Steering head bearings

koolio · Spanner Monkey Joined: 08 Apr 2011 Karma :

I'm going to be messing around / replacing headstock bearings, had a couple of questions. Bikes are 70s CB450 K3-K5

1) Can you remove the fork yolk / steering stem and replace without having to replace the bearings?

2) The answer to this is probably no, but worth a shot. I have brand new bearings on 1 frame (haven't checked whether they are old type ball bearings or newer tapered type) , the other frame is a spare and requires an MOT to get papers (don't need to get into that subject here).

For the sake of getting an MOT and then storing the frame in question, is it possible to cross the bearings over from one identical frame to another and then later swap them back over?

I can imagine this being possible with the old ball bearing type, but with a tapered bearing hammering out may damage them.

All ears!

MarkJ · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Karma :

1. If you mean remove the bottom yoke, then yes that's fine. Actually removing the stem from the bottom yoke you'd have to remove the bottom race, but I doubt that's the question you're asking.

2. If the ball bearings fit in both frames then yes you can sue them fine. It's not recommended (in the same way that not putting new sprockets on when you change a drive chain isn't recommended) but would be fine.

unitynotsocri... · Banned Joined: 29 Jun 2011 Karma :

suppose you could,if you kept the bearings in each race complete and used the bottom and top frame bearing caps that went with the bearing.

but for the effort and the cheap price of new bearings (loose) you could half retore em and save swapping em back at a later date.

you can replace ball bearings with rollers but the cups..bearing frame inserts are obviously a different shape.

Knocking top cups out of tubes gently,with a longer drift from underneath,works,The bottom yoke is the prob but a local garage ,or gentle screwdriver may release them enough to come off,just try not to damage the cups,its easy to distort them,use lots of small taps rather than big metal bashing,evenly ,
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Nick_Giles · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 01 Jan 2012 Karma :

koolio · Spanner Monkey Joined: 08 Apr 2011 Karma :

MarkJ · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Karma :

There's a TRB kit for them here. Probably £30 after VAT and postage

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

koolio · Spanner Monkey Joined: 08 Apr 2011 Karma :

I went today to try and get the the steering stem out.

I understand I require an adjustable C-spanner type thing to get it off right? It's mandatory right, no way around it? Clymer mentions a pin spanner.

MarkJ · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Karma :

Hammer and drift Thumbs Up

J.M. · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Mar 2011 Karma :

koolio · Spanner Monkey Joined: 08 Apr 2011 Karma :

Yea I definitely need a C spanner to do it properly.

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

If it's thin enough to get in, this is a good deal IMO.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRAPER-3-4-2-19-51mm-ADJUSTABLE-HOOK-WRENCH-C-SPANNER-TOOL-68856-/380445904787?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item589457cf93

Or:-
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bike-bicycle-BIKE-c-spanner-tool-NEW-/160976802195?pt=UK_Spots_Leisure_Cycling_Tools_RepairKits&hash=item257af71193
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koolio · Spanner Monkey Joined: 08 Apr 2011 Karma :

Right only just got back to deal with this again and with a C spanner.

One frame has new tapered bearings the other has the remaining cups from the old ball bearings.

I cannot for the life of me get the cups from the old ones out, no amount of bashing is helping! Do I have to cut?