Notchy Steering Head

[smegballs]

Today it seems the GS has developed a notch it the steering head bearings.

Before I've had bikes with the good grace to develop notches in the center of the sweep, not this one - the notch is over to the right so the bike is pulling right. I need to put in quite a lot of countersteer just to keep a straight line forward!!

Are the bearings buggered or just need cleaning, repacking with fresh grease and adjusting?

Cheers, Rich

PS: tapered rollers i believe.

[Timmeh]

Have also you checked your front axle? Having to countersteer lots suggests to me that the steering geometry has changed, maybe a wheel bearing is on the way out too?
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GSXR400 x2 | '94 RVF400 | '93 TZR125 4DL (again)
20:22:30 BLUEX5: i would love to be forced to undergo a**l plugging with different sizes
20:48:18 Temeluchus: comp you hunk of smouldering homos3x you

[kungfupoodle]

Agreed, a slightly notchy stearing head wouldn't cause you to countersteer.

It sounds like your front (or rear) wheel is pointing the wrong way!

Do you mean you have to forcibly counter steer or are your handlebars just constantly off to one side?

Edit: I suppose the headbearings could collapse causing the forks to be off vertical but it would feel a lot worse than notchy...

[smegballs]

Theres only one notch, but when the bars are sitting centered in the notch. You can visibly see the top yoke pointing off to the right....

I shall loosen off the yoke bolts to allow the forks to re-center them selves.

This problem has developed helluva quick tho and thats what suprised me, in the space of a few days.

First it felt a bit funny, and I thought my pillion was leaning off to the right? Then I checked the head bearings and found the notch...

I can feel myself fighting the notch as I steer and the bike wanting to sit in the notch and drift to the right...

Gives my arm a strain too with constant effort needed on the bars all the time....

Cheers, Rich