Stearing System

[Mike Curci]

Need guidance regarding rebuilding the steering on my 1976 CB 750.  My manual glosses over key points.
Was also looking for sealed bearings rather than the uncaged balls the manual recommends.  There should be a set and drilling the stem for zerk fittings to eliminate this problem.

[TOOLS1]

Get yourself a set of All balls racing tapered roller bearings. Cycle-X has them at a reasonable price. Also if, you look in the build section, for "My buddies POW/MIA bike" I have some info there on how to install the kit. The idea of taping, for a grease zerk sounds good, but the way the head is mounted, you would fill the entire frame with grease.
TOOLS

[Mike Curci]

TOOLS1

GREAT help, I cannot thank you enough.  I have been all over looking for these bearings only to be told by bearing companies "they don't make them!"  I said BS, I have them in my hand!

Do I insert the races using standard drivers, or as long as I get them to the specs you pointed out in your build section?

Again,  Great help......

Mike

[TOOLS1]

I just use a piece of 2X4 to start them in, then I use a large socket to drive the bottom one home. On the bottom bearing I use a piece of pipe that fits over the stem to drive it down. Be sure to put the spacer then the seal before the bearing.
TOOLS

[Mike Curci]

Again, great advise.  I enjoyed your build section too!  What a great project.  Thanks again,
Mike

PS
I'll let you know how it turns out.

[Honda Dog]

Mine went for 30,000 miles before I had to take it apart and then it just needed to be cleaned and greased. I do inspect regularly for play and adjust as needed.

[Mike Curci]

I got the bearings in today and the upper fits exactly over the steering stem, however, the bottom bearing appears to be a pressed fit.  My question is in the installation:
Do I just install the spacer and seal then the bearing?  The instructions would have you measure tolerances from the old bearings/races.  My old (lower) race was damaged (tack weld) applied to remove it.

Again,  any help guidance is appreciated.

Mike

[TOOLS1]

Most will not need any spacers, but if, you put one of them on it will not hurt anything. I used the thin one on the Toolmatic when I did it, and it has plenty of clearance. To install the bottom bearing just get a piece of pipe that just fits over the stem, and drive it down. I too my triple tree into my local True Value hardware store, and they cut me a piece of pipe, for $2.00. I keep it in the tool box now.
TOOLS