Removing steering head races

[twinring]

Hi,
I have just removed the steering head races from the frame and would like to share how it was done.

Firstly a couple of assumptions:
The races are not going to be re-used
There is not alot of corrosion in the steering head

Both races were coated with 3 in 1 penetrating fluid for a couple of days.

Upper race:
I used a pin punch, locating it on the protruding edge of the race and gently taping it (from underneath). To my surprise the bearing race started to shift and was removed with no visible damage to it or the steering head.

Lower race:
There was no protruding edge that could be used here. Instead there was a groove above the race.
I used a tyre iron (for m/c tyres) and placed the pointed end in the groove (at the rear of the steering head). To hold it in position, I wrapped some gardening wire around the lever, suspending it from the hole in a bracket at the front of the steering head.
I then used my pin punch from above (and inside the steering head) to gently tap the tyre lever. This did the trick. I was able to remove the lower race without any visible damage.

I hope this story helps.
Zac.

[cyril]

Hi
managed to recover a lower inner race by heating with a hot air gun, and tapping using brass drift. (could not save seal).
Had to grind a flat on one though, and split it using a chisel.
By the marks on the stem someone had previously air chiseled it off .
Bought a slide hammer puller ( ebay 280559056675 ) for headstock upper and lower Taper bearing races, got them out in a jiffy.
Ball Bearing races a little trickier to do with no damage.
Its too Beefy for swing arm bearings. this one ( ebay 310235798303 )may be OK for that job.


Tip on replacing fork seals.
Trim rubber on inner and outer face on the old ones,
these can then be used to press / drift in the new ones into their recess.
I was fortunate to have an old fork lower to ram them in place.

Chris

Attachments:

[cyril]

Anyone know the best place in Uk to get Headstock bearings?

EBR bearing supplies(http://www.ukbearingsupplies.co.uk/Ebay160512965323)
can do good upper and lower at just under £25 incl VAT & P&P

Taper roller Bearings
32005x/26 (4TCR0574) top bearing, 26x47x15.
32006JR Bottom Bearing 30x55x17

Ball Bearing
SAC 2647 top bearing,
SAC 3055-1 Bottom Bearing

Simply bearings.co.uk seems to be the best price i can find for the seals.

reg'ds Chris

[Jake]

Nov 30, 2010 14:14:20 GMT -5 cyril said:

Hi
managed to recover a lower inner race by heating with a hot air gun, and tapping using brass drift. (could not save seal).
Had to grind a flat on one though, and split it using a chisel.
By the marks on the stem someone had previously air chiseled it off .
Bought a slide hammer puller for headstock upper and lower races, got them out in a jiffy no damage.have not sized it up for swing arm bearings.
ebay 280559056675

Tip on replacing fork seals.
Trim rubber on inner and outer face on the old ones,
these can then be used to press / drift in the new ones into their recess.
I was fortunate to have an old fork lower to ram them in place.

Chris

Good tips, Chris.....
Wemoto has a section on bearings (and seals),

www.wemoto.com/bikes/Honda/NTV_650_S_T_Revere/95-96/

Tapered headrace bearings (upper and lower) are quoted
at around £17.50 each.....A Japanese set is a bit more reasonable
at around £29.50.