Bike handling all over the place!

[USER=13687]@Mr Brown - Lifted the front end and slowly turned the steering to experience rough spots while turning. My experience says it should be absolutely smooth back and forth. The movement of the bars is slightly hesitant when turned.
I had changed wheel bearings earlier and The forks/seals are fine. Damper alright. No bald patches on tyres. No other changes made to the bike. Suspension set for my weight. Sprockets/chain all good.
 
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If you're gonna @ me, gotta use my screen name. Jeremy is my actual name.

If you're sure that's what it is, replace them. However, that's not a typical failing at your mileage. @WuzzaCBXRider has almost 3 times that on his, pretty sure they've never been changed.
 
My steering head bearings failed at 20K or so. I noticed a grainy feel when turning the bars. Changed them to tapered bearings, no complaints with those so far (about 20K on them). But frankly, I didn't notice handling issues with the bad bearings, just the notchy feel when turning bars at low speed.
 
fallenarch said:
My steering head bearings failed at 20K or so. I noticed a grainy feel when turning the bars. Changed them to tapered bearings, no complaints with those so far (about 20K on them). But frankly, I didn't notice handling issues with the bad bearings, just the notchy feel when turning bars at low speed.
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Ive experienced vague and wandering steering on my GSXR1100 i had, mine was notchy with a slight forwards and backwards movement when you grab the bottom of the forks pushing and pulling.
 
@fallenarch - Would you recommend anything else that I should replace or should check as a preventive measure since the entire front end is going to come off as it is.
 
I suppose the head bearings could’ve been too tight from the factory which might explain why they might now be bad at such low mileage. As Mr. Brown said, my 06 has the originals and nearing 70,000 miles they’re still working well. They should also (show) some inordinate wear when you remove them. Other than too short brake or clutch lines I can’t think of anything else since wheel bearings, tires etc are ok.
 
@WuzzaCBXRider I run braided lines and went through them yesterday and they looked alright with no stress points or tangle. I had compensated for any changes I made to the MC/calipers and went with an extra inch or so back when I swapped them.

Strangely, the bike ran fine before I opened to inspect the steering head bearings since I was doing a major service at 40,000 kms back in August.
Not to many Busas' at this mileage in my country since most get sold or crashed before they reach the 10000 miles mark.

Maybe opening to inspect the head bearings changed something. Dont know.
 
bigron said:
Every bike is ridden differently. At 40,000 kms I guess mine needed a change.
Going to work on it over the weekend and hopefully the ride is going to be what it used to be.
Will revert once I get this done.
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Agreed, but still parts have a service life. It's cool, I hope this solves the issue for ya. I just know that throwing parts at an undiagnosed issue is a great way to go broke.
 
@Mr Brown - What exactly is the undisclosed issue here, I could not comprehend.

I mentioned the symptoms. Probable causes were discussed. Process of elimation was used and the best possible diagnosis given the set parameters reached.
 
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bigron said:
@Mr Brown - What exactly is the undisclosed issue here, I could not comprehend.

I mentioned the symptoms. Probable causes were discussed. Process of elimation was used and the best possible diagnosis given the set parameters reached.
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Let us know how it all works out. I hope it cures your issue and gets your bike back on track..
 
bigron said:
@Mr Brown - What exactly is the undisclosed issue here, I could not comprehend.

I mentioned the symptoms. Probable causes were discussed. Process of elimation was used and the best possible diagnosis given the set parameters reached.
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The undisclosed issue? By definition, I can't know that. I made my comment based on what you said, which is that you think it's the steering head bearings. Personally, I like to know what an issue is, prior to buying parts to fix what I think is wrong.
Maybe it's just a wording misunderstanding.
 
My recent experience with head bearings, all pics of them can be found under a search with my user name. Short version; Mine were notchy and clicked when the front was lifted. Replaced with tapered bearings. Felt to tight after, it was. Was smooth but clicky after. Pulled off damper and retested. Clickey went away. Damper was source of noise.

Maybe this is your issue maybe not. Worth the 10 min to eliminate source.
 
bigron said:
@SSGT_B Thank you for the feedback. Will test and damper too.
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My friend Mr. Brown is a pretty helpful ude so I don't think he meant anything negative, that's more my style than his, Lol! Bearings are cheap so I would try it. Just be sure to get everything back together properly and use a torque wrench to tighten to specs. All you have to lose is a few bucks and some time.
 
fallenarch said:
My friend Mr. Brown is a pretty helpful ude so I don't think he meant anything negative, that's more my style than his, Lol! Bearings are cheap so I would try it. Just be sure to get everything back together properly and use a torque wrench to tighten to specs. All you have to lose is a few bucks and some time.
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No negativity felt my friend.
I should be able to work on it over the coming weekend and revert.
I do however feel stupid now to open and check the Steering head bearings as a preventive measure back in August when I was doing my major service.
Maybe I should have let them be but from what I read it suggested that at 40,000 kms an inspection is recommended.
Well, we ll see what comes out of it.
 
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Finally got around swapping the Steering head bearings and Reset the suspension .
The handling is back. It goes where I want it to go.
Its amazing how a miniscule wear and tear can completely alter the way a bike runs.
Going to go for a longish ride once the weather clears a bit ( mid 30's right now) and gauge if everything is in order. It feels a little different right now but nothing seems off.
 
yes ssgt !

this post
www.hayabusa.org

Steering Stem Locknut Removal Tool | General Bike Related Topics

As I seem to be search incompetent today, have had no pie...lol. How are y’all getting this lockout removed? I’ve tried the screwdriver and brass punch method to no avail. Hoping to order some head bearings soon but stuck here. Thanks
www.hayabusa.org www.hayabusa.org
you quoted above shows the only correct "direction"

all japanese use those ball bearings for steering head - why? no clue

but these bearings are all rubbish - after some 40-50000 km they absolutely have to be replaced - as early as possible - not later than after ending guarantee

the only correct choice are tapered roller bearings - them you can loosen or tighten as necessary

adding to this i wanna say that (my abs. exp.) the bearings in wheels are rubbish too
only one sided metal covered - what a damn crap they use in japan
2RS bearings from SKF / INA / NTN / ... are here the only choice
this 2RS have both sided rubber seals.

i had a 2008or09 with 37300 km and bad / rosty bearings at front wheel / i replaced them
after some more 1400 km the owner came back to me with demaged bearings in the rear / i replaced them too to 2RS. (see item 1 & 2 below)

you want pics?
see following links to my (sorry german) homepage
1. 2008/09 front wheel at 37300km - Radlagerschäden
2. same 2008/09 rear drum at 38700km Radlagerschäden
3. 2008 rear wheel at around 90k KM Radlagerschäden

any more questions?

my hint (to all "bikers") is to change bearings as early as possible to 2RS in wheels

same hint to poststarter from india ;-)

should be the main solution for your prob.
 
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