how to check head bearings?

[hazza]

As title. My bikes handling (bandit 6) has gotten dangerous. at first the steering would wander whenever i took my hands off the bars below 20 mph, now its more like 50 mph. It just dosent feel right even with a firm grip on the bars in the corners. Ive checked tyre pressures, chain tension and alignment. As far as i can tell the head bearings are ok as the steering is smooth with the front wheel in the air and i cant seem to feel any play.

Any help appreciated.

Harry.
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3 Honda NC50's(Sold)-->'72 Puch Maxi S (Sold, want it back!)--> '90 Yamaha RXS 100 (Stolen)--> '87 Honda Cub 90(Sold) --> '95 Kawasaki Eliminator (Sold) --> '98 Bandit 600 (Sold) -->'07 SV650S (Current)

[Suntan Sid]

How old, how worn and how have your tyres worn?
I had a similar problem recently, I checked out the bearings and regreased them, didn't make any difference.
A new front tyre, however, transformed things, a closer look at my old tyre revealed that the profile had morphed into triangular shape as opposed to the more traditional rounder cross-section.
Don't forget that a, badly, worn rear tyre will affect handling!
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"Everybody needs money, that's why they call it money!"

[Bezzer]

Pound to a pinch it's the tyres. They can look alright but there can be imperfections as they wear that you can't notice that affects the steering. Head bearing wise if they are smooth as you say and no play trying to rock them off the ground or moving it back and forwards/side to side on the ground against the brake then they would seem to be fine.
If you're hands are off the bars and it shakes then stops at the merest touch as you put your hands back then it'll be the tyres, had that a few times over the years with different bikes.
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I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite so sure.

[temeluchus]

[hazza]

I have a wheel complete with a new tyre in the back of my car for it, but no wheel bearings. Do these need to be pressed in or can i just drive them in with a block and hammer?


Ta

Harry
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3 Honda NC50's(Sold)-->'72 Puch Maxi S (Sold, want it back!)--> '90 Yamaha RXS 100 (Stolen)--> '87 Honda Cub 90(Sold) --> '95 Kawasaki Eliminator (Sold) --> '98 Bandit 600 (Sold) -->'07 SV650S (Current)

[Kickstart]

Hi

You can drift them in using a hammer and a suitable drift. However make sure you only drift against the outer bearing race.

Also if you have no existing bearings make sure you have the spacer between the bearings.

All the best

Keith
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