Steering head bearings
- Mountain rider
- Posts: 207
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- Location: Rigby, Idaho
- Motorcycle: 2003 Goldwing 1800
Steering head bearings
I've got an 03 1800 and while I'm fussing with the front end, brakes, tire, ect., I thought it might be a good time to check, service, or replace those bearings. Just how involved is resetting the torque? I'd prefer to keep it simple for now if possible. If replacing or servicing them, I'm assuming you'd have to remove the front forks and remove the triple tree. Since there's nothing to cause me to be overly concerned right now, I'd plan that for the next Winter upgrades and just re-torque them for now. Of course, if I find something bad, I'll go ahead and just do it.
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- Asphaltmaniac
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Re: Steering head bearings
If there are no issues. I wouldn't touch them unless to replace with new or the tapered kind. I did replace mine with the tapered, and followed the torque procedure and spec as per the bearing manufacturer. If you need one,DHS Racing in San Diego sells the steering stem spanner wrench.Mountain rider wrote: ↑Mon Mar 11, 2019 12:22 am I've got an 03 1800 and while I'm fussing with the front end, brakes, tire, ect., I thought it might be a good time to check, service, or replace those bearings. Just how involved is resetting the torque? I'd prefer to keep it simple for now if possible. If replacing or servicing them, I'm assuming you'd have to remove the front forks and remove the triple tree. Since there's nothing to cause me to be overly concerned right now, I'd plan that for the next Winter upgrades and just re-torque them for now. Of course, if I find something bad, I'll go ahead and just do it.
- keithg64
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Re: Steering head bearings
Yeah if there is no issue and your planning on replacing it next year, I would wait. It does require a special notch socket for a proper torque setting. However if you decide to replace go with the tapered all balls brand. And let us know.
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- GoldWingrGreg
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Re: Steering head bearings
To test, on a flat road in 5th gear at 50mph, let go of the bars and allow the Wing to decelerate. Check for pulls left and right, and for handlebar wobble. Any wobble ???Mountain rider wrote: ↑Mon Mar 11, 2019 12:22 am Of course, if I find something bad, I'll go ahead and just do it.
- tfdeputydawg
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Re: Steering head bearings
As a decel wobble happens on most Wings, what would your test prove??????GoldWingrGreg wrote: ↑Tue Mar 12, 2019 1:01 amTo test, on a flat road in 5th gear at 50mph, let go of the bars and allow the Wing to decelerate. Check for pulls left and right, and for handlebar wobble. Any wobble ???Mountain rider wrote: ↑Mon Mar 11, 2019 12:22 am Of course, if I find something bad, I'll go ahead and just do it.
- Mountain rider
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Re: Steering head bearings
I'll do that once I get her back together. It's finally warming up enough that my driveway is no longer white and I don't see my breath all day in the garage.GoldWingrGreg wrote: ↑Tue Mar 12, 2019 1:01 amTo test, on a flat road in 5th gear at 50mph, let go of the bars and allow the Wing to decelerate. Check for pulls left and right, and for handlebar wobble. Any wobble ???Mountain rider wrote: ↑Mon Mar 11, 2019 12:22 am Of course, if I find something bad, I'll go ahead and just do it.

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- GoldWingrGreg
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Re: Steering head bearings
That tapered bearings are likely needed to get rid of it. Basically, that is one of the best ways to know that steering head bearings are loose. Another test is during parking lot maneuvers. Lots of steering correction in the middle of turns indicates loose steering head bearings too. However, that is more for a rider that is able to recognize it. Many become accustom to it.tfdeputydawg wrote: ↑Tue Mar 12, 2019 5:38 amAs a decel wobble happens on most Wings, what would your test prove??????GoldWingrGreg wrote: ↑Tue Mar 12, 2019 1:01 amTo test, on a flat road in 5th gear at 50mph, let go of the bars and allow the Wing to decelerate. Check for pulls left and right, and for handlebar wobble. Any wobble ???Mountain rider wrote: ↑Mon Mar 11, 2019 12:22 am Of course, if I find something bad, I'll go ahead and just do it.
- Mountain rider
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Re: Steering head bearings
Thanks for all the info, much appreciated. Well, she's finally back together so we went for a quick ride. 50MPH and decelerating, no wobble. 45MPH, set the cruise and let go, no wobble or drift, just cruising in a straight line. She's good for this season, but I think I'll do them as an upgrade next Winter. Thanks again.
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- Asphaltmaniac
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Black 2006 1800 Goldwing.
2017 BMW 1200 GS Adventure...
Re: Steering head bearings
Good work Sargent! Now ride, and thats an order!Mountain rider wrote: ↑Mon Mar 18, 2019 9:26 pm Thanks for all the info, much appreciated. Well, she's finally back together so we went for a quick ride. 50MPH and decelerating, no wobble. 45MPH, set the cruise and let go, no wobble or drift, just cruising in a straight line. She's good for this season, but I think I'll do them as an upgrade next Winter. Thanks again.
- Mountain rider
- Posts: 207
- Joined: Sun May 14, 2017 9:03 pm
- Location: Rigby, Idaho
- Motorcycle: 2003 Goldwing 1800
Re: Steering head bearings
Sir, yes sir, sir.Asphaltmaniac wrote: ↑Tue Mar 19, 2019 10:07 amGood work Sargent! Now ride, and that's an order!Mountain rider wrote: ↑Mon Mar 18, 2019 9:26 pm Thanks for all the info, much appreciated. Well, she's finally back together so we went for a quick ride. 50MPH and decelerating, no wobble. 45MPH, set the cruise and let go, no wobble or drift, just cruising in a straight line. She's good for this season, but I think I'll do them as an upgrade next Winter. Thanks again.

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- Asphaltmaniac
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Wed Oct 11, 2017 11:57 am
- Location: Sparks Nevada
- Motorcycle: 1977 Honda 550K. Sold.
1986 1200 Aspencade. Purchased as a non current brand new in the box 1988. Sold.
Black 2006 1800 Goldwing.
2017 BMW 1200 GS Adventure...
Re: Steering head bearings
Be safe out there sargeMountain rider wrote: ↑Tue Mar 19, 2019 1:25 pmSir, yes sir, sir.Asphaltmaniac wrote: ↑Tue Mar 19, 2019 10:07 amGood work Sargent! Now ride, and that's an order!Mountain rider wrote: ↑Mon Mar 18, 2019 9:26 pm Thanks for all the info, much appreciated. Well, she's finally back together so we went for a quick ride. 50MPH and decelerating, no wobble. 45MPH, set the cruise and let go, no wobble or drift, just cruising in a straight line. She's good for this season, but I think I'll do them as an upgrade next Winter. Thanks again.![]()
