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Steering bearings
Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2025 1:36 pm
by A_morti
Where do you get yours?
If you want OEM type seals, AllBalls comes with that. Also Pyramid parts. But they also come with unbranded bearings.
Considering the bearings are relatively cheap compared to the amount of ball ache involved in propping up a bike without a centre stand, I'd rather fit good quality SKF/FAG/etc bearings.
I guess if you want good bearings and OEM type seals, you'll be buying the bearings at a factor and the seals at the OEM?
Re: Steering bearings
Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2025 1:41 pm
by mangocrazy
I tried to get some Koyo taper roller bearings for the LC's head races but could only find All Balls, which I (slightly reluctantly) bought. As you say, the only plus point is that they do include the dust seals.
Re: Steering bearings
Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2025 2:12 pm
by JackyJoll
Mine appear to carry no real brand, bought from some sort of factor on Amazon.
It’s a funny application for a bearing: no proper rotation, but a bit of hammering in one position.
Re: Steering bearings
Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2025 5:39 pm
by A_morti
JackyJoll wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2025 2:12 pm
It’s a funny application for a bearing: no proper rotation, but a bit of hammering in one position.
Indeed, and so while tolerances probably don't matter as much, having the correct hardening is going to matter a lot.
I've noticed Pyramid Parts mention the bearings being from NTN. It's not the top brand, but generally if the maker is proud enough of the quality to put their name on it, it'll be better than the ones made down the road without a maker name on them.
Re: Steering bearings
Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2025 6:10 pm
by mangocrazy
NTN are OE bearing suppliers to Honda, so that should be a good recommendation.
Re: Steering bearings
Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2025 6:14 pm
by JackyJoll
I would spend good money to get the best possible crankshaft main bearings (Take my money!), but I’m more sanguine about the steering head. Doesn’t scare me and easy enough to fix again.
Re: Steering bearings
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 6:32 pm
by A_morti
mangocrazy wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2025 6:10 pm
NTN are OE bearing suppliers to Honda, so that should be a good recommendation.
Well I never knew that. Thank you, top tip!
JackyJoll wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2025 6:14 pm
I would spend good money to get the best possible crankshaft main bearings (Take my money!), but I’m more sanguine about the steering head. Doesn’t scare me and easy enough to fix again.
The trouble is, the CBR250 doesn't have a centre stand, nor a frame cradle under the engine, nor is she even a flat-bottomed girl.
Combine that with the misery of trying to remove a lower race, and I'd rather do the job just once!
I might even buy myself (a copy of) this fancy tool.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008234612463.html
It's not something you'll use often, but it looks like it could save a significant amount of misery each time you do use it, plus you entirely remove the risk of marring the yoke while drifting against it.
Although, I'm not sure what the grub screws are meant to bite on to remove the OEM race, which doesn't have that lip at the top.
Re: Steering bearings
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 7:08 pm
by Felix
Bloody hell. That is £180 on ebay. A lot better than the old hammer and chisel i used the last time i did one.
Re: Steering bearings
Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2025 6:14 am
by Bwana
A_morti wrote: Tue Jan 07, 2025 6:32 pm
mangocrazy wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2025 6:10 pm
NTN are OE bearing suppliers to Honda, so that should be a good recommendation.
Well I never knew that. Thank you, top tip!
JackyJoll wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2025 6:14 pm
I would spend good money to get the best possible crankshaft main bearings (Take my money!), but I’m more sanguine about the steering head. Doesn’t scare me and easy enough to fix again.
The trouble is, the CBR250 doesn't have a centre stand, nor a frame cradle under the engine, nor is she even a flat-bottomed girl.
Combine that with the misery of trying to remove a lower race, and I'd rather do the job just once!
I might even buy myself (a copy of) this fancy tool.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008234612463.html
It's not something you'll use often, but it looks like it could save a significant amount of misery each time you do use it, plus you entirely remove the risk of marring the yoke while drifting against it.
Although, I'm not sure what the grub screws are meant to bite on to remove the OEM race, which doesn't have that lip at the top.
Have you looked for something similar to [
https://www.motea-shop.com/en_us/centra ... pIEALw_wcB]this[/url] that'll work for a 250?
Re: Steering bearings
Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2025 9:45 am
by Skub
Pity they didn't have a tool to remove the bearing cup from the lower steering head tube. That's the real bastard on most bikes.
Re: Steering bearings
Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2025 9:49 am
by Skub
A_morti wrote: Tue Jan 07, 2025 6:32 pm
Although, I'm not sure what the grub screws are meant to bite on to remove the OEM race, which doesn't have that lip at the top.
I can't see the tool working if the lip isn't present.
Re: Steering bearings
Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2025 10:57 am
by mangocrazy
Skub wrote: Thu Jan 23, 2025 9:45 am
Pity they didn't have a tool to remove the bearing cup from the lower steering head tube. That's the real bastard on most bikes.
I'm currently girding my loins (ahem) to start on the lower head bearing race on the LC. I did the top one yesterday, doing the old 'run a bead of weld round the race' trick and once it had cooled down I removed it easily with a pair of pliers. If you (or a mate) have a welder then the hardest part is getting space under the headstock. And covering up everything flammable in a two meter radius around you.
Re: Steering bearings
Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2025 11:42 am
by mangocrazy
A_morti wrote: Tue Jan 07, 2025 6:32 pm
The trouble is, the CBR250 doesn't have a centre stand, nor a frame cradle under the engine, nor is she even a flat-bottomed girl.
Combine that with the misery of trying to remove a lower race, and I'd rather do the job just once!
Unless you can beg, borrow or steal an Abba Skylift, then the only other option open to most folk would be to suspend the front end from an overhead beam or rafter on a block and tackle, so you can winch it up. But you'd need to secure the rear of the bike so it can't tip over sideways - perhaps on a paddock stand?