Steering reluctant to turn

The stand is no problem as I've managed to design and contruct something similar to what you've got. Not as nice but practical and solid. I've done loads on bikes but as yet have never tackled this bearing thing yet. Always a first time I suppose. When you say that I'll need long pin punches do you think I could use thick wooden hardwood rods so as to minimise damage? Northwind, a friend from this here forum has suggested that I should freeze the components prior to removing/installing since the metal contracts somewhat and makes fitment or removal easier. I have a can of freeze which I use on electronic components at work which should do the trick nicely. The new bearings I'll put in the freezer prior installation. Any idea what type of greese best suits the bearings. Graphite greese comes to mind. Any suggestions?

I've scanned the net on he subject of replacing the stock roller bearings with tapered ones. The guys who work in bike shops suggest to fully tighten things with roller bearings and then going back half a turn. Thought I'd put as much info on the subject here in case there's some other guy who'd be doing this mod in the future.

Also found cheaper bearings on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Suzuki-SV650-S...QQcmdZViewItem

Damn!

Just finished replacing the head bearings on my SV yesterday. I wish I would have known about those roller bearings cos I bought standard ones from a dealer and they were over 70 quid including the bottom seal.

To tap the outer bearings from the frame was easy using a bar or chisel. There are a couple of cut outs so its easy to get on a good surface. The inner bearing on the steerer was a shocker as it took loads of tapping with a small chisel under the side to get it to move and the bottom seal is defo worth replacing as it got well mashed by the end.

Installation was easy as I put the inner steerer bearing in an oven for a bit and the steerer in the freezer and used a metal pipe to tap it on. The outer bearings in the frame I left in the freezer and tapped them in using a drift that I quickly machined up at work.

I used bearing grease that I had previously acquired to fit a new headset on my mountain bike, but in the Haynes manual it says that standard automotive grease will do.

The steering was really notchy before (only realised this when it failed its MOT) and now its lovely and smooth.

Originally Posted by zunkus

I have found these taper bearings:
http://www.gear4bikes.com/cgi-bin/sh...%23a7670#a7670
but they don't offer any information about their seating cups.

I am new to the SV world myself and this come as a complete shock and I'm quite disappointed that the they do not come with tapers

I have always dealt with Wemoto myself for pattern parts. Good bunch they are. The bearings they offer for a pointy 04/05 are:

http://shop.wemoto.com/pictures.dyn?u=5835675qqq25618

Originally Posted by toonyank

The bearings they offer for a pointy 04/05 are:

http://shop.wemoto.com/pictures.dyn?u=5835675qqq25618

Having said that, I'm not sure anyone said it was a pointy. Anyway they are probably the same for curvies as well. You can choose any bike on the website AND you get a nice Wemoto keyring with every order, I'm a wash with keyrings