I'm sure some of you have seen the several posts I've had about tearing down the front of my bike. I figure while it's all apart I should replace these bearings. They seem very firmly set (maybe pressed in?). I haven't tried really to beat them out anyway but was wondering if there is a special puller or trick to this? This is my first time playing with the steering head area. Also does anyone know a good place to buy (other than HD and I believe I saw ASB has them...). Just looking for all the options.
How to remove steering head bearings?
- Thread starter snrusnak
- Start date
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First thing is first, the parts....can someone confirm that this would be what I need:
parts
This is much cheaper than ASB ($56 plus shipping). It is under $30 shipped from all balls, and I forgot but I have heard good things about them from my father in law.
If anyone can give me a little more in depth explanation on changing them I'd appreciate it. I think I understand how to punch them out by what was posted above, I'm just not sure about putting the new ones in. I'd like to do this now as I'll likely never take the steering head apart again if not needed...
parts
This is much cheaper than ASB ($56 plus shipping). It is under $30 shipped from all balls, and I forgot but I have heard good things about them from my father in law.
If anyone can give me a little more in depth explanation on changing them I'd appreciate it. I think I understand how to punch them out by what was posted above, I'm just not sure about putting the new ones in. I'd like to do this now as I'll likely never take the steering head apart again if not needed...
Thanks for the tip, I actually just bought a rubber mallet to knock the lower triple tree loose so that'll work. I have heard great things about all balls, not that they are "cheap". Yes they cost less, but I'm just saying I've heard from my father in law and his friend (both very much into bikes and they even go race track days from time to time) that all balls sells very good products. I'd like more opinions on them...
And in my post above I should have said "it uses tapered ROLLER bearings, not ball bearings"
And in my post above I should have said "it uses tapered ROLLER bearings, not ball bearings"
No not yet. I haven't ridden since I made those posts. Once I reassemble the bike in about a month or so I'll be back to that. I know I'm all over the place but this was really more of a priority as the forks were leaking on the brake rotor for a year and the brake was basically ineffective. I figure it's now or never to powder coat and replace parts as necessary as I don't want to take it all apart again.
This will "complete" the front of the bike. Next I'm going to figure that AFV issue out, put in the K&N I bought, modify the muffler, get the headers jet hot coated, and some other little things here and there. The last "step" will be to powder coat the wheels and replace the wheel bearings (once I need new tires).
This will "complete" the front of the bike. Next I'm going to figure that AFV issue out, put in the K&N I bought, modify the muffler, get the headers jet hot coated, and some other little things here and there. The last "step" will be to powder coat the wheels and replace the wheel bearings (once I need new tires).
Yes pounding them out does work.?That is Supposed to be the easy part. Might want to Protect the areas needed, the Proper tools however makes it very easy to Remove OR Install. Buell/ Kent Moore- Part Number #B-45521-1 comes in a Two Piece Kit . The Bolting Kit is Very Expensive, I just use a nice piece of All Thread to pull it all back in Easily. Take your time with that I've seen some bad looking Frames due to Opps and so on. A Large Couple of Thick Flat Washers w/ all thread MAY help to ease the Bearings in Place when installing. Good Luck.*Jimi
Well I picked up the forks today from the guy who tore them apart, going to take them along with all the other parts to be coated next week. The fork tubes (shiny steel part) have some minor what looks like rust on the very bottom of them. I think I can use some polishing compound or something and get it off, or maybe wet sand with fine paper as a last resort. Worst case scenario I'll have to buy new ones (used set off ebay or something). I hope I don't have to....this is becoming expensive. I think it'll be ok (I sure hope so).
I'll be sure to make another thread about the AFV issue, I may even talk to the guy at this shop, he is really knowledgeable and helpful, although new to buell. I showed him ecmspy and he said we could probably tune it there. Just gotta see about the $$$.
I'll be sure to make another thread about the AFV issue, I may even talk to the guy at this shop, he is really knowledgeable and helpful, although new to buell. I showed him ecmspy and he said we could probably tune it there. Just gotta see about the $$$.
DirtyDutch
Member
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2012
- Messages
- 11
Hello,
I have a Ulysses 2006
I was interested in the fact that you want to use All Balls Racing steeringhead bearings. I don't want to use the OEM HD bearings, because Tapered Roller Bearings are better.
But i've been reading on multiple Buell/HD forums that OEM Steeringhead Bearings are the only one made for the XB models. I have a Ulysses also.
My question is: Can i Buy the Steeringhead bearings from http://www.allballsracing.com/22-1032.html and will it fit??? As far as i read the application description it will fit. But just want to make sure.
Because i also have a Buell X1 and replaced the steeringhead bearings a while ago with SKF Bearings. And i see that SKF doesn't make them for the XB and in the application description the same kit will fit an Buell x1 also?????
Am i crazy or what? Sorry for my bad English.
Greetings from Holland.
I have a Ulysses 2006
I was interested in the fact that you want to use All Balls Racing steeringhead bearings. I don't want to use the OEM HD bearings, because Tapered Roller Bearings are better.
But i've been reading on multiple Buell/HD forums that OEM Steeringhead Bearings are the only one made for the XB models. I have a Ulysses also.
My question is: Can i Buy the Steeringhead bearings from http://www.allballsracing.com/22-1032.html and will it fit??? As far as i read the application description it will fit. But just want to make sure.
Because i also have a Buell X1 and replaced the steeringhead bearings a while ago with SKF Bearings. And i see that SKF doesn't make them for the XB and in the application description the same kit will fit an Buell x1 also?????
Am i crazy or what? Sorry for my bad English.
Greetings from Holland.
Your English seems good to me 
I have received the bearings from all balls, but haven't installed them yet. If I get time tonight maybe I'll do it, but it will probably not be for a few more days at least. I'll let you know though if they fit, they should (I hope so).
I have received the bearings from all balls, but haven't installed them yet. If I get time tonight maybe I'll do it, but it will probably not be for a few more days at least. I'll let you know though if they fit, they should (I hope so).
DirtyDutch
Member
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2012
- Messages
- 11
Thanks. I will check this topic frequently for the result. Have fun with the installation and i hope they fit.
I've send an e-mail to All Balls racing and the answer was:
I have just started listing this kit for the Buell models. Previously we just listed the kit for HD models. I don’t have that much experience with this kit being fitted into Buell models. What I can tell you is our bearing are exactly the same ID OD and width as the stock ball bearings. I don’t think you will need to source any other components, if something does not work out with my kit let me know and I will stand behind my product.
[smirk] DD
I've send an e-mail to All Balls racing and the answer was:
I have just started listing this kit for the Buell models. Previously we just listed the kit for HD models. I don’t have that much experience with this kit being fitted into Buell models. What I can tell you is our bearing are exactly the same ID OD and width as the stock ball bearings. I don’t think you will need to source any other components, if something does not work out with my kit let me know and I will stand behind my product.
[smirk] DD
I got the old bearings out, it was very easy. I used a long flathead screwdriver and hammer like suggested, and worked the bottom bearing out side to side (using the "slits" in the aluminum), then did the same for the top. I cleaned up the bearing surfaces in the steering head, and opened up the new package of bearings, put a caliper on them inside and out, and the height, and they seem identical dimensioned, so they should fit. I have a couple questions though, and will upload pics when I can (waiting for them to email from phone to pc). Do I need to fill the bearings with grease? Which way is up for the new bearings? How does the seal go on?
Pics to follow sometime....thanks.
Pics to follow sometime....thanks.
DirtyDutch
Member
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2012
- Messages
- 11
Yes you will need to apply some bearing grease to it. And if it has 2 seals then it's for the upper and lower bearing and the seals should be visible at the top and bottom of the steeringhead(Outward). If it's only one seal then it should apply to the lower bearing and it should face outward.
You can buy expensive grease but i would recommend wheelbearing grease. It has to be waterproof grease.
I don't know brands in america or where you live but you can buy it at any car/motorcycle shop(**** you already know that) hahha.
Succes with the progress.
Greetings DirtyDutch.
You can buy expensive grease but i would recommend wheelbearing grease. It has to be waterproof grease.
I don't know brands in america or where you live but you can buy it at any car/motorcycle shop(**** you already know that) hahha.
Succes with the progress.
Greetings DirtyDutch.
