Are my head bearings knackered?

[Rob W]

Lo all.

I've noticed a few times lately when I've been braking that the front end seems to 'judder'. Imagine the front tyre gripping and then letting go but in a straight line, that's about the best way to describe it (it's nothing to do with the tyre though, I can tell it's something else). Thing is I've only ever noticed it when braking at a really low speed, say less than 5mph. I can brake really hard from silly speeds and not notice it at all.

I've checked the front wheel bearings and there's no play, but is it possible that the head bearings could be shagged and may cause something like this? Just seems strange that I only ever seem to notice it at lower speeds. It's also weird because it doesn't /always/ do it?

Cheers for any help.


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'90 TS50 > '04 Senda 125 > '91 ZXR400 > '90 CB-1 > '04 GSX-R1000 > '96 Bandit 600 > '89 ZXR750 H1 > '96 GSX-R750 SRAD > '98 RR-W Fireblade > '98 T595 Daytona > '03 Hornet 900 > '04 Fireblade > '16 GSX-S1000F (x2) > '23 XSR900

[Whosthedaddy]

My ZXR seemed to do the same, judder and shake at slow speeds and nothing at harder faster breaking.



I put it down to the leaking fork seals at the time
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[instigator]

Have you checked for notchiness of the head bearings?

Get front off the deck and turn bars from left to right. Should move freely.

Not quite sure how else you can check them but you can always tighten the adjuster. My er5 had shagged head bearings and had this jarring effect at times.

[Rob W]

Wondering if it might be the fact my front fairing is held on by cable ties and covered in cracks making it wobble.



That should all be sorted in a week or so though, I'm getting myself an immaculate complete fairing (minus the tank) for £150 .
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'90 TS50 > '04 Senda 125 > '91 ZXR400 > '90 CB-1 > '04 GSX-R1000 > '96 Bandit 600 > '89 ZXR750 H1 > '96 GSX-R750 SRAD > '98 RR-W Fireblade > '98 T595 Daytona > '03 Hornet 900 > '04 Fireblade > '16 GSX-S1000F (x2) > '23 XSR900

[phantomtek]

Check your front disc for warping.

[Gradog]

It is quite possible it is the head bearings, although it could also be a warped disc. Either way, jack up the front. Grab the bottom of the fork legs and pull, if they move it is the bearings. whilst you are there spin the front wheel, you should see if the disc is warped, and holiding a steel rule up against it from the fork leg will prove it.
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Grey haired bikers don't get that way from pure luck. Only a biker knows why a dog sticks his head out of the car window.

[california_rookie]

My '04 GSX-R does the same thing. Fork harmonics or some such nonsense methinks.
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[Rob W]

Cheers for the replies lads, much appreciated .

When I get the new fairing I'm thinking of giving the old girl a good service and a proper strip down and clean up. I've ridden a tatty bike for a year now and it's really pissing me off, sick of having a manky looking bike, getting knocked off just made me lose interest in it.


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'90 TS50 > '04 Senda 125 > '91 ZXR400 > '90 CB-1 > '04 GSX-R1000 > '96 Bandit 600 > '89 ZXR750 H1 > '96 GSX-R750 SRAD > '98 RR-W Fireblade > '98 T595 Daytona > '03 Hornet 900 > '04 Fireblade > '16 GSX-S1000F (x2) > '23 XSR900