Quote:
Originally Posted by simmo
The steering head bearings on my GS dont last much beyond 20k kms,
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My friends who run a Yamaha shop tell me that this is common these days, caused by poor manufacture of the frames. Apparently the whole in which the bearing race sits is very slightly oval. So when the bearing is pushed in it also changes shape and becomes oval. This is not visible to the naked eye, but causes the load to be concentrated in two places wearing the bearing out quickly.
Their solution: they only ever buy special bearings that are slightly smaller, so they are not pressed into the frame, but rather just drop in. To secure them they use some kind of glue, so the race can't move. No more problems... so they say.
I still believe that the bearings I bought were crap, as their replacements have now lasted a lot longer. Plus, I make sure they are lubed and not tight. (Years ago I uncrated brand new Hondas and their bearings were already shot. Seems the factory tightened them with an air wrench...)
To get back to the DR: I kind of got used to it. Modified the seat, big tank, next is a different ratio and I'll be off on my half RTW.
61000km on the clock, I must be crazy. (But then, on my India trip I started with 90000 and did another 90. But that was a CX500.) Engine still runs like a new one, uses almost no oil. Wish me luck!
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