steering head bearings for the poor man

[pono60]

im wondering if there's a poor man's way to check my steering head bearings,that is,a way to do it without buying a jack,im trying to save some money for college,any help would be greatly appreciated.

[evoKENevo]

Hi again,Pono
I'm afraid the cheapest way to do the above w/o buying a jack is to steal one !!
I would'nt recommend that..but in order to do the job the right way,you're going to have to get your front whl. off the floor to check for correct "fall-away" (see your shop manual) or you're likely to do more harm than good.

I understand your $$$ situation..but IMO if you're going to be doing most ofyour own work over/above this, a jack is pretty much a necessity..as well as a money SAVER over all anyhow..and you can pick up a lift/jack that'd "suffice" for like $50** just about anywhere these days.

[HarleyCruiser]

Originally Posted by pono60

im wondering if there's a poor man's way to check my steering head bearings,that is,a way to do it without buying a jack,im trying to save some money for college,any help would be greatly appreciated.

Yes you can check it by feel, and the bump test.
Driving down the road, with your left hand loosely on the handle bar, bump the right side.
The front end should come right back, with no wobble.
If you get any wobble the front end is too loose.
It is important to know that the steering head tightness works as a steering head damper.
Over time it loosens up. You will notice the bike will get a front end wobble, when you hit a bump or ridge in the road.
Especially when in a corner.
If the front end is too tight, you loose the feel of the road and the bike will lose it’s ability to self steer. And it will have a tendency to drift.
If you take your hands off the bars, and lean the bike will not respond, it will keep going the way it was going.
And it will just plain feel stiff.
It is important to know what the bike feels like when the front end is set up correct so that when it is off you know it.
As far as jacking up the bike, I have used a car jack, also used two by fours, leaned the bike one way then the other and place a extra board under each side when it is leaning. Best to have two people do this.
If you have a lot of friends, just pick it up and put some boards under it.

[evoKENevo]

Seriously...those are all good suggestions & info,from a good guy. I just was'nt comfortable in heading you in that direction. Because..based on this and your other threads/questions.. you just don't seem to be a very experienced rider or wrench,etc..and felt the above to be a little too risky as far as the "test & try" rides go in comparison to making the simpler & safer "fall away" adjust'mt...first.

As far as HC's jacking suggestions go..oh YEAH get the sucker up there where you need it ANY way you can IF you can. But,like he said..best to have two or more friends around that you TRUST,with your $$$$$ machine...'cuz "stuff DOES happen"

[HarleyCruiser]

Yea guess I should have added my regular disclaimer.
Don’t try this at home, don’t try this away from home.
It might cause impotence, your dog to bite you, your wife to run off.
Don’t drink it don’t use it as a douche.
If you have an erection for more than four hours, don’t call me, I don’t want to hear about it.
Guess that about covers it

Originally Posted by evoKENevo

Seriously...those are all good suggestions,from a good guy. I just was'nt comfortable in heading you in that direction. Because..based on this and your other threads/questions you just don't seem to be a very experienced rider or wrench,etc..and felt the above to be a little too risky as far as the "test & try rides" go in comparison to making the simpler & safer "fall away" adjust'mt...first.

As far as HC's jacking suggestions go..oh YEAH get the sucker up there where you need it ANY way you can IF you can. But,like he said..best to have two or more friends around that you TRUST in,with your $$$$$ machine...'cuz "stuff DOES happen"

[evoKENevo]

God help me...I love this place !!

[pono60]

oh wow thanks a lot guys,not only for the expert advice,but for the comedy as well,i actually laughed in the morning,that never happens.