Hi Everyone
I took my zx14 for its yearly safety check(mot over here) To check the head bearings they pulled the bike over onto the side stand to lift the front wheel up, cant see that its strong enough what do you think?

Dave

"cant see that its strong enough what do you think?"...did it break?

Yes it's strong enough. They checked for a knock. By braking hard you can hear a snap/knock/tink kind of loose steering head.

Sure as long as it's the OEM one, that is fine. That sucker is steel.

Maintenance wise the steering bearings should be packed every 8k give or take a few miles.

I've packed my 2008, 2013, and now my 2017 [a few days ago]. The '08/13 had a dust boot that was made out of plastic, plus the lock nut to hold it down is different than the '017. The 17's dust boot is now an updated rubber seal that has an interference fit like any seal to hold itself in place. Therefore, you can distort the seal to remove the top race, but cannot remove and clean the bearing cage without removing the seal.

Since the seal does a better job to keep the steering system clean, I left the seal in place and packed the bearing cage still in the neck. Upon inspection of the race's faces, I did not notice the ball pounding marks shadow the indents as they did the '08/13. However, my assumption was that I would also find those shadow pings on the '017. Now that I remember both early bikes began to knock before their first service, the '017 never peeped a bang [needing a required 18ftlb torque of the first lock ring]. I would have to conclude that one would have to address the knock the moment it is noticed; to save the races from those divot knocks.

Signed,
NOLTT

I really need to do mine (just turned 9K) and change the fork you oil too. I copied a write up you did a long time ago - so thank you in advance Hubster!

Hub - Keeping America Great

I've never done mine and I'm at 50k. Perhaps this summer.

Pretty good chance your bearings are shit and will need to be replaced, repack and adjust helps to keep them alive longer but even then bearings have a finite life

Replace the bearings!! The best thing I could do is leave it alone or else it will be weeks I can't ride the bike again. It still feels just fine and seems to turn freely when I do the steering play test. No sir, replacing bearings is a winter job I don't have time for right now. I'll plan on doing it in the future though.

* Last updated by: Rook on 2/2/2019 @ 2:48 PM *