Topic: Stupid Move or Work Needed?

[Popwood]

Cruising down the interstate last night at 60 to 65 mph on my '75 550K and thought I'd try a little test on the steering head. Gave the handlebars a quick little side to side jiggle and was shocked (if not a little terrified) of the response. That wiggle immediately became a momentary wobble that went through the whole bike frame and momentarily felt like it was about to take on a life of its own.

Now I did this test because I just installed tapered bearings in my other bike, a '75 750. Although I never tried this little experiment with it (and probably never will) I noted a real steering improvement there, so was just wondering if the 550 should get the same steering makeover.

So, was this just a really dumb thing to do on a bike at that speed or should I dig into the 550 steering? It's a bike that's in great shape and just turned 8000 lifetime miles.

Feel free to call me dumb and lucky.

[honda750k]

I would get it on a stand and see if the steering bearings need to be adjusted. it sound like they need some adjustment.   

[Popwood]

Yup, I'm thinking that's the first thing to check. If adjustment needed, should I assume a little tightening is in order?

[scunny]

check your swingarm

[Popwood]

Thanks, scunny. I'll put that on the list i'm making of things to check.

[KB02]

Feel free to call me dumb and lucky.

I think you're dumb and lucky. It's not that I think the procedure is totally without merit, but at the speed you did it at, it was just unsafe. I will agree with the others, though, get it on a stand and check it out.

[bucky katt]

make sure theres plenty of grease in those steering bearings too.

[honda750k]

make sure theres plenty of grease in those steering bearings too.

It'd sure be nice if there were grease fitting on there wouldnt it?

[Popwood]

Thanks all, so now I have a weekend project.
Question: To simply adjust steering head tightness, what's the easy way? When I just did the 750 front end, it was all apart. Can I simply loosen the the fork and stem pinch bolts, remove the stem bolt, lower it all enough to get to the the adjuster nut on the stem?

Do handlebars need to come off? This is a 550K.

Thanks for any time saving tips here.