanted to touch on the subject since MOOTMag is coming and want everyone to have there bikes is top tune.
Oh as a side note I do have about 66000 miles on the bike rode to Trinity yesterday it was a very nice day !!!!

[silveradocowboy]

Thanks for the info. Nha has an older CB (350?) that is doing the same thing that I told him I would help fix.

[BA]

Hope you used high impact grease on those head bearings and not just wheel bearing grease.

[roboto65]

I just have to ask whats the difference what makes High Impact better for something that does not spin at so many RPMs and does not heat up in the neck. No disrespect meant!!!  I used Royal Purple  grease

[Magna 4 Me]

I believe what you are describing is called "Indexing".  The balls in the bearing are indented into the race, when you turn the handlebars the next ball drops into the indentation and you can feel it drop in.  Usually this requires new bearings and races, don't know why you would need "high impact grease" for this application, no real wear involved.

A friend had this problem and when he replaced everything he drilled and tapped the steering head and installed a grease fitting and pumped the steering head full of grease.  A little overkill I would agree but that is the way he is.

[BA]

As you pointed out, steering head bearings are not like wheel bearings because they don't continuously spin.  They are subject to wind and rain being forced into them every time you ride.  The high impact grease performs extremely well under these conditions, while regular grease will erode away on the leading edge of the bearings.  The Royal Purple UPG looks like it would work well on the steering head bearings.

[JLeather]

I'm a fan of "Boat Trailer Wheel-Bearing Grease" for this app.  It's designed to be really sticky and waterproof because a boat trailer is constantly being backed into saltwater.  Kind of blue/green and stringy when it comes out of the tube.

[guywheatley]

I thinks someone has posted this link before, but I found it interesting.
http://www.motorcycleproject.com/motorcycle/text/shucking.html

[BA]

Nice article

[L J VFR]

+1 on the article.  Good read! 

[roboto65]

Well rode the Magna today and seems to be Ok just a little grease and she is turning fine it IS one of those things that we do not think about till it goes !!!!