Wilsons Sandbox

I have a question about tightening the steering head bearings on the KLR. There is a lock washer with a couple of tabs that fit into the cutouts of the spanner nut, the one that needs to be tightened. Once I have loosened the top stem head nut and the lower fork clamp nuts, does the washer then just turn as you tighten the spanner nut or does it need to be removed before tightening the spanner nut? thanks.

Does anyone have a link to "Steering Head Bearings"? When I clicked my bookmark for it, it came up page not found. My bookmark for the fork oil change works, and I should have read it again before I took the forks off, could have saved me some trouble if I had followed it better. Started out to just change the fork boots, then decided while the forks are off, should change the fork oil. If anyone has never changed their fork oil, I highly recommend that they do so. That was the nastiest fork oil I have ever seen. The forks are hanging upside down now, and I plan on flushing them with ATF several times. 56,000 miles is by far too long to go on a fork oil change on the KLR. Allan A14 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On a long ride last weekend I noticed my steering head was flopping around a bit (end play) while I was on a washboard trail east of I- 25. I haven't ridden much in the last couple years and am just now beginning to enjoy the bike again. I used to have to park it outside (many years ago) and it seemed some of the neighborhood kids thought it amusing to push the bike over (grumble grumble expletive kids grumble grumble). Can't count how many times I would walk out and find the bike on the ground (replaced handlebars a couple times it went over so hard), so I assume that may have contributed to the apparent demise of my steering head bearings. I am curious from anyone who's done it as to how difficult it is to replace the upper and lower steering head bearings? My bike is a 1990 A4 with just under 10,000 miles on it and I am starting to perform more of my own maintenance. I will be getting the Clymer manual soon, is this repair covered in the Clymer? I saw in recent messages about adjusting\tightening the steering head bearings that a special tool is required, how big is that nut? Are there any sockets that fit?? How about loaner tools from AutoZone?? Anyone recommend other front end work I might hit while I have the bike disassembled? TIA John 1990 KLR 650 A4

My dealership says my steering head bearings are almost shot at 36000km. I have just gone off regular warranty and onto extended warranty. Anyone ever had these replaced under extended warranty? Douglas Dick Winnipeg MB mailto:ddick2@... KLR650 A16 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Since I haven't seen anything lately on checking, greasing or replacing your steering head bearings I thought I would give a heads up on my findings on my 2000 model with 21,000 miles---for inquiring minds. I dropped the triple trees for what I hoped to be just a greasing---but knowing how the factories are so stingy with grease, I guess it was no surprise to find that the top bearings were a solid ball of rust. The bottoms ones were OK--but I new it wouldn't be smart to leave the old ones in there so I just replaced both bearings and seals. I had felt no looseness or notchyness in my front end. Getting the inner races out can be challenging--but I heated them very hot with a small oxy-acetylene torch and when things cooled down a bit they almost fell out on their own. It was an easy enjoyable job that went without a hitch except for some trouble getting the correct bearings and seals sent to me. I'm so glad I did it---as it's just one of things you do to your bike that gives you confidence in your machine on your next adventure.

My steering head bearings are squeaking. Can I replace them myself or should I have the dealer do it? I replaced all my wheel bearings myself, but the steering head looks like it will require some speacial tools. -Bryan

Anyone have the part numbers for the SKS, or equivelent bearing for the KLR steering head/triple tree? Thanks TK