Steering Head Bearing Swap

Edit

2016-11-11 Steering Head Bearing Swap

She has been patiently waiting. How long has it been since I got her? I don't recall dates so well. But Don was still alive and happy she was going to a good home. That meant much to Don.

On the lift ready to rock. Sure, my 'shop' is outside, but living in drought stricken central Kali has benefits. MollyDog waits for her balls to be kicked. Well, you know  what I mean.. 

Forks off first. Heading to GP Suspension in their new location, Oxnard, Friday 11/18/16.

First foray under the tank of a gen III 2013.

Is it my imagination or is there more room in here? Of course there is.. No Audiovox CCS-100 cruise control up front of the water bar. And the PAIR will soon be history. Also, no ignition coils in upper right corner which is out of view. New coils are over plugs.

Ok then, the triple trees need to come out. Tapered roller Timken bearings to replace stupid ball bearings. This bike has SERIOUS head shake. 

Which brings me to a new topic. Why does the factory so over-torque fastenars? The two 8 mm headed bolts attaching the brake lines to the lower clamp must have been at 40-50 lb/ft break-away torque. Seriously, I had to get after it with a box end wrench *with extension* to break them free. No, no locktight. Carbon steel bolt into alumunium holding a non-critical bracket. 

What a dream it is to have a lift. I remembered back to 2007 or so when I was working on my back on the shop floor and hating life for 5 days afterward. 
This pix shows the plastic air dam thingieamajiggie.

Because digital pix cost nothing. Hose alignment left and right.

Now to the topside. Upper triple clamp removal. Lots of rags to protect paint. Screwdriver to show washer on top.

First view of ignition switch and tamper switch screws. I did not have the glory of removing them on KrZy8, the 2006 FJR, due to a factory recall of the switch. Some other poor smuck did. I was baffled, and called Ray Slocomb and EscapeArtist. Both said the same thing as George Bush, Drill Baby, Drill!

Researched FjrForum.com and even though Brodie said he drilled the tamper proof bolts out while holding parts in his lap! I'm not that talented and per EscapeArtist's recommendation disconnected the leads and removed the upper clamp for drill press action.

Stock upper clamp.

The plastic switch ring will not be re-used on the HeliBar clamp.

I'm not perfect. Missed the center by thaaaat much. No real harm, no foul. It will work in the new clamp.

Copper anti-sieze used everywhere.

HeliBar, old style. I don't like the new HeliBar, and good bud Fairlaner sold me his off his old FJR. Copper anti-seize to prevent thread galling and corrosion.

Stock versus new-old part. This model HeliBar no longer available. 

As-Found condition. Is this correct? Top nut separated by ~3mm from lower bolt?

Pic for later so I know how it goes back together.

A 'JustRoy' piece of art under the socket..

Ugly and stupid ball bearings on the steering stem. Why do manufacturers still use ball bearings on modern bikes? Like KrZy8, Naomi has SERIOUS head shake when decelerating from about 50 to 35 or so when hands off bars. I know many pundits on the fjrforum have stated 'Don't do that'. But that's BS. Since putting tapered rollers on KrZy8 over 180k miles ago, no headshake ever. EVER. Worn tires, different brands, running the arrows backwards... 

Steering head lower triple clamp.

Stock races. The bottom drove out pretty easy using hammer and drift punch. But the upper one.. I was getting tired, and my drift wasn't long enough to allow a good smack from the hammer while laying upside down so I said fook it and quit for the day.

And then I discovered this! I  bought it after struggling with KrZy8's conversion..

And that's where it sits as I type this the day after.. You can see how the fingers will pull down, expand against the race, then stay in place while the hammer does it's thing. But for the day, light is fading, tools need be cleaned and put away, the doggies pool needs be drained (she's a LAB!) and thoughts about work now take top priority.

The rest of the gang says what the fook?

Of all the bikes.. The HD still is my main gurl. Just look at how sexy she is. And she always starts and is ready to run. 

So long for now.. to be continued....