Bottom line is when you turn your steering at 45 degrees to the left it should be stable, if not, try this simple adjustment that takes less than 20 minutes.
I put new loose steering head bearings in my Moto Guzzi V 50 ll about 25 years ago.. unusual situation with those machines because the races do not wear out only the balls do. The balls were dented so I replaced them packed in Greece to keep them in position I slid the steering stem back in and tightened it up.. The handlebars rotated left and right while I was in the garage and I still had the bike jacked up. They did not feel too loose to me. So I finished up the job and took it for a test ride.. it was the weirdest sensation. The motorcycle wanted to fall over while going in a straight line. I had the bearings too tight..I never realized how reliant a motorcycle is on having the steering head able to float/turn/rotate the steering stem on the bearings.. I was able to make it home without crashing, but it was borderline terrifying. It definitely was an instant maximum adrenaline rush. Going in a straight line, and the bike feels like it is going to fall over at 35, 45 mph.. loose steering head bearings is not good, but tight, is downright dangerous..
I have replaced steering head bearings in the past…Machines that I had to replace the races because they were dented..You tap out the races in the frame, then the bottom race on the steering stem, and you pack the loose ball bearings in grease to have them stay in place while you replace the steering stem, then you place the upper loose ball bearings one at a time in the top race in the frame with grease and put the final top race in place with the dust cover washer, and the nut to snug up the whole assembly. You can’t use a torque wrench most of the time so you have to do it by feel… you turn the steering stem by hand , stop to stop to get a feel for resistance..get a drift and a ball peen hammer and tap the nut or use the special tool I think it’s sometimes called a spanner wrench, shaped like a question mark..if you actually find one that works which is pretty rare,, mine are pretty worn from adjusting spring preload on dual shocks…so-you judge by the amount of drag you have whether or not the bearings are snug enough. Sometimes you give it a little extra expecting the races to seat in those final few thousands of an inch that you couldn’t get them to go, and you plan to recheck in a week or so….i made them a little too snug once..It is pretty alarming because the bike absolutely wants to fall over while you are rolling in a straight line.. anyone that has ever made their steering head bearings too tight, you know exactly what I’m talking about.. you won’t have to guess, you will know immediately if you have your steering head bearings too tight.. Think about it. When you are driving along on your motorcycle at, pick up speed, 40 miles an hour, and the road goes to the left. You actually have to press on the left handlebar, to make it turn to the right slightly. Then the motorcycle will actually lean to the left. Everybody that has survived the first 30 seconds their first time on a motircycle, already knows this whether they know it or not..Those new riders that have not survived that first critical 30 second ride on a motorcycle for the first time, did not know about countersteer .. if that front wheel is not able to float left to right freely as you press with your palms on the handlebars to countersteer without thinking about it. You’re in trouble. It is the most uncomfortable feeling I think I ever had while riding a motorcycle - having too tight steering head bearings.. it almost felt like I was going to panic because I felt instantly that I had no usual control of the motorcycle. It actually felt like I was going to fall over and there was nothing I could do about it…
The jack adapter is nice, but it’s not necessary. I jacked my bike up all the time using that same basic jack using two by fours and other chunks of wood that I can show you a photo if you want, but it’s pretty straightforward. There’s also loops for you to use straps so that the bike can’t tip off the jack.
I have seached all around and cannot find that special lift kit/Adapter....nor can I find that separate Video about it....Please help here...its useless if we cannot lift our bikes.
I do not want to seem like a pest but I have looked at all of your videos on the jack accessory and I looked on ebay for it I do not know if I am using the correct wording or what but can not seem to find it I am in desperate need of finding it I went to my local dealership to ask them what do they use and they were no help either so if it is possible can you put the direct link so I can click on it and order one Thanks In Advance
Steering head bearings are not related to adjusting forks, which is what the pinch bolts and the triple tree are. All he’s doing is taking up on the steering bearings with that what should be a spanner but he’s using a screwdriver.
