GL1100 Steering head bearing question?
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GL1100 Steering head bearing question?
I'm changing out the head bearings on my GL1100 as a part of a complete rebuild.
The bottom outer race is in flush with the head flange, but it has about an 1/8th of an inch to go before it sits against the stop step up inside the head. Will it pull up when I tighten it down from the top or should I keep hammering on it?
Thanks guys.
The bottom outer race is in flush with the head flange, but it has about an 1/8th of an inch to go before it sits against the stop step up inside the head. Will it pull up when I tighten it down from the top or should I keep hammering on it?
Thanks guys.
- Liam
- True Blue Steel Biker
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Re: GL1100 Steering head bearing question?
Use the outer race of the old bearing as a drift to drive the new race home. You will feel it getting solid when the race seats itself.
- ericheath
- Honored Life Member
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Re: GL1100 Steering head bearing question?
There is a slight step above where the race sits. It’s there as a purchase point for a drift when removing it. That might be what you’re feeling or seeing and thinking the race isn’t home yet. It’s easy to see with the race out. If you can slip a feeler gauge in there to the thickness of the race, you have more to go.
Tighten the nut, turn the bars lock to lock several times and check torque. Some recommend going above torque a bit to help it. If it hasn’t seated, turning the bars will usually help the race find its home.
Tighten the nut, turn the bars lock to lock several times and check torque. Some recommend going above torque a bit to help it. If it hasn’t seated, turning the bars will usually help the race find its home.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
- Track T 2411
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Re: GL1100 Steering head bearing question?
As Liam noted above, use the old race to finish seating the new one. Over - tightening can cause damage to the bearing and race. Mike Nixon has a VERY detailed write-up in his 'Spot' about the proper adjustment procedure. Improper adjustment can cause a dangerous 'head shake' or 'tank slapper.' I experienced it on my 1100 after installing new bearings; it's not fun at all...
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow
"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown
Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
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Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!
In The Shed:
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'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
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'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow
"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown
Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!
Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!
In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
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- Titanium Member
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Re: GL1100 Steering head bearing question?
Having checked the old frame and bearing it's now obvious that it still needs to go in further, hammering on it is something I'd rather not do because it's going to need some kind of drift and I don't want to damage the race, but if it's what's required I guess that is the only option I've got!
- robin1731
- Membership Admin
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Re: GL1100 Steering head bearing question?
This is why I put bearings/races in the freezer and use a heat gun on the frame. Much easier to get them in.
.
.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
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- Titanium Member
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- Location: Texas
Re: GL1100 Steering head bearing question?
It did come out of the freezer, but that only helped it in by about half of its height, as for warming the flange, there's this plastic thing in the front that I didn't want to destroy.
Still, I've got this 3/16" drifting tool coming from Amazon, let's see how that does, eh!
Still, I've got this 3/16" drifting tool coming from Amazon, let's see how that does, eh!
- pidjones
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
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Re: GL1100 Steering head bearing question?
I've just tapped mine in lightly using the old racd as Liam said. I use a small ball peen and patiently tap.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
- robin1731
- Membership Admin
- Posts: 21724
- Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 8:31 am
- Location: Decatur, Indiana
Re: GL1100 Steering head bearing question?
Yeah, like these guys are saying use the old race to tap it in. You can cut a slot in the old race so it comes back out easy. The thought of using a drift tool does not sound good.
.
.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
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- Titanium Member
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- Location: Texas
Re: GL1100 Steering head bearing question?
Turns out this plastic thing is a cover for some stuff I'm never gonna use, some kind of indicator cancelling device or something like that can easily go away, and seeing as I removed the electrics for this years ago, plus I'm perfectly capable of turning them off by myself, thank you.
But now I'm at the point to where this has possibly made me have to buy another set of bearings and do it all over again.
Not all its fault though, I did forget to place the bottom seal so this was likely anyhow! But for sure I'm gonna blame it on that.
But now I'm at the point to where this has possibly made me have to buy another set of bearings and do it all over again.
Not all its fault though, I did forget to place the bottom seal so this was likely anyhow! But for sure I'm gonna blame it on that.
- calif wingnut
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Re: GL1100 Steering head bearing question?
I use a large 2 1/4" x 1/4" thick square earthquake retrofit mud sill plate bolt washer to get it flush, tapping it in evenly, then use my driver.
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- Titanium Member
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Re: GL1100tt Steering head bearing question?
Hey, guess what, the drifting tool worked perfectly. the bottom race is now exactly where it needs to be.
Now I just have to decide if the bearing on the forks has to come back off again to install the seal this time, which I'm probably gonna do, just because I'd like to think I'm gonna outlive an unprotected bottom steering head bearing.
Now I just have to decide if the bearing on the forks has to come back off again to install the seal this time, which I'm probably gonna do, just because I'd like to think I'm gonna outlive an unprotected bottom steering head bearing.
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