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Steering Stem Bearings FYI - Printable Version

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Steering Stem Bearings FYI - CBXBob_imp - 01-18-2015

I checked the steering stem bearings as a preventive winter maintenance (5300 mi)curiosity item. Checked the torque and found to be about 1/8 turn loose. Not significant. Disassembled to check the amount of lube and found to adequate to go several years imho. Not over lubed, but totally enough unlike I have found on several other Japanese motorcycles. In conclusion if it becomes necessary to adjust the stem bearings , I would be comfortable to adjust only with out dis-assembly to check the lube. BTW the way the steering head and swing arm bearings call for a new Poly-Urea lube. I think this Honda Automotive Grease fits the bill.


RE: Steering Stem Bearings FYI - the Ferret - 01-18-2015

Bob, last I checked, spec for steering stem was something like 2 1/2 pounds of pressure and always wondered how you checked that properly or accurately? I've always used the flop to stop test. How did you determine yours was 1/8 turn loose?


RE: Steering Stem Bearings FYI - CBXBob_imp - 01-18-2015

21 lbf-ft per Shop Manual, using a torque wrench and the the steering stem nut wrench. Not to be confused with steering stem preload, which is the the force required to initiate movement of the fork bridge from the center position to to left or right


RE: Steering Stem Bearings FYI - the Ferret - 01-18-2015

Ahhh gotcha.


RE: Steering Stem Bearings FYI - redbirds_imp - 01-19-2015

(01-18-2015, 05:06 AM)CBXBob_imp Wrote: I checked the steering stem bearings as a preventive winter maintenance (5300 mi)curiosity item. Checked the torque and found to be about 1/8 turn loose. Not significant. Disassembled to check the amount of lube and found to adequate to go several years imho. Not over lubed, but totally enough unlike I have found on several other Japanese motorcycles. In conclusion if it becomes necessary to adjust the stem bearings , I would be comfortable to adjust only with out dis-assembly to check the lube. BTW the way the steering head and swing arm bearings call for a new Poly-Urea lube. I think this Honda Automotive Grease fits the bill.

Good post, thanks for the info.Thumbs Up


RE: Steering Stem Bearings FYI - VOZZA_imp - 01-19-2015

Interesting post, Thanks


RE: Steering Stem Bearings FYI - CBXBob_imp - 01-19-2015

(01-19-2015, 05:33 AM)VOZZA_imp Wrote: Interesting post, Thanks

Thanks. All the time I spent trying to figure out
what I wanted to do when I grew up, now I don't have to.