Topic: Steering problem.

[LesterPiglet]

I've just took my bike down the street for the first time in twenty years, after a major rebuild. Frame/forks/wheels...almost everything except the engine and electrics. My steering is very heavy, like dangerous. Would this be more likely head bearings or something else? I checked the movement in the steering before putting the wiring or cables on, even the forks were off.
I'm thinking I have my cables/wiring routed wrong.
Would the grade of fork oil make a huge difference at 10mph? I'm not sure what grade I'm using as I'm old and forgetful. 

[scondon]

Put the bike on the center stand and weight the rear so that the front lifts in the air so you can check the steering. It should easily fall side to side from center. If you have to push it to get it to move side to side then I'd suspect neck bearings or cable routing as you suspect.

If you over tighten the neck bearings when putting it together this could also cause very heavy steering. Get the sensation of being pulled to the side and have to lean hard to correct.

[Spanner 1]

Low front tyre ( or even rear tyre)  pressure or both tyres could do that ( notice I spelled tire the English way  ).
Les.... many congrats at getting your bike running, a big day in Bangor I'm sure 

[LesterPiglet]

An update. After not having any progress with adjustments I decided to buy new taper bearings just to eliminate one potential problem.
I took the front end apart and found this.


It's an obvious wear mark. Not as bad as it looks as the paint is quite thick but there should be no contact at all. The only way I can see this happening is if the bearing was too loose and allowing the stem to shift. The wear is on the front of the stem only.

[adamlwvdc36]

that would defiantly cause your problem.. good find