Topic: Steering stem headnut 75 550F

[Tews19]

I am trying to remove my triple tree and have gotten everything off minus the triple tree. I looked in the manual and it states to use a 48 MM Pin Spanner...... Where can I get this? I thought it was a 24 mm socket which i could use and I was wrong.....

[Johnie]

Try the tool in the kit which is used to adjust the OEM shocks. That spanner hook tool should work.

[Tews19]

I tried that it is too big.. is it a 30 mm socket? found a thread for a 750 and not sure if it would be the same

[Johnie]

You are talking about the nut that holds down the top steering bearing correct?

[seanbarney41]

...try the spanner for shock pre-load adjustment in the tool kit, if you have that, it should work, otherwise some big assed channel locks will usually get it too...it's not supposed to be on there that tight, but they do tend to get stuck over the years or bodged by previous owners...or you could ask at a knowledgable cycle shop, the local one in my town found me one that is close enough to work for less than $10...

[Tews19]

Its the biggest nut and in the middle of both fork bolts... I thought it was called the head steering nut....

[Johnie]

You got it. It is the steering stem nut. Under it is the top steering bearing. Try the channel locks like mentioned. It should not be on very tight. Bet those old bearing balls are dry as a bone too.

[Tews19]

You got it. It is the steering stem nut. Under it is the top steering bearing. Try the channel locks like mentioned. It should not be on very tight. Bet those old bearing balls are dry as a bone too.

I am pretty sure they are.. I will post bikes in my build thread I started... I want to order tapered bearings and it was suggested to go with timkens... ANyone know the part number for my bike?


Got it off, thanks Johnie and seanbarney

Didnt look to bad.. Funny part is there were only a few balls on the bottom and actually inside of the middle of the neck

[Johnie]

Take a look at the service manual and it will tell you how many balls should be in each race. But if you are putting in Timken you won't need that info. Are you changing to tapered because there is a dent in the races you can feel, or just changing them out? Good pic there too.

[Tews19]

Take a look at the service manual and it will tell you how many balls should be in each race. But if you are putting in Timken you won't need that info. Are you changing to tapered because there is a dent in the races you can feel, or just changing them out? Good pic there too.

What does dent in races mean?  I want to change them out.. Stev-o has been helping with the tapered bearings. I found the single roller tapered on Tinkens site but have no idea which ones are forr the 75' 550F.. i want to improve the handling of the bikke.. Not going for just looks... Well,At least not trying to do a half ass job

[Danno]

they are the same taper bearings as the ones used in the 750 taper bearing mod you can find them at the old bike barn but I would just look at the pictures with the numbers on them and then go to a bearing supply house and get them it is cheaper

[Johnie]

The dent I was talking about is like a notch or notches that you can feel when you turn the bars. They are caused by over tightening, age and wear on the races. My K4 had notches so bad that it was scary to drive the bike.

[Stev-o]

You probably didn't have the notch, you would have felt it when you rode.

No, you can't but directly from Timken, just sent that link as they had good explanation of the diff type of bearings.

OBB has them for $42, Amazon for $37

http://www.oldbikebarn.com/Motorcycle_Parts/Steering-Bearings

[dave500]

they are the same taper bearings as the ones used in the 750 taper bearing mod you can find them at the old bike barn but I would just look at the pictures with the numbers on them and then go to a bearing supply house and get them it is cheaper

that wont work the inner cup has a smaller special OD.