Steering Head Bearing Removal

I'm getting ready to remove the steering head bearings from my '74 850 Commando prior to powder coating the frame. I read the recent discussion on the topic and would like to know what type of drift works best to beat the bearings out of the bores? Any specifics on length, diameter, and material would be appreciated. It sounds like a rather indelicate operation, but the caution notes in the shop manual and Haynes have me a little spooked about doing damage. Any words of wisdom on the topic will be appreciated. Thanks!

Jim

Just about everybody I know beats them out with a bar. It needs to be small enough to insert and angle some to get the first one out. Don't try to get it out in a few smacks. Just move the bar with each hit to keep from tilting the bearing. Of course the bearing is going to be trash at this point, but they are cheap. Installing the new bearings is a different matter. I made a disc that fits inside the headstock but catches the outer race to insert them. There's a 3/8" hole in the center. I use 3/8" fine thread rod with a plate bigger than the tube opposite it to put the bearings in. I can lend them to you if you need them. Make sure the bottom one is seated completely, it bears all the weight. The upper bears none.

Bob-

Thanks for the reply and info. I may take you up on your offer for the use of the installion tool, but it's going to be a while before I'm at that point.

I played around with the bearings this afternoon and had them out in about five minutes. They came out a lot easier than I anticipated. I used a variety of drifts: a 5 inch, 1/4" diameter brass rod to move the spacer over; a 10" tapered steel punch to get things started; and a 9 inch, 3/8" diameter brass drift to finish removing the bottom bearing and take out the top one. They popped out nicely and didn't even appear to be damaged; new ones will be going back in however.

Thanks again for the help.

Jim