Tapered Roller Bearing Headset
When I first got my new bike, I purchased a set of tapered roller bearings for the headset. Installing them is a real pain in the ass and I never got around to it during setting the bike up.
Once I noticed some very subtle and slight knocking and clunking going on up front. I knew it was time to do the job. It really did not take too long once I got to work. Raising the front end without using a front end stand was the major consideration. With some planning, I figured out how to hold the bike up nicely. Suspenders from the rafters of course. My rear stand helps hold things more stable.
When I took the upper triple clamp off the bike and went to remove the top locknut, it wasn't even finger tight, it was loose. This is a word to the wise, check your head every now and then.
The hardest part of removing the old headset is the crown race. It is really tough to get to. I use a large cheap flat head screwdriver with a chisle end sharpend on it. Careful striking and plenty of time will work the part off without marring the tree. Once the old races are removed from the head tube, the old ones are easily inserted using the old races as drivers.
In speaking with the company that I got the kit from, they say that the torque on the bearings can be 5-7 ft.lbs higher than factory spec if you choose. Factory spec feels good and solid to me.
After the job was done, the front end was super solid. It really makes such a difference in front end feel, that I figure that I can drop my front end and reduce my trail slightly. Now, my bike is almost too stable.
I will buy special tools when I see no other work around, or when the special tool is really the right one for the job. In this case, get the special tool from Honda, or borrow one. The one to get is the socket type one that connects directly to the torque wrench. p/n # 07916-3710100.
This site has not been
updated since Fall 2006.
Since then, all new projects
have been place on my wiki
site.
If you like what you see on
this site, Make sure to go
to the wiki for even better
projects.