Topic: steering head massacre

[fullofdays]

Lower race got hung on the steering head and raked a small groove in the bottom of the steering head.  What can be done to repair the steering head?  Any tips for installing the new tapered race?

[Hush]

I'm not sure which SOHC4 you are installing the tapered bearing kit into but my CB650 had a nasty ridge very similar to that and I filed it down then did the install.
There didn't seem to be any extra movement because of the filing I had to do as the tapered set goes up quite high into the lower race and one of the packer washers that comes with the set ensures that it stays there.

[steam-powered man]

file/sand the damage out.  new bearing in the freezer and heat the steering head thoroughly w/a blow dryer.  place bearing squarely, tap on the outer race only.  use huge socket if you have one, or otherwise make sure it's square until fully seated. 

[Terry in Australia]

file/sand the damage out.  new bearing in the freezer and heat the steering head thoroughly w/a blow dryer.  place bearing squarely, tap on the outer race only.  use huge socket if you have one, or otherwise make sure it's square until fully seated. 

+1. If you've got a Dremel (or a Dremel knock-off like mine) using a sanding drum attachment will remove the scarring quickly. (remove any grease first so it doesn't clog the drum) If the lower bearing shell has any scarring on it, do likewise, it'll make it much easier to insert. Wipe any grit out before you install the bearing, and a dab of grease will help ease the bearing shell in. Cheers, Terry.

[Alan F.]

+1 to all of the above, just be careful not to remove any material from the area where the new lower race will sit when fully installed.

[Johnie]

+1...no big deal. Lucky the damage was in the lower section and will not affect the race. I would use the Dremel and it should smooth out easily. Nice picture there to help the guys out. Let us know how you come out.

[fullofdays]

Great  Thanks guys-- the seat in the lower steering head cleaned up nicely.  The sanding bit smoothed it out nice and proper. 

Any advice on removing the lower bearing ring from around the stem on the lower triple?  I've cut it 3/4 of the way through with the dremel wheel but am weary of cutting into the triple itself.  I've whacked it with a chisel and it hasn't popped through yet.  I'm thinking once I cut it through, I'll be able to beat it off with a punch.

[MCRider]

Great  Thanks guys-- the seat in the lower steering head cleaned up nicely.  The sanding bit smoothed it out nice and proper. 

Any advice on removing the lower bearing ring from around the stem on the lower triple?  I've cut it 3/4 of the way through with the dremel wheel but am weary of cutting into the triple itself.  I've whacked it with a chisel and it hasn't popped through yet.  I'm thinking once I cut it through, I'll be able to beat it off with a punch.

Heating with a handheld propane torch did it for me, came right off with a lever IIRC, tire iron. Relieving it with your cut should help a lot.

[Johnie]

I sprayed some PB Blaster on mine and used a punch. I was able to get enough of a bite to work it off by moving around the ring. I think I was pretty lucky compared to some of the problems I have seen getting that off.