Big red 250es steering stem races?

[matt22895]

How do i remove the steering stem race from my big red. I have a all balls kit and need to put the new races in. Thanks

[andersonee4]

a drift and a BFH. Hit it with all you got. it will either fall out, or break in half and fall out.

[MRSOUND]

Here's the thread I started last year for putting new steering head bearings in my 86 BR. May answer some of your questions.

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/133410-BR-fork-stem-bearings

[matt22895]

Thanks i appriciate it and i resent the pm.

[matt22895]

Can some one please explain to me what a drift is?

[MRSOUND]

"my" definition of drift comes from my machine shop background which is - a tapered piece of steel with a tang on the end to hit with a hammer. Mainly used to remove chucks from machinery. Basically you need something solid (steel) that is longer than and smaller in diameter than the steering head to hit on the inside edge of the old races. I hit on one side then the other to try and tap it out evenly as you don't want booger up where the new races need to seat. Don't know if this helps or not. Tried to find a pic on Google and all they showed were cars:rolleyes:

[Mondexbrute]

You just have to beat the trailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro outta them! It pretty much sucks LOL!

[dougspcs]

Can some one please explain to me what a drift is?

'Mrsound' likes to use alot of words for a simple answer..a drift is also known as a punch!!

[matt22895]

Well i got it back together it already had an all balls kit but i broke the bottom bearing when i had the front apart to grease again so i ended up just leaving the old races in as they were not damaged or worn.

[yamaha driver]

good deal. saves time

[MRSOUND]

'Mrsound' likes to use alot of words for a simple answer..a drift is also known as a punch!!

I beg to differ Doug...there is a difference between a drift and punch, but on the other hand I did ramble on...:D
either will work

[andersonee4]

You used an old race and a new bearing? or did you just reuse the bottom bearing as well?

[El Camexican]

Well i got it back together it already had an all balls kit but i broke the bottom bearing when i had the front apart to grease again so i ended up just leaving the old races in as they were not damaged or worn.

NOTE TO ALL: Don't ever do this with wheel bearings on your car or truck. I did it once (new bearing in an old race) and lost a wheel at 50MPH. I'm not recommending anyone do it on a steering head, but unless you are jumping your BR off 50ft cliffs you should be fine.

[El Camexican]

I beg to differ Doug...there is a difference between a drift and punch, but on the other hand I did ramble on...:D
either will work

My drifts are blunt (some have a taper and some are just round steel bars) and my punches are pointed. I think it comes down more to what you use them for than what they look like. i.e. anything placed beween a hammer and another object and struck is acting as a drift.:beer

[MRSOUND]

Well put El Camexican! I guess it was just the old machinist in me coming out from yrs ago.:rolleyes:

[andersonee4]

Wikipedia (take it as it is, internet can be very false)

["In metalworking, a drift pin, drift pin punch, or simply drift, is the name for a tool used for ... ... aligning holes prior to bolting or riveting metal parts together. A drift pin is not used as a punch in the traditional sense of the term. A drift pin is used as an aid in aligning bolt or rivet holes prior to inserting a fastener. A drift punch is constructed as a tapered rod, with the hammer acting on the large end of the taper. The tapered end of a drift punch is placed into the semi-aligned bolt holes of two separate components, and then driven into the hole. As it is driven in, the taper forces the two components into alignment, allowing for easy insertion of the fastener. Unlike most punches, force should never be applied to the tip of drift pin."]

["A punch is a hard metal rod with a shaped tip at one end and a blunt butt end at the other, which is usually struck by a hammer. Punches are used to drive objects, such as nails, or to form an impression of the tip on a workpiece. Decorative punches may also be used to create a pattern or even form an image"]

Sooo, i was wrong in using the term drift.

That being said... Thinking about it, you do see letter punches, nail sets, number punches, leather punches, center punches, etc.

[El Camexican]

Wikipedia (take it as it is, internet can be very false)

["In metalworking, a drift pin, drift pin punch, or simply drift, is the name for a tool used for ... ... aligning holes prior to bolting or riveting metal parts together. A drift pin is not used as a punch in the traditional sense of the term. A drift pin is used as an aid in aligning bolt or rivet holes prior to inserting a fastener. A drift punch is constructed as a tapered rod, with the hammer acting on the large end of the taper. The tapered end of a drift punch is placed into the semi-aligned bolt holes of two separate components, and then driven into the hole. As it is driven in, the taper forces the two components into alignment, allowing for easy insertion of the fastener. Unlike most punches, force should never be applied to the tip of drift pin."]

["A punch is a hard metal rod with a shaped tip at one end and a blunt butt end at the other, which is usually struck by a hammer. Punches are used to drive objects, such as nails, or to form an impression of the tip on a workpiece. Decorative punches may also be used to create a pattern or even form an image"]

Sooo, i was wrong in using the term drift.

That being said... Thinking about it, you do see letter punches, nail sets, number punches, leather punches, center punches, etc.

Interesting… makes me wonder about the time I was talking this girl up and her boyfriend came over and "drifted" me (or so I thought at the time). According to the Wikipedia definition that blow should have lined my bolt up with her hole... if you get my "drift" ;) but it ended up misaligning things (mostly my jaw):cry: so I guess it was more of a "punch". You learn something every day.:beer