GL1100 Steering head bearing question?

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Explorer
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GL1100 Steering head bearing question?

#1

Post by Explorer »

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.
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Re: GL1100 Steering head bearing question?

#2

Post by Liam »

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.
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Re: GL1100 Steering head bearing question?

#3

Post by ericheath »

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.
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Re: GL1100 Steering head bearing question?

#4

Post by Track T 2411 »

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...
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Re: GL1100 Steering head bearing question?

#5

Post by Explorer »

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!
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Re: GL1100 Steering head bearing question?

#6

Post by robin1731 »

This is why I put bearings/races in the freezer and use a heat gun on the frame. Much easier to get them in.

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Re: GL1100 Steering head bearing question?

#7

Post by Explorer »

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!
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Re: GL1100 Steering head bearing question?

#8

Post by pidjones »

I've just tapped mine in lightly using the old racd as Liam said. I use a small ball peen and patiently tap.
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Re: GL1100 Steering head bearing question?

#9

Post by robin1731 »

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.

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Re: GL1100 Steering head bearing question?

#10

Post by Explorer »

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.
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Re: GL1100 Steering head bearing question?

#11

Post by calif wingnut »

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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Re: GL1100tt Steering head bearing question?

#12

Post by Explorer »

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.
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