Topic: Process for disassembling front end? ('78 CB550K)

[deeveebee]

I want to clean and re-pack my bike's steering head bearings.  It's a job I've done a million times on bicycles, but there's a hell of a lot more to disassemble on my Honda.  It seems easy enough to remove the top triple tree and accessing the top bearings, but getting the stem fully out of the frame out seems to necessitate disconnecting the wiring in the headlight bucket, among other things.  Is it possible to lower the stem enough to get to the bottom bearings and clean the cup/race?  Is there a good procedure for this described somewhere?  I've done a lot of searching on this topic and have found some hints about hanging the handlebar from a rope (to avoid the very labor-intensive process described in the service manual).  Any advice or links to relevant threads would be greatly appreciated!

[bryanj]

Simple answer no.
Only easy way to replace headraces is a complete strip, note i said EASY.

Another thing is after 40+ years i can say its not worth doing all the work to clean and regrease you need to replace with either same or taper roller kit

[RAFster122s]

Often the original ball bearings unless in grease can scatter, depending upon how bad the headstock is, or was last regreased… They are notorious for getting lost on reassembly or disassembly.
But, like was said, typically they are done and all need replaced. Either with stock bearings or replace races and all with tapered bearing kits.
Most just opt for the tapered bearing kits.

[Stev-o]

Another thing is after 40+ years i can say its not worth doing all the work to clean and regrease you need to replace with either same or taper roller kit

+1...install tapered roller bearings. Here is all the info you need...

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,1516.0.html

[BenelliSEI]

I have used the balls once, on the restoration of my S/C, just because I’ve always used the tapered bearings, in the past. It was very easy because I started with an empty frame, installed the cups, and dropped the bottom part of the tree (stem) in while the frame was upside down. Bungy cord, flipped it all over and installed the top.......

On a complete motorcycle, take the advice from the comments above.

[newday777]

I want to clean and re-pack my bike's steering head bearings.  It's a job I've done a million times on bicycles, but there's a hell of a lot more to disassemble on my Honda.  It seems easy enough to remove the top triple tree and accessing the top bearings, but getting the stem fully out of the frame out seems to necessitate disconnecting the wiring in the headlight bucket, among other things.  Is it possible to lower the stem enough to get to the bottom bearings and clean the cup/race?  Is there a good procedure for this described somewhere?  I've done a lot of searching on this topic and have found some hints about hanging the handlebar from a rope (to avoid the very labor-intensive process described in the service manual).  Any advice or links to relevant threads would be greatly appreciated!

Welcome to the forum deeveebee.
I looked through your posts and see you haven't gone to the new members section and introduced yourself and your bike yet.
Unfortunately there isn't an easy way to replace the races and bearings without taking it apart, though you can probably leave the wires in the headlight bucket with the bucket dangling.
I also highly suggest changing to the tapered bearings for better handling. The stock type round ball bearings in a short time put dents in the races(from hitting bumps in the roads) and cause steering wobbles and tank slappers in worst case scenario. Do not try to save money by repacking your old bearings.....been there and done it....you won't like the outcome. With the races dented,  you can not get the correct torque, as that dent will give a loose spot in the torque in which the ball bearing bounces back and forth. Full replacement of balls and races is necessary on steering bearings, better choice for handling is changing to tapered bearings. Plus you don't have to fiddle loosing the loose ball bearings......