Author Topic: Help me install tapered bearing kit  (Read 3659 times)

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Offline killersoundz

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Help me install tapered bearing kit
« on: May 25, 2012, 04:35:46 PM »
I know there are already numerous threads on this but the search doesn't seem to be working? Sorry in advance for beating a dead horse.



I've already got everything disassembled, all the races out and even the race off the bottom of the steering neck came off relatively easily. I managed to save the little rubber seal in case I can use that?

From here it's straight forward enough I just have a few small questions. When I put the steering neck in my frame without any bearings at all, up the furthest it can go it will move freely and hit the stops correctly without any obstructions. With that said, will I need to use a washer on the bottom? I'm thinking no.

Where do the seals go that are included in the kit? Very bottom and very top of the assembly?

They could have really took the time to include a little guide with the kit.

That's all for now
My project thread:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=107447.0

My CB750K4 Starting up for the first time after a seized motor and rebuild!


Offline killersoundz

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Re: Help me install tapered bearing kit
« Reply #1 on: May 25, 2012, 04:39:12 PM »
Any specific kind of packing grease I should be using on these, or just whatever I can find?
My project thread:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=107447.0

My CB750K4 Starting up for the first time after a seized motor and rebuild!


Offline cmonSTART

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Re: Help me install tapered bearing kit
« Reply #2 on: May 25, 2012, 04:53:12 PM »
Those kits are a bit light on instructions IMO.  A picture from the manufacturer would help! 

I did mine a couple months ago so bear with me.  I do have a washer on the bottom, though I forget which one.  And, I do have the seals top and bottom of the assembly. 

Any normal multi-purpose #2 grease will be fine. 
1981 GL1100 Interstate
1978 CB750F Project

Offline Old Scrambler

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Re: Help me install tapered bearing kit
« Reply #3 on: May 25, 2012, 05:27:21 PM »
I used the thick washer on the bottom for my K3 and Lithium grease, its white and does not degrade or mix with moisture.  The washer acts as a spacer so the top triple-clamp will seat properly.
Dennis in Wisconsin
'64 Triumph Cub & '74 Honda CB750 Bonneville Salt Flats AMA Record Holder (6)
CB750 Classic Bonneville Racer thread - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,135473.0.html
'63 CL72 Project(s)
'66 CL77 Red
'67 Triumph T100C
'73 750K3 Owned since New
'77 750F2 Cafe Project
2020 ROYAL ENFIELD Himalayan

Offline killersoundz

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Re: Help me install tapered bearing kit
« Reply #4 on: May 25, 2012, 06:04:23 PM »
Ok. Assuming my k4 is same as your k3 I'll shoot for the thick washer..

Just thinking about it doesn't seem like that would leave enough thread for the 'big top nut' to thread into. The top tapered bearing won't seat all the way down it sticks up like 1/2" out of the neck, leaving even less thread.
My project thread:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=107447.0

My CB750K4 Starting up for the first time after a seized motor and rebuild!


Offline CycleRanger

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Re: Help me install tapered bearing kit
« Reply #5 on: May 25, 2012, 06:07:30 PM »
You can use the thick washer to aid in driving on the lower race.  Any quality bearing grease will be fine.
This is a from my 750K5 btw.
« Last Edit: May 26, 2012, 06:23:03 AM by CycleRanger »
Do you have a copy of the Honda Shop Manual or Parts List for your bike? Get one here:
https://www.honda4fun.com/materiale/documentazione-tecnica
CB750K5        '79 XL250s     CL350K3
CB750K3        '76 XS650      '76 CJ360T

Offline killersoundz

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Re: Help me install tapered bearing kit
« Reply #6 on: May 25, 2012, 06:16:11 PM »
Use the thick washer to aid in driving on the lower race.  Any quality bearing grease will be fine.

Ok, so you've got the thin washer. one of those seals, and then the bearing? Sounds about right.

I noticed the two seals that are included are slightly different but basically the same size. Does it matter which one gets used?
My project thread:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=107447.0

My CB750K4 Starting up for the first time after a seized motor and rebuild!


Offline CycleRanger

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Re: Help me install tapered bearing kit
« Reply #7 on: May 25, 2012, 06:17:24 PM »
One fits the larger bearing and the fits the smaller bearing. :)
« Last Edit: May 25, 2012, 06:22:39 PM by CycleRanger »
Do you have a copy of the Honda Shop Manual or Parts List for your bike? Get one here:
https://www.honda4fun.com/materiale/documentazione-tecnica
CB750K5        '79 XL250s     CL350K3
CB750K3        '76 XS650      '76 CJ360T

Offline killersoundz

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Re: Help me install tapered bearing kit
« Reply #8 on: May 25, 2012, 06:19:41 PM »
One should fit on the bottom and one on top. :)

I could have sworn they're like the exact same size except for one has a ridge around the outside. I'll check it out again!
My project thread:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=107447.0

My CB750K4 Starting up for the first time after a seized motor and rebuild!


Offline SohRon

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Re: Help me install tapered bearing kit
« Reply #9 on: May 25, 2012, 06:44:54 PM »
Quote
I know there are already numerous threads on this but the search doesn't seem to be working


That's very strange because, using the Google search function, I came up with 511 results (using the search parameters "install tapered bearings").

Here's the most pertinent: a 22 page thread that will answer every question you have:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=1516.0

Use the search!  ;)
« Last Edit: May 25, 2012, 06:56:03 PM by SohRon »
"He slipped back down the alley with some roly-poly little bat-faced girl..."

Assembling my '74 CB550: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=86697.0
Assembly of the Right-hand Switch (a rebuilder's guide):  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=80532.0
Installing stock 4X4 exhaust: CB500-CB550 K: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=82323.0
CB550 Assembly Manual: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,151576.0.html

Offline killersoundz

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Re: Help me install tapered bearing kit
« Reply #10 on: May 25, 2012, 07:10:38 PM »
I did not see the google search bar before. I clicked on the forum search.

Still, I gathered some info right in here that wasn't as clear in that thread, so I call it a win :)
My project thread:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=107447.0

My CB750K4 Starting up for the first time after a seized motor and rebuild!


Offline shorty24

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Re: Help me install tapered bearing kit
« Reply #11 on: May 26, 2012, 03:20:04 AM »
I literally just installed this bearing set on my bike two days ago.  I've never done anything like it before, and the instructions that came with it were garbage (it honestly didn't even have install instructions), but it only ended up taking me about a half hour.  I had a lot of help from shinyribs, so here are a few tips he gave me I will pass along. 

1.  The order of the parts from the bottom of the neck up are: spacer washer (my 550F used the thin spacer), rubber cup seal (with the rubber cup facing up, towards the bearing), bearing, race...then for the upper set; race, bearing, rubber cup seal (with the cup facing down, towards the bearing), spanner nut, top triple, stock washer and nut.

2.  Keeping the old lower race is a great help in installing the new one; just get the new race started in the neck, then place the old one up against it and pound it the rest of the way in.  The old race will force the new one all the way up into the neck, but shouldn't go up far enough into the neck that it will get stuck back in itself.  Also, the top race should stick up out of the neck a little bit, that's normal.

3.  You can put the triple and the new races in the freezer, this may help when installing the parts (I also used some lithium grease to help everything slide into place). 

4.  You can differentiate the lower bearing parts from the uppers due to the fact that all of the lower parts should be a slightly larger diameter. 

I think that's pretty much everything.  I forgot to re-route my cables and some wires around the forks before I reinstalled the forks, so I had to take the forks back off...
« Last Edit: May 26, 2012, 03:23:08 AM by shorty24 »

Offline matt mattison

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Re: Help me install tapered bearing kit
« Reply #12 on: May 26, 2012, 03:31:52 AM »
Make sure you measure the height of the old bearing stack before driving anything onto your triple tree neck. You need to pick the correct shim from your kit. Do not assume someone with the same bike uses the same thickness shim as you will. Measure twice, drive once! Freeze the lower triple overnight, and install everything else onto the lower triple warm, this will keep the pounding to a minimum.
1975 CB550F
2011 MV Agusta Brutale 1090RR

Offline DJ_AX

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Re: Help me install tapered bearing kit
« Reply #13 on: May 26, 2012, 04:31:46 AM »
I've installed these bearings on my 550 and my 750. Both times I didn't heat or freeze anything and they went on fine.
Just don't let 'em get cock-eyed and crooked!
~ Vincent . . . '75 CB750 K5 . . . '97 BMW r1100rt . . . had; '75 CB550 K1 (sold) . . .  '73 CB350G (gifted) HELL YEAH!
Disclaimer: I could be wrong. :)

Offline killersoundz

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Re: Help me install tapered bearing kit
« Reply #14 on: May 26, 2012, 07:31:41 AM »
I have to admit, I don't really have the old bearing parts laying around in an orderly fashion where I can check out the stack height. I'm going to pray and use the thin washer? Sound good?
My project thread:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=107447.0

My CB750K4 Starting up for the first time after a seized motor and rebuild!


Offline DJ_AX

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Re: Help me install tapered bearing kit
« Reply #15 on: May 26, 2012, 07:34:20 AM »
My 550 and 750 both worked with the thinner washer.
~ Vincent . . . '75 CB750 K5 . . . '97 BMW r1100rt . . . had; '75 CB550 K1 (sold) . . .  '73 CB350G (gifted) HELL YEAH!
Disclaimer: I could be wrong. :)

Offline killersoundz

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Re: Help me install tapered bearing kit
« Reply #16 on: May 26, 2012, 07:41:33 AM »
My 550 and 750 both worked with the thinner washer.

Thanks. Yeah I'm confident on the thin washer.
My project thread:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=107447.0

My CB750K4 Starting up for the first time after a seized motor and rebuild!


Offline matt mattison

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Re: Help me install tapered bearing kit
« Reply #17 on: May 26, 2012, 07:43:43 AM »
LOL, I chucked my bearing stack too when I did mine. This is what I did, for the bottom of the triple tree tube you need to take a measurement. I used my caliper and measure from the bottom of the tube up to the shoulder/stop inside the tube. Write down that measurement. Now put together you bearing stack on your bench with one of the two shims provided. Measure the stack. Write it down. Now remove the shim and add the other one. Take and write that measurement. Use whatever shim that puts you closest to that lower inner triple tree measurement. The dimension of the bearing stack and the inner lower tube dimension probably wont match up exactly, so use whatever configuration that has the closest dimension.
1975 CB550F
2011 MV Agusta Brutale 1090RR

Offline SohRon

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Re: Help me install tapered bearing kit
« Reply #18 on: May 26, 2012, 08:00:11 AM »
Quote
Still, I gathered some info right in here that wasn't as clear in that thread, so I call it a win


So, did you look at the other 510 results? None of them answered your question?
"He slipped back down the alley with some roly-poly little bat-faced girl..."

Assembling my '74 CB550: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=86697.0
Assembly of the Right-hand Switch (a rebuilder's guide):  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=80532.0
Installing stock 4X4 exhaust: CB500-CB550 K: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=82323.0
CB550 Assembly Manual: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,151576.0.html

Offline shinyribs

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Re: Help me install tapered bearing kit
« Reply #19 on: May 26, 2012, 08:02:09 AM »
You''ll be fine with the thin washer. I have even done one (750)with no spacer washer at all. It was accidentally left off and it still cleared fine.
The darn fool didn't know it couldn't be done...so he went ahead and did it anyway.

My Hackjob build- http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=106103.0

Offline lucky

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Re: Help me install tapered bearing kit
« Reply #20 on: May 26, 2012, 08:19:54 AM »
I know there are already numerous threads on this but the search doesn't seem to be working? Sorry in advance for beating a dead horse.



I've already got everything disassembled, all the races out and even the race off the bottom of the steering neck came off relatively easily. I managed to save the little rubber seal in case I can use that?

From here it's straight forward enough I just have a few small questions. When I put the steering neck in my frame without any bearings at all, up the furthest it can go it will move freely and hit the stops correctly without any obstructions. With that said, will I need to use a washer on the bottom? I'm thinking no.

Where do the seals go that are included in the kit? Very bottom and very top of the assembly?

They could have really took the time to include a little guide with the kit.

That's all for now

People keep complaning that the search feature does not work.
All you have to do is go to Google and type in the words and it will show you SOHC articles. No problem.

Offline killersoundz

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Re: Help me install tapered bearing kit
« Reply #21 on: May 26, 2012, 02:58:10 PM »
Got it installed. It's very stiff! It seems like the bottom bearing is rubbing up against the seal pretty hard. I was expecting it to be smooth as glass. Is it ok to have stiff steering like that? Doesn't matter how tight or loose the top nut is either really.

Could also be that they're freshly heavily greased?
« Last Edit: May 26, 2012, 03:01:26 PM by killersoundz »
My project thread:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=107447.0

My CB750K4 Starting up for the first time after a seized motor and rebuild!


Offline Old Scrambler

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Re: Help me install tapered bearing kit
« Reply #22 on: May 26, 2012, 03:16:13 PM »
Its most likely rubbing on the frame.........solved by using the thick washer.  Do not tighten the collar more than SNUG.......
Dennis in Wisconsin
'64 Triumph Cub & '74 Honda CB750 Bonneville Salt Flats AMA Record Holder (6)
CB750 Classic Bonneville Racer thread - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,135473.0.html
'63 CL72 Project(s)
'66 CL77 Red
'67 Triumph T100C
'73 750K3 Owned since New
'77 750F2 Cafe Project
2020 ROYAL ENFIELD Himalayan

Offline killersoundz

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Re: Help me install tapered bearing kit
« Reply #23 on: May 26, 2012, 03:22:32 PM »
Its most likely rubbing on the frame.........solved by using the thick washer.  Do not tighten the collar more than SNUG.......

Not rubbing on the frame at all
My project thread:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=107447.0

My CB750K4 Starting up for the first time after a seized motor and rebuild!


Offline killersoundz

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Re: Help me install tapered bearing kit
« Reply #24 on: May 26, 2012, 03:27:58 PM »
I think my expectations were too high of how smooth it would be. I backed off the main nut a little and it takes a strong pinky finger to turn it but it's not that stiff I guess. I was just expecting it to rotate super easily.
My project thread:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=107447.0

My CB750K4 Starting up for the first time after a seized motor and rebuild!