headraces need doing
 

just noticed mine are shot so where would be the best place to go, do i get genuines or tapers and how much am i looking at for it to be done?

Re: headraces need doing
 

I went for japanese tapers on my sv they weren't too expensive probably cheaper than an oem suzi kit. £15ish IIRC

Cost of labour depends on the mechanic and what bike it is I guess.

Re: headraces need doing
 

Or do it your self?

Re: headraces need doing
 

doing them myself is not an option i dont have the tools or a way of holding up the front end plus if i under/over adjust them itll be my fault and its a rather important thing to get right thats why this thread is asking about having them done not me asking how to do them.

Re: headraces need doing
 

Oh well, phone round the garages where you are how much its going to cost for the labour will depend on the garage, the bits shouldnt cost to much though.

Re: headraces need doing
 

Good afternoon.

Assuming you have an SV. Genuine caged ball type bearings are a little expensive, & will cost around the £50 mark including a new bottom seal.
Top quality taper roller bearings such as Koyo should cost around the £30 mark, & you can get a bottom bearing with a built in seal.
Tapers will last longer, but slow down the steering slightly, due to having a larger contact area, but I doubt that you'll notice.

I normally charge a minimum of 2 hours for a steering bearing change. It can be more if the bike spits its dummy out, & doesn't play ball when coming apart.


Cheers.


P.S. I'm the best place to go! :-)

Re: headraces need doing
 

cheers dude had a call to my local shop and its 75 for the bearing and seals so looks like itll cost around the 150 mark.

how hard is it to fit and adjust tapers as i could go see a mate who has the tools.

Re: headraces need doing
 

Good afternoon.


That sounds a little steep! What bike have you got?

Stripping the bike is pretty straightforward, once you have the front wheel securely off the ground. However, removing the bearing cups from the frame, installing the new ones, & particularly removing the bearing from the steering stem are areas where people can do some serious damage to the frame without the knowhow, or the correct tools.


Cheers.

Re: headraces need doing
 

I'd second spanner man if he's anywhere near you, I had koyo tapered bearings fitted to mine didn't notice slower steering (however I had wiide bars), price you've been quoted sounds extortionate.

Re: headraces need doing
 

thats the price i got from metropalise vauxhal sure is pricey but then again i dont want to do harm to my frame and as ive never done this job before ill leave it to someone who knows how to do it. spannerman how much would you charge all in.

Re: headraces need doing
 

Good afternoon all.


As I said assuming it's an SV you have it should take 2 hours if all goes well. that's £82.80 inc VAT at my piffling forumfriendly labour rate of £36 + VAT
Plus the bearings which are £30 inc if you go for the taper option.

It can be done while you wait, you'll get tea & coffee, & get dirty too:grin:


Cheers.

Re: headraces need doing
 

I know personally I'd leave it to someone else too :p It can be an **** I enlisted the help of a mate to do mine, he had a special tool for doing it too :)

Re: headraces need doing
 

Balham to Sunbury is only 15 miles so go and see Spanner Man. Just don't mention the word lube out loud in the shop if Bill is near enough to hear you and be prepared to laugh a lot!

Re: headraces need doing
 

By Gadd Sir Trev, are you implying that we have a tendency to indulge in a little smut & innuendo within the walls of my fine establishment?.......

Well, it beats being too serious eh:D


Cheers.

Re: headraces need doing
 

I second this observation

:lol:


Widget - for peace of mind, a fun-packed couple of hours and lots of tea, take your bike to spannerman there if its not a job you are confident to do yourself / cant do yourself / have to pay someone to do anyway. I rest easy safe in the knowledge Stewart and Bill have had their wicked way with my bikes front end and rear end.

harharhar

Seriously, they do a top job

Re: headraces need doing
 

Don't you start dropping innuendos all over ther place!:D

Re: headraces need doing
 

meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEeeeee ee?

Re: headraces need doing
 

Having been to visit L'Homme De Spanneur today myself, I can also vouch for them giving, sorry doing, a top job.

And indeed- no comment can escape a smutty response.

I'll pop a thread up shortly detailing their fine exploits in honour of my lovely bike once i've down (and up) loaded the pic-chewers.