Head Race bearings

[Stu]

If I jack up the front of my bike it turns left to right as smooth as you like. But with the front wheel on the ground it feels like it self centres at the dead ahead, both while stationary or riding slowly up to 50mph.

So is it worth replacing the bearings under the top yoke nut?

ZX6R 1998 26,000miles running non std size tyres 120/70 Pirelli Corsa, should be 120/60, but I can't believe a tyre will make that much of a difference

I can use TSM's bearing thread http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=110323
to obtain them as it looks fairly straightforward to replace them (wouldn't be so sure about wheel bearings though :( )

[Sid Squid]

Yes, they're bu**ered. Anything other than complete smoothness will affect handling.

When you jack it up the weight of the front end means the upper bearing takes the load, as that's the one that wears the least the steering will probably be fine. With the wheel on the floor and thus the weight of the bike on the lower bearing any notching will be apparent.

PS. I assume this means your text the other day assuring me the chassis bearings are all fine was cobblers.

[Stu]

Can't I just turn them round, so the notch is somewhere else than the dead ahead?

[admin]

Noooo! Replace the bearings top and bottom. When the bearings get really bad it give the same sensation cornering with a flat rear tyre. Not nice.

[Stu]

:smt117

;)
Already ordered from http://bikebearings.co.uk/ simply bearings were a little more expensive