Man these videos are a mixed blessing. On the one hand I’ve learnt so so much from watching them about what to expect tearing down my bike and rebuilding, but on the other hand I’ve watched like 10 hours of this Brendan guy pick up the wrong tool, or talk about the right tool while using another, or say “be careful not to do x” whilst he’s literally doing x. It’s simultaneously so helpful and so infuriating and I’m not complaining because I’m so grateful but I just had to say it. I swear I can’t be the only person thinking this. Thank you for the videos despite my whinge!
Another quality guide on maintenance, thanks Brendan. Although I'm rebuilding a 1980 Kawa the engineering from this era is all very similar and your clear explanations are inspiring, even 5yrs on. Thanks from the UK.
Thank you Brendan, great video. I was a bit reluctant to punch out the old ball bearing races on my 72 CB500 (prior to painting the frame), fearing that I would damage them. Knowing that I can upgrade to tapered roller bearings with new races just solved that problem! I'm ordering the new bearing kit now. Thanks again.
Excellent! So many tutorials have guys using special machined tools to aid in race setting etc.....and that does me no good. You use common tools. That helps me as I've never done this before. Great video. I'm subscribing!
You make very good videos, thank you. I replaced my berries with all balls taper bearings last year. I must have left a spacer out because it is either too loose or to tight to steer. Does the spacer underneath the lower bearing press against the inner portion of the bearing enabling you to tighten it while allowing the outer part of the bearing to spin? Thank you for any help. JD
Freezing the races worked so well for me I was able to seat them by hand with just a little love from a scrap piece of wood molding and a rubber mallet.
Hi first off great channel! Question for you on the spacer you used in the video you didn't show what one it was thick or thin one in the kit? Or did I miss that I'm doing this install on a 71 CB500 Four and was wondering before I have to destroy the lower bearing if you knew what shim I needed? Also found my jack handle split it in half fits so perfect to install the lower bearing.
I really don't like that the upper race doesn't sit flush with the frame. Never experienced anything like this on any other bearing installation. Has anyone had any failures associated with them not sitting flush or am I being too OCD?
THANK YOU! I'm piecing together a 1981 CM400 to be a cafe racer style bike, and I absolutely HATE loose ball bearings. I presume you have a set (possibly this same one) that will work on my bike?
We agree! this is a way better solution. As for fitment under the part on our website, www.common-motor.com/honda-steering-bearings, we do currently have the 79-81 cm400's listed under the compatibility list! Have at it!
Great video! One question, how do you deal with the new gap created by the taller bearing seat of the tapered bearings on the top tube? It's about a couple mm taller and I can feel the head light and blinkers bouncing when I go over bumps. thanks.
one suggestion was to install the tapered bearings on the lower part and then install the old school ball bearings on the upper because there isn't as much load on the top end.
Hi, I've had this problem just a few hours ago. I just removed the washer provided with the upper bearing (I checked that in this video, the washer doesn't appear before the spanner nut). I had a huge gap, and I saw the headlight was going to move a lot.
As a temporary fix, I added some orings under the top triple and everything is firm but would like to come up with something better. My stock bearings looked good, just dry old grease and loose nut, probably should have just cleaned and regreased them.
We used the old race with a notch cut into it (so it gives and doesn't get stuck) when replacing aircraft wheel bearing races. Worked very nicely. Face the narrow ends toward each other.
bought your kit and installed it just like this for my cb450 but for some reason i'm getting a lot of drag when trying to turn. Even just by hand tightening the cap. put the spacer in (only came with 1) packed the bearings and everything. Any idea whats going on???
Man these videos are a mixed blessing. On the one hand I’ve learnt so so much from watching them about what to expect tearing down my bike and rebuilding, but on the other hand I’ve watched like 10 hours of this Brendan guy pick up the wrong tool, or talk about the right tool while using another, or say “be careful not to do x” whilst he’s literally doing x. It’s simultaneously so helpful and so infuriating and I’m not complaining because I’m so grateful but I just had to say it. I swear I can’t be the only person thinking this. Thank you for the videos despite my whinge!
Another quality guide on maintenance, thanks Brendan. Although I'm rebuilding a 1980 Kawa the engineering from this era is all very similar and your clear explanations are inspiring, even 5yrs on. Thanks from the UK.
Harbor Freight 3 ton low profile jack handle also works perfect for driving on the lower bearing!
This info helped me finish my steering bearings! Thanks for the assist!
Thank you king, this helped me with my 71 CL 350
Thank you Brendan, great video. I was a bit reluctant to punch out the old ball bearing races on my 72 CB500 (prior to painting the frame), fearing that I would damage them. Knowing that I can upgrade to tapered roller bearings with new races just solved that problem! I'm ordering the new bearing kit now. Thanks again.
YIKES !! Use the old bearing to drive the new shell in NOT a BLOODY PUNCH.
We have gentle hands :)
and it was a brass punch haha
great video. waiting for my new bearings to come in for a 75 cb550f! thank you for sharing this guide.
Really appreciate your videos. I am completely rebuilding a 74 cb750 and I have used your videos a lot on my project.
Excellent! So many tutorials have guys using special machined tools to aid in race setting etc.....and that does me no good. You use common tools. That helps me as I've never done this before. Great video. I'm subscribing!
You make very good videos, thank you. I replaced my berries with all balls taper bearings last year. I must have left a spacer out because it is either too loose or to tight to steer. Does the spacer underneath the lower bearing press against the inner portion of the bearing enabling you to tighten it while allowing the outer part of the bearing to spin? Thank you for any help. JD
when seating the new race Use the old ball race over the new tapered race to protect it as you tap it home
Another awesome, informative video. Thanks for making these.
Don't use a hardened steel punch on bearings!!!
A brass drift would be a much better choice.
Freezing the races worked so well for me I was able to seat them by hand with just a little love from a scrap piece of wood molding and a rubber mallet.
Or grind the OD of the old race and hammer on that.
Brendan, what is the torque spec for the top stem nut and pinch bolt? Cannot find these anywhere... Thanks! Videos are awesome.
For my 1975 cb550f Super Sport, one of the Sun Rising Bearing kit races is slightly bigger than the other. Which is the top and which is the bottom?
Excellent tutorial, feel really confident doing this now, thanks
Excellent brendon I need to do this on my 400 4 i like the freezer bit very informative thanks
Great video, something I've not yet done before. 👍
Since these don't have a lip like the original one how do you get these out in the future, I don't see how you'd get a punch behind these?
Hi first off great channel! Question for you on the spacer you used in the video you didn't show what one it was thick or thin one in the kit? Or did I miss that I'm doing this install on a 71 CB500 Four and was wondering before I have to destroy the lower bearing if you knew what shim I needed? Also found my jack handle split it in half fits so perfect to install the lower bearing.
Thank you soooo much, I'm going to go ahead and do this on my CB250T.
Hi
what does the bearing measure?
Great vid for newbies And my old ass to watch,,I do this to all these old beauties that follow me home
Thanks for uploading, now I can tackle this job
I really don't like that the upper race doesn't sit flush with the frame. Never experienced anything like this on any other bearing installation. Has anyone had any failures associated with them not sitting flush or am I being too OCD?
How the heck do I know which size spacer to use? 1978 Honda CB550K
Ho do you feel about installing steering dampers on these older hondas
THANK YOU! I'm piecing together a 1981 CM400 to be a cafe racer style bike, and I absolutely HATE loose ball bearings. I presume you have a set (possibly this same one) that will work on my bike?
We agree! this is a way better solution. As for fitment under the part on our website, www.common-motor.com/honda-steering-bearings, we do currently have the 79-81 cm400's listed under the compatibility list! Have at it!
@@Common-motor Thank you!
Glad to help!
Use the old race to push the new race in only risking damage to the old race.
Which spacer washer do I use on a 71 cb350?
Great explanation and tips.many thanks.
We're glad to help!
Thanks this helps a lot
Great video! One question, how do you deal with the new gap created by the taller bearing seat of the tapered bearings on the top tube? It's about a couple mm taller and I can feel the head light and blinkers bouncing when I go over bumps. thanks.
one suggestion was to install the tapered bearings on the lower part and then install the old school ball bearings on the upper because there isn't as much load on the top end.
Hi, I've had this problem just a few hours ago. I just removed the washer provided with the upper bearing (I checked that in this video, the washer doesn't appear before the spanner nut). I had a huge gap, and I saw the headlight was going to move a lot.
As a temporary fix, I added some orings under the top triple and everything is firm but would like to come up with something better. My stock bearings looked good, just dry old grease and loose nut, probably should have just cleaned and regreased them.
may be a stupid question, but can you not use the old bottom bearing to hit the new one into place instead of a punch?
I mean... I guess? Always better to use the right tool for the job though.
We used the old race with a notch cut into it (so it gives and doesn't get stuck) when replacing aircraft wheel bearing races. Worked very nicely. Face the narrow ends toward each other.
@@Common-motor So you use a punch and I saw it slip, possibly scratching that outer race....Ray and Cristian are correct.
Really great video-made the job a breeze. Now how about some CB550 wheel bearing install videos? :)
Subscribe and stayed tuned! Coming to a screen near you!
Hi...great video..thanks you..i'm from Malaysia
What do you think of putting a grease fitting in the head tube?
Only the bearings are greased unlike the swing arm which has a grease fitting, the whole head tube isn't filled with grease so I wouldn't.
cool stuff! i really wish I could see it done with the proper tools!
I suppose it's exactly the same on my '99 CB500 ...
so I can do that with the rear suspension wrench, thanks :)
The question is, what if the bearings is broken. how to remove the outter race??
Hi that last nut u put on hand tight at the end of the video was loose on my bike. Any idea why? And do U know torque spec? 2001 nighthawk 750
Thats a very different bike so I can't say but check the service manual. Should find it there and you definitely want to torque it.
surprised there is no lockwasher or locknut on top of the top bearing nut.
Wonder where you can buy these roller bearings
all balls racing sells them for just about every bike out there
I just took my front end apart and the ball bearings started falling out. I had no idea what was happening in the moment lol
Superb!!!!
bought your kit and installed it just like this for my cb450 but for some reason i'm getting a lot of drag when trying to turn. Even just by hand tightening the cap.
put the spacer in (only came with 1) packed the bearings and everything. Any idea whats going on???
Chinese what else is new !
How to chew up a new race
So remove factory made in japan bearings
And install made in china bearings
I would not
Thats me
great video thanks for the lesson of how to.