STEERING HEAD

Removing the lower bracket

Order

Job/Parts to remove

Q’ty

Remarks

 

 

 

Refer to CHECKING AND ADJUSTING THE STEERING HEAD.

 

 

 

Use a maintenance stand to raise the front wheel off the ground.

 

Headlight

 

Refer to GENERAL CHASSIS.

 

Handlebar

 

Refer to HANDLEBAR.

1

Front fender

1

 

2

Steering stem nut

1

 

3

Front fork leg

2

Refer to FRONT FORK.

Removing the lower bracket

Order

Job/Parts to remove

Q’ty

Remarks

4

Upper bracket

1

 

5

Washer

1

 

6

Steering ring nut

1

 

7

Lower bracket

1

[“a” = Approx. 20.0 mm (0.79 in)]

8

Bearing race cover

1

 

9

Upper bearing

1

 

10

Bearing race

2

 

11

Lower bearing

1

 

REMOVING THE LOWER BRACKET

1.Use a maintenance stand to raise the front wheel off the ground.

Securely support the vehicle so that there is no danger of it falling over.

2.Remove:

  • Ring nut “1”

Remove the ring nut with the steering nut wrench “2”.

  • Steering nut wrench

    90890-01403

  • Exhaust flange nut wrench

    YU-A9472

Securely support the lower bracket so that there is no danger of it falling.

CHECKING THE STEERING HEAD

1.Wash with kerosene:

  • Bearing

  • Bearing race

2.Check:

  • Bearing

  • Bearing race

    Damage/pitting → Replace.

3.Replace:

  • Bearing

  • Bearing race

a.Remove the bearing race from the steering head pipe with a long rod “1” and a hammer.

b.Remove the bearing race from the lower bracket with a chisel “2” and a hammer.

c.Install a new bearing race.

If the bearing race is not installed properly, the steering head pipe could be damaged.

Always replace the bearing and the bearing race as a set.

4.Check:

  • Upper bracket

  • Lower bracket

    (along with the steering stem)

    Bends/cracks/damage → Replace.

INSTALLING THE STEERING HEAD

1.Install:

  • Lower bearing “1”

Apply the lithium-soap-based grease on the dust seal lip and bearing inner circumference.

2.Install:

  • Bearing race

  • Upper bearing “1”

  • Bearing race cover “2”

Apply the lithium-soap-based grease on the bearing and bearing race cover lip.

3.Install:

  • Lower bracket “1”

Apply the lithium-soap-based grease on the bearing, the portion “a” and thread of the steering stem.

4.Install:

  • Steering ring nut “1”

  • Steering ring nut

    7 N·m (0.7 kgf·m, 5.2 lb·ft)

Install the steering ring nut with its stepped side “a” facing downward.

Tighten the steering ring nut with a steering nut wrench “2”.

Refer to CHECKING AND ADJUSTING THE STEERING HEAD.

5.Check the steering stem by turning this lock to lock. If there is any binding, remove the steering stem and check the steering bearing.

6.Install:

  • Washer “1”

7.Install:

  • Front fork “1”

  • Upper bracket “2”

  • Temporarily tighten the lower bracket pinch bolts.

  • Do not tighten the upper bracket pinch bolts yet.

8.Install:

  • Steering stem nut “1”

  • Steering stem nut

    145 N·m (14.5 kgf·m, 107 lb·ft)

Apply the lithium-soap-based grease to the contact surface of the steering stem nut when installing.

9.After tightening the nut, check the steering for smooth movement. If not, adjust the steering by loosening the steering ring nut little by little.

10.Adjust:

  • Front fork top end “a”

  • Front fork top end (standard) “a”

    8 mm (0.3 in)

11.Tighten:

  • Upper bracket pinch bolt “1”

  • Upper bracket pinch bolt

    21 N·m (2.1 kgf·m, 15 lb·ft)

  • Lower bracket pinch bolt “2”

  • Lower bracket pinch bolt

    21 N·m (2.1 kgf·m, 15 lb·ft)

Tighten the lower bracket to specified torque. If torqued too much, it may cause the front fork to malfunction.