How to: Tapered headset bearings

[TravEX]

I have searched for info on this and have not found much. So, at my expense of 2 sets of these bearings, I tackled it and will share the procedure for completing the task.
This is on my 85 Big Red, but would apply to many others. The bearing is the tapered bearing kit from All Balls, it comes with 2 bearings, 2 races, 2 sealing washers, and a spacer washer (it's placement is critical to the bearings working right.)
First, of course, is to remove the triple from the trike and knock out the old races out of the frame.

The new races will go in with the small ends pointing at each other. The bottom one will have to be driven into the frame. The top one goes in much easier.
Top:

Bottom:


Next is to drive the bottom bearing piece off of the triple stem, it is pictured with the screwdriver pointing at it.


It will look like this when you get done. Trust me it DOES come off, PITA though, hehe.


Next is to grease the new bearings and place the bottom bearing on the stem. THIS IS WHERE I MESSED UP! The washer that comes with the kit goes ON THE BOTTOM FIRST! hehe. Place the washer on, then the sealing washer, then the bearing with the tapered end pointing up. You will have to drive the bearing on. Use a piece of pipe or something to drive the inner part of the race down. Here is a pic of what I did. I forgot the washer underneath the bearing, so now I have to buy another set because the bearing will be destroyed when I try to take it off.


Install the top bearing in the frame with the tapered end down and the sealing washer on top of it, like so.


Now you are ready to put the triple back on the frame, tighten the nut down, and put the trike back together again.




The hardest thing of the job is getting the old bearing part off of the triple stem base. It took me about 20 minutes of prying and banging and cussing, but it came off!

This is how I did it, it may not be 100% correct, but it's my attempt to help others learn from my mistakes!

Later,

Travis

[Solid Snake]

Awesome thread man, I bookmarked this for when this gets done to our trikes. Thanks for the info and pics.

[84honda200s]

man thanks i was wondering how to do this. now i might actually but the kit.

[BigReds Forever]

I wonder if you were real carful if you could split that old bearing piece of the tripple clamp with a air and chissle? Ive taken other bearing off like this, crack them in two and pick up the pieces!

[TravEX]

I bet you could, and it sure would be worth a try!

[TravEX]

Ok, after ruining the bottom bearing to remove and ordering a new set, here is the correct way to put the bottom bearing on.



So, the order from top to bottom is:

Stem nut
sealing washer
top bearing (taper down)
top race

bottom race
bottom bearing (taper up)
sealing washer
washer (included in bearing set, I used 2 and it worked ok)

That's it!!! It feels like butter now, and no slack anymore.

Not too big of a job, but a pain to figure out.

Travis

[Dammit!]

I'm doing this to three of my trikes probably this weekend (250sx, 200x and 70). I hadn't really thought about it, assuming it would be pretty self explanatory but I probably would have screwed one of them up before getting it right. Thanks for screwing up before I could.

[chris200x]

Are those bottom bearings pressed on? I'm having a heck of a time getting them off to change them out. This is a tri z if that matters at all.

[Dirtcrasher]

What pisses me off is that the manufacturer doesn't give a simply blowup picture of the proper installation order?? I'd be calling them up and bitching for a free lowerer bearing, thats simply not fair to the consumer.

[TravEX]

Chris, yeah the bottom bearing has to be pressed on, I had to beat this on, carefully. And eyeball and measure how deep the lower race is in the frame to make sure that the washer will be enough spacing. I shoulda just used 1 washer, but when I eyeballed it, it looked like it needed more space.

, good luck with the 3 sets.

Dirtcrasher, you're right, a simple diaghram would be helpful, hehe.

Oh well, I have a new upper bearing and upper and lower races if anyone needs em.

[IrvSLedman]

yeah.. i had to do some of those.. the bottom bearing must be pounded on.. i just cut my old set off.. caution!! lol if you cut it off dont cut the stem, you'll be screwed.

[82300R]

when i changed to the same kind of bearings in my old 81 r, i got the one on the stem all the way down to the stock race before i realized that it had to come off. carefully got the new bearings back off, then the fun part of getting the old race off the stem. it did test my patience. but it all worked. some basic instructions with the bearings would have helped alot.

[Dammit!]

Well I already screwed up and I haven't even gotten as far as putting the new set on. I couldn't get the stupid lower race off so I took the dremel to it and ended up cutting a nice little groove in the steering stem about 2mm deep and 1 centimeter long. I hate those little bastards.

[chris200x]

Well I already screwed up and I haven't even gotten as far as putting the new set on. I couldn't get the stupid lower race off so I took the dremel to it and ended up cutting a nice little groove in the steering stem about 2mm deep and 1 centimeter long. I hate those little bastards.

lol... I just saved myself the headache and dropped the trips along with the new bearings off at the local guy.. Only a couple bucks so it was well worth it.

[edog]

I'm doing this to three of my trikes probably this weekend (250sx, 200x and 70). I hadn't really thought about it, assuming it would be pretty self explanatory but I probably would have screwed one of them up before getting it right. Thanks for screwing up before I could.

It's funny you say that.
My Moto is...


A smart person learns from his own mistakes,but a genius learn's from others.