[elevens]

Took my red 1098s out for the first time last night, and I noticed a slight click/clunk/thump when tapping the front brake which I'm guessing is a slightly loose steering head bearing. Bike has 2000 miles on it. Anybody else have/notice this, or know how to adjust?

 

[Visitor Q]

I've read post about this on here before, maybe check to make sure it is tight and torqued to spec.. You could even swing back around to where you purchased it and just have them give it a go.

Better safe than sorry.

Jason

 

[kesagami]

The problem is that the bearings were never seated properly at the factory. I adjusted mine a few times but they kept coming loose. I then realised that they have to be torqued pretty tight to get them to seat and then go through the normal proceedure to adjust them. This should be a warranty job and the only reason I did it was because I did not want a three hour ride to have it done.

 

[Visitor Q]

Maybe just have the dealer check it at your first service if you have not had it done already?

Jason

 

[elevens]

Thanks. I'm going to try to snug it up just a bit and if that doesn't work out then it's into the shop.

 

[skydivindad]

Bought the tool to do it myself. Had to use straps to compress suspension.

 

[elevens]

Bought the tool to do it myself. Had to use straps to compress suspension.

Thanks - interesting.

 

[Smeegle]

Bought the tool to do it myself. Had to use straps to compress suspension.

Yup, had to take mine in 3 times to tight it up. Things felt good for the longest while, then I started practicing hard stops and it settled a bit more. I hope the 4th time is the last...

I bought the tool aswell, but I had no way of lifting the front wheel off the ground to relieve pressure on the neck in order to tighten it up properly. I don't understand, why did you have to compress the suspension? The mechanic at my dealer didn't do that?

 

[skydivindad]

Compressing the suspension relieved the pressure on the top triple clamp without lifting the front wheel up... since I had no way of lifting the front wheel up thats all I could think to do.

 

[kesagami]

You dont need to do that. Just hold some downward pressure on the tripple clamp,roll the bike forward slowly and apply the front brake, the triple clamp will then just snap into place. You might want someone to assist you but it can be done alone.

 

[pbrown]

Had this on my 916 & 996, angular contact ball bearings give very nice feeling to the steering but are very sensitive to the load unlike the taper roller bearings used in most jap bikes (had same problem on R1 which used same type of ball bearings).

Just get the tool or make one (you dont need to engage all the holes, I made one from a nut & drilled 4 holes & fitted dowl rod worked fine for me) and adjust the bearings when you feel the front moving or making a noise.

You need to be really careful with these ball bearings you should not over tighten them as this could mark the races.

 

[elevens]

Thanks everyone for all the great info. I ordered the tool on ebay.