Topic: All Balls (Top Steering Stem Nut Thread Count)

[The Gurg]

Tried posting on the All Balls thread, but not sure if it’s getting visibility. Hope I’m not violating forum etiquette.

CB750K5
How many turns of thread do I need for the top steering stem nut? Am I remembering right that the rule of thumb for fasteners/hardware in general is 5 turns? Looks like I’m getting 3-4 (see photo)?

Also, not sure if the threaded steering head (that you use the spanner tool or channel locks on) is sitting low enough. Hard to gauge torque with a pair of channel locks, maybe I need to go tighter. See photo.

Have the top seal in still, so maybe I need to pull that out. Other possible issue is the seating of the lower race, had another post on that. If it’s not seated fully, it’s really stinking close so can’t imagine that’s affecting the thread count at the top of the stem. After measuring the old stock setup, I used the thin spacer from the All Balls kit.

[754]

Put  a thinner washer up top,  it only pulls down top tree , tbatvthen gets clamped.
 Then try it see what you got..

[The Gurg]

This is the washer right under the nut (90503-283-000)? So I’d get a washer maybe half as thick? That way I get 1 or maybe 2 more turns?

[754]

You can use one as thin as 1.5mm or 2 mm.. 1.5mm is 1/16 approx.
 It's just a surface to prevent scarring the triple tree..

[BenelliSEI]

Not sure if this will help, but I get in trouble when I use the wrong washer (too thick) under the bearing, at the bottom of the stem. This results in too few threads on top.

AND the factory, chrome fork ears (if you use them) will rattle up and down because the top and bottom of the tree are now too far apart....... if you are not using the fork ears, just put a thinwasher on top.

The kits usually come with two washers, that will fit the bottom. I keep all the WRONG ones, zip tied together, in a drawer. Helps me remember my mistakes, next year time!

[The Gurg]

I used the thin washer. I’ll go back and double check that I didn’t mixed up the washers. Could have happened.

Thoughts on the dust cover up top, still have that in. Seeing on the main tapered bearing thread that a lot of people pulled that out. Looks thin to me though, maybe guys are leaving the dust cover out because of how it interacts with the bearing and not stack height?

[754]

Does not the discover work like a lockout to tension bearings, and hold in the  stem?
 That is what I like about tapered roller,  remove top tree,  then dustcap and fork pulls out , no loose parts falling..

[The Gurg]

I’m pretty sure I’ll be finding ball bearings in my garage for years from disassembly of the stock setup haha