Headstock bearings

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Just fitted new bearings in headstock, loose both pinch bolts on fork legs .torqued up large nut at bottom of headstock to 30lb also torqued up pinch bolts to 30ib. When I hold bottom of forks and rock back and forth with wheel off the floor I still get a small amount of play.tryed 40lb but still the same Any help would be great. John. Norfolk england
 
A small amount of play where though ?
And exactly which bearings did you fit ?
(We assume for an 850 ?)

Was the headstem a GOOD fit through the bearings ?
Were the bearings a good firm fit in the frame headstock.
If the forks are worn, the sliders can rock on the fork tubes a bit too, just a trace.

The bottom nut on the headstock tube just holds it to the spacers,
tightening it doesn't adjust the bearings in the slightest, so don't overtighten it.
hth
 
Sorry should have said what bike. 1971 commando 750. Re built bike from basket case . New bearings, spacer ok, bearing fit snug in headstock, I am struggling to what it could be, I thought. (Lab) may shine some light on it. All help would be appreciated. John. Norfolk. Uk
 
John leathers said:
I am struggling to what it could be, I thought. (Lab) may shine some light on it.

From the information you've given us, I think Rohan has suggested all the logical possibilities, so you need to discover exactly where this play is.
I take it you fitted a pair of Andover Norton (AN part 06-7604) replacement bearings or reasonable quality 'standard' clearance 6205 2RS single-row deep groove ball bearings?
 
Play is in the top bearing, ( if thumb is put at joint at top bearing) you can feel a small amount of movement with a slight click. John. Norfolk uk
 
Sounds like the stem is worn at the top or the bearing ID is undersize, you are going to have to take it apart and check what it going on, new stems are available to save you having to replace the yokes.
 
John leathers said:
Play is in the top bearing, ( if thumb is put at joint at top bearing) you can feel a small amount of movement with a slight click. John. Norfolk uk

play in in the bearing?
or between the bearing and stem?
or between the bearing and bearing seat in head tube?
 
Thanks all for your help, it looks like a strip down job, I seam to take 1step forward and 2 back the trouble with basket cases is you have no reference pioppoints to go by. Thanks. All
 
If the central column of yolks, bearings and spacer are truly firmly clamped together I don't think you would feel any play in that unit at all. That would only leave play between the bearing OD and bore in the frame head stock.
A bit of a long shot, try a washer under the large head stock nut, perhaps you're running out of thread.

Dave
 
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