Headstock bearing removal

Hello all,

I wondered if anyone could help me with removing both bearings from the steering head in a '74 Commando. What with the tube in between the upper and lower bearings, is there a "gentle" way of removing them or do I need the bash the upper one to push the lwer one out? Does heating the frame head help in any way?
Thanks,

Paul

phsDommie said:

Hello all,

I wondered if anyone could help me with removing both bearings from the steering head in a '74 Commando. What with the tube in between the upper and lower bearings, is there a "gentle" way of removing them or do I need the bash the upper one to push the lwer one out? Does heating the frame head help in any way?
Thanks,

Paul

Click to expand...

Take a long punch or crappy screwdriver, insert in from the top (move the spacer tube off to one side) and beat the lower bearing out. Bearing and spacer tube will drop out, then proceed from the bottom and beat the upper one out. Save the bearings and use them to re-install the new ones.

Helps to heat the stem some with heat gun or hair dryer, especially to pull new ones back in. You can save a few oz mass by drilling the spacer or replacing by Al.
All thread, couple of nuts and big washers or sockets will pull new ones in pretty easy. I've an extra set of un-installe RGM alloy yokes to make ya restless on spending for more 'upgrades'. First set on Peel, 2nd set gotten thinking 1st was bad machining but turned on stanchions were bent a tad instead.

Thanks, Swooshdave and Hobot. You've reaffirmed the method I was going to try, but I hadn't thought of using the old bearings to help insert the new - great idea.

Paul.

I would be very careful using old bearings like that .
New bearings should be installed by pressing on the bearing outer only. Using a complete old bearing as in the photo means the bearing will be pressed in using the inner race - very bad practice.

If you want to make a drift from an old bearing dismantle the bearing and only use the outer race.

Or place the old bearing over the new one & hit the outer race. Or use a big socket locating over the outer race.

Rich_j said:

I would be very careful using old bearings like that .
New bearings should be installed by pressing on the bearing outer only. Using a complete old bearing as in the photo means the bearing will be pressed in using the inner race - very bad practice.

If you want to make a drift from an old bearing dismantle the bearing and only use the outer race.

Click to expand...

You just use a washer that is big enough to cover the outer race.