My '95 needs new steering stem bearings. I've got the repair manual and I'm pretty sure I can do it, just wondering if anyone has any tips. And how should I support the front of the bike to remove the forks? I've also been told that the old bearings have to be pressed off, is this true? I was thinking about ordering the 'All *****' bearings, anyone used these? Any help is always appreciated

 

The only race that Honda says needs to be pressed on is the race on the steering stem or the lower race. The rest can be removed and then driven in. Sorry though, I've never had to replace the steering head bearings. I've always made sure there was plenty of grease on them as well as tension.
To support the bike, you can lift it off with an engine hoist or a hoist in general. I use an engine hoist (cherry picker) and use tie downs which are run around the frame at the front, mid frame, and tail of the bike.

 

i have had to replace my stem bearings and seals and its not horrible if you dont have the rite tools you might not want to do it unless ur creative, the darndest thing is well for me was getting the old races out its a tight area inthere u need something like a skinny solid bar,rod tubing, etc. to get to the races to pound out i thought my heel bar would work but found that the taper is no good for being able to get to the races to pound them out once u have it apart youll see its alittle fustrating. most important though is getting the correct preload on the bearings follow the owners manual as much as possible but im sure your like most people and dont have that little fancy scale that honda says u should use, im sure if u take ur time you should be fine. its really not a quick job. least for me it wasent. good luck! oh yeah and the all ***** bearings i think thats the name! i believe thats what i used and instead of ball bearings like honda uses there taper bearings and work just fine.

 

Trying to take the races out of the frame wasn't to bad for me. Now getting the lower bearing off the stem takes time.

 

I was able to get the lower race off the stem just by "walking" it up with a small pry. Take your time, be patient, and just work it in small steps around the diameter, and it'll come right off. Took maybe 5 minutes.

 

I'm interested in hearing how you get the new lower race installed.

 

use a press and press it on. Use 1-1/4" I.d. pipe (abs, copper, pvc, anything) to slide over the stem and hammer to tap it on. Use alum/copper/brass drift to tap it on; keep moving around the dia, and use light taps to avoid binding. Drill/find a 1-1/4" hole in something solid (workbench, wall, wives kitchen counter top) insert the stem upside down and hammer on the bottom. many ways to skin a cat.