Head stock bearings - SV650.org

09-03-06, 12:33 PM

Hi guys, need some advice......

On the way to work this morning I noticed a knocking from the front end of the bike under braking and over potholes. I though that it may be the forks but I checked them...not bottoming-out and no oil leaks (previous owner had the forks resprung just before I bought it two weeks ago).....so I think that the head stock bearings have gone. Is it a big job to get these replaced? Does anyone know of any good garages in London that could do this without ripping me off?

Cheers,

Paul

rictus01 · 09-03-06, 12:45 PM

Head bearings are about £30 a set, being a naked, shouldn't take more than an hour or so.

Only one potential problem area, getting the bottom bearing ring off the stem, you can either use heat & a drift to move it, or like me a cutting disk on an angle grinder ( but be careful you don't damage the bottom yoke surface.

Cheersa Mark.

09-03-06, 04:58 PM

You tried adjusting them??

09-03-06, 05:28 PM

Plenty of other things go clonk at the front end. Mine clonks for England despite new taper rollers recently.

09-03-06, 07:30 PM

If it has had recent work done on the front end ie the forks resprung 2 weeks ago i would check and make sure everything that was disturbed whilst that work was carried out is still ok.

Chances are something could have been over looked or loosened itself in those 2 weeks if it had been disturbed before. Defo check everything rather then assuming head bearings it may well be a simple tightening something up fix that will save you the cost of having/getting new head bearings fitted.

or it may just be the headbearings

10-03-06, 02:23 AM

If the bearings are loose the bike will handle very poorly. It will tramline and feel like it's got a rubber frame.
If it's clunking over potholes but still handles fine then it's just the normal sv clunk

10-03-06, 09:23 AM

I recently changed from 15w back to 10w and now the forks clunk occasionally over bumps etc. However as I know it's only hydraulic lock and nothing's being damaged I'm really not bothered - as the difference in the way the front suspension handles is so vastly improved by fresh 10w oil that I'm more than happy.

.

10-03-06, 09:28 AM

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll check the bike over like you suggested and take it from there. I'll be in Soho tonight at around 7 so I'll ask the chaps who turn up for an opinion.

jambo · 10-03-06, 11:16 AM

Brilliant, see you there! (If you want to ride a bike with truely shot head races for comparision, I'll have the Kwak along with me

)

09-03-06, 12:33 PM	#1
Davies Guest Posts: n/a	Head stock bearings Hi guys, need some advice...... On the way to work this morning I noticed a knocking from the front end of the bike under braking and over potholes. I though that it may be the forks but I checked them...not bottoming-out and no oil leaks (previous owner had the forks resprung just before I bought it two weeks ago).....so I think that the head stock bearings have gone. Is it a big job to get these replaced? Does anyone know of any good garages in London that could do this without ripping me off? Cheers, Paul

09-03-06, 12:45 PM	#2
rictus01 Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: South London Posts: 9,799	Head bearings are about £30 a set, being a naked, shouldn't take more than an hour or so. Only one potential problem area, getting the bottom bearing ring off the stem, you can either use heat & a drift to move it, or like me a cutting disk on an angle grinder ( but be careful you don't damage the bottom yoke surface. Cheersa Mark. __________________ Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow! What a Ride!

10-03-06, 11:16 AM	#9
jambo Member Mega Poster Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Croydonia Posts: 5,376	Brilliant, see you there! (If you want to ride a bike with truely shot head races for comparision, I'll have the Kwak along with me ) __________________ Modern motorcycles are bloody brilliant, enjoy it while we can

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09-03-06, 04:58 PM	#3
John Burt Guest Posts: n/a	You tried adjusting them??

09-03-06, 05:28 PM	#4
chazzyb Guest Posts: n/a	Plenty of other things go clonk at the front end. Mine clonks for England despite new taper rollers recently.

09-03-06, 07:30 PM	#5
ianofbhills Guest Posts: n/a	If it has had recent work done on the front end ie the forks resprung 2 weeks ago i would check and make sure everything that was disturbed whilst that work was carried out is still ok. Chances are something could have been over looked or loosened itself in those 2 weeks if it had been disturbed before. Defo check everything rather then assuming head bearings it may well be a simple tightening something up fix that will save you the cost of having/getting new head bearings fitted. or it may just be the headbearings

10-03-06, 02:23 AM	#6
Graham Guest Posts: n/a	If the bearings are loose the bike will handle very poorly. It will tramline and feel like it's got a rubber frame. If it's clunking over potholes but still handles fine then it's just the normal sv clunk

10-03-06, 09:23 AM	#7
jonboy Guest Posts: n/a	I recently changed from 15w back to 10w and now the forks clunk occasionally over bumps etc. However as I know it's only hydraulic lock and nothing's being damaged I'm really not bothered - as the difference in the way the front suspension handles is so vastly improved by fresh 10w oil that I'm more than happy. .

10-03-06, 09:28 AM	#8
Davies Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks for the advice guys, I'll check the bike over like you suggested and take it from there. I'll be in Soho tonight at around 7 so I'll ask the chaps who turn up for an opinion.