Topic: Winter project-front end rebuild-MrBreeze style

[mrbreeze]

I am in the process of starting my winter project (and its already february!!)  The plan.......remove complete front end...send triples to be powdercoated....install tapered bearings. Meanwhile....polish lower tubes and new fork seals.When all that comes together.....I'm doing away with gaitors and stock headlamp brackets. I found the small rubber fork boots at Cycle-exchange for $20. I found polished aluminum headlight brackets at Mikes XS $30. At this point....my triples & forks should be mounted. New front tire,tube,strip,balance......haven't priced yet.Keeping stock fender & brakes for now.Mount front wheel and throw stock bars back on (stripped). OK....now its a roller again. Going to go to Euro bars,Yami 650 chrome controls(Mike's $60 each)....put that all together. I see all kinds of other little goodies here and there that will also be purchased and applied.
Now for some questions (so far!!!) 1. Where is the best steering head bearing kit? I see them at Z-1 but they aren't Timkin bearings? are these kits good or can I get a better kit? If not,I'll buy this from Jeff. 2. Fork seals....someone mentioned double lipped seals from Honda. Are these better than Jeff's? 3.If anyone has gone from stock to the lower euro bars....will I be needing shorter cables/brake hose?
Once I get going on this project,I will start a tally sheet on the parts and keep a progress report here if anyone is interested. I know a lot of members have done all of this so what I am basiclly looking for is maybe if someone notices me getting ready to get a bum deal from a sh!tty supplier....put out a flare and I will always do the same. When I get done with this leg of my work in progress,I may have a bit of parts to unload. I will probably hang with some of it for future projects but we'll see. Any responses are more than welcome.

[mrbreeze]

No help???

[seaweb11]

Hey Breezy/////////,,,,,,,,lets see some photos of the progress.

You don't need no stinkn help yet

[mrbreeze]

I was trying to get a better idea of where to get my parts from but I think I will be OK with just going by what I have read in the search mode. If I turn up a bad purchase,I will post it up to warn others.

[Jim F]

Hey Breeze
Ive used Timkin on all of my bikes and to me they work just fine which anything is better than ball bearings
unless your really doing a ground up restoration on a sand cast 69 and you want it to be perfect
stick with timkin and you,ll be fine

Jim

[mrbreeze]

Z1 lists steering bearing kits and fork seals....... both items K&L....are these as good as Timpkin bearings and are the seals double lip like someone said the OEM Honda seals are? If not ...where to get the good stuff......These parts won't break the bank but I don't want to put in inferior parts to save a few bucks.

[medic09]

I've not yet bought from Jeff myself, but Z1 gets high marks from everybody here.  Contact him directly and ask your questions.  You should get a straight answer.

[mrbreeze]

Thats probably the best thing to do medic.....I do agree...everyone here says Jeff is a top notch guy and I will probably be buying these parts from him.

[Jinxracing]

I've used Timken bearings in machine tools and they're great. Unfortunately, I was unable to track down a set of part numbers to fit my CB750. Hondaman's thread on the subject seemed to peter out with no resolution as to the for-real part numbers needed.

I dropped $40 on a set of AllBalls tapered bearings and they're smooth as can be. They're in the bike now so I can't say for sure, but I seem to remember that they were stamped "Made in Japan" and not "Made in China" (maybe just wishful thinking on my part  ). I was impressed with the snap-fit of the provided rubber dust seal in the lower bearing and the instructions as to proper shimming/spacing made sense. If they are in fact Chinese in origin, they're better than any other Chinese bearing I've used.

Jinx

[RRRToolSolutions]

Mr. Breeze,

Do choose a kit made for full replacement. It's more than just the special tapered bearings - you'll need the special needle bearing races and there are "stack" washers you'll use to obtain the exact same "stack height". You have to remove your triple tree and the bottom race from the frame neck. Then you assemble the 1/4" original balls and race from the frame to get a stack height measurement. Then, using the new kit's included spacers and thickness washers, you have to assemble the new races and bearings to achieve the same, exact height. Only a kit is going to have the special instructions on how/what has to be done. It's an easy install, but it is NOT a straight drop-in upgrade, measuremens and assembly is required.

Remember - if you'll stick that triple tree into the freezer the night before and set the bearing under a hair dryer or heat gun - those slide on super easy. Make sure your powdercoater mask the machined shaft completely and does the inside radious of the fork clamps. You cannot install if the powder is on any part of the shaft.

I have used the All-Balls sets on several bikes, including my K4 CB750. I really like their kits and they are well priced.

Regards,
Gordon

[Einyodeler]

Ditto on the All Balls kit, I`m currently running them in three different bikes and totally satisfied.

[dusterdude]

for the sake of argument,think about the "qualilty" issues of the neck bearings.how good do they need to be?all they do is sit there and rotate in a roughly 180 degree arc and at low rpms at that.so argue on everyone.

[RRRToolSolutions]

Duster, your point is valid - but (there is always one of those) my reference is to the "kit' and getting the right parts. I doubt seriously if he were to go to a bearing supply that he'd get the spacers and full instructions on set-up. I wanted to make this important point moreso than the quality of the bearings.

My $.02.......

Gordon

[andy750]

Hey MrBreeze Ill be interested in seeing how your euro bars look on the bike if you get them. Are they wider/lower? If you do get them please let us know where from/how much. Always appreciated! And good luck!
cheers
Andy

[shoemanII]

i got a black handlebar, the daytona model, from chaparral which looks cool and is lower than stock.  ($13)
custom steel braided line w/black cover to match ($49) should allow a bit better brake feel than the 50inch rubber line previously on my ride -- bike had HUGE apehangers when i bought it.   

by the way, ordered the drag bars (flat handlebar) from chaparral at the same time ($9) and put them on, but the MC contacted the tach.  off they came.  it's yours if you want to try 'em out.

got my tapered set from partsnmore, fine quality/perfect fit.  ($40 delivered).  all balls have a good rep too. 

am nearly done myself, gonna get a bar mounted mirror next then wait for spring.  good luck!
bobp

[mrbreeze]

OK...I have 3 "thumbs up" for All Balls......where do I get em at the best supplier?  How about my fork seals.....I heard Honda still sells them and they are double lip......is this the way to go or does someone know of a seal of this quality at a better place? Now I have to find me a local powder coater. I already know of a place but its 30 miles away. For now...thats all I need to get my forks back on. As far as the bars....that will be later but Z1 or Mike's XL have them.I'm gettin ready to order and hopefully .....will have a sweet front end soon. I like some of the conversions others here have done and am planning on printing some of the posts that interest me.
One more question.........anyone have anything on going to the lower euro bars from stock as far as cable,brake hose length? Just by looking,I would say the brake hose will have to be shorter. Would it be better to use the master cylinder from a different bike? I'm still gonna run the single disc but who knows what I might do later. All input is good at this phase of the project!!!!