OK...I know, I'm a thread *****. :-)

I'm now in the process of getting parts for the f2 after my little accident. Which got me thinking about non accident related improvements.

Sooooooo...

I want to change my steering head bearings. Question one, is it feasible for me to do it myself? I'm pretty good at tearing things down and doing maintenance so I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty or attack things with a lump hammer! :-) So, is it a home maintenance possbile job? My local dealer wants £200, and frankly, with the cost of repairs so far it's more than I can afford. I managed to do change the head bearings on my DRZ with no hassle (I told you i like hammering things!) Will I need any special equipment?

Now, assuming I can do it... Is it possible to convert to tapered bearings? And if so, is it just a case of taking out the standard bearings and putting in the new tapered ones? That to me seems odd because surely there must be a bearing race for the ball and cup type bearings? My only experience with ball and cup type bearings is on mountain bikes, I've never seen this system on motorbikes (I went from crossers to the DRZ, which were all tapered roller bearings) - If the bearing race gets removed, what does the roller bearing mount to?

OK....I think I've covered everything.

Oh....one last thing - Allballs (spelling?) bearing conversion kits - has anyone used them? Are they any good?

Thank you!
P

 

well i just refered to my handy dandy manual on my computer and it looks pretty straight forward. You need a steering stem socket and and extension. And as far as the bearings, it says that there is an upper inner race, then ball bearings then and upper outer race. then on the bottom side there is another set of ball bearings with an inner and outer race. it doesnt say what type of bearings they are but you can probably go on bikebandit and order the oem ons for reasonable price.

 

I just replaced the steering head bearings on my 94 F2. Easily done in my garage in about two hours or so.

Two issues to think about. One is pressing the new bearings onto the triple tree, I took mine into a shop and got then to do it for $25 as opposed to hammering on new bearings myself. Second, hammering out the bottom race was a pain in the ***. Took two people and 45 min or so. Ended up with a burr in the race surface that had to be ground out.

As far as replacement bearings, get yourself a set of tapered bearings from allballs. Think about doing the front wheel bearings as well since you will have the front wheel off anyway. Breakpads too if needed.

Feel free to PM or email me if you have any questions.

 

I know I'm bringing this thread back from the dead but could you be more specific as to how you hammered out the bottom race? I just took mine apart tonight and saw that I can't catch the bottom race from the top.