Question regarding 1299 head bearing plates and race

I wound up ordering the IMA Special Parts adjustable triple trees. Along with the trees I ordered a few other parts for the triple trees. In the quote IMA also included a 35mm lower tapered roller bearing. When I removed the triple trees I saw that I have a ball bearings. I cant remove that sleeve at the bottom of the stock steering tube on the stock lower triple clamp. The 35mm tapered roller bearing wont fit into the ball bearing race in the head bearing plate. And of course from what Ive read it is very difficult to remove the ball bearing race out of the head bearing plate. Ive read some guys did small welds inside then tapped it out. So I decided to order 2 new head bearing plates, an extra 35mm tapered lower bearing and a few other small parts needed.

My question is this. Do the OEM head bearing plates already come with a ball bearing race inside them? I ordered 2 part number 1's and 2 part number 15's as well as 2 other parts from a different page. But if the OEM head bearing plates already come with the ball bearing races in them I may as well cancel the order since its on back order for 5-7 days and just attempt to have the ball bearing races removed. Ducatiomaha 2015 1299

None of the aluminum frame cups that I have ever ordered from Ducati (5 sets)have shipped with bearing races. The tapered roller bearings are def the way to go.

Thanks for letting me know. IMA sent me a lower tapered 35mm roller bearing. Is there a difference between the top and bottom 35mm roller bearing? Or can I order the same All Balls Racing 35mm roller bearing that came with the triple trees to use up top?

Is it difficult to remove those aluminum frame cups?

The upper and lower tapered roller head bearings and races are symmetrical (upper and lower). With regard to removal and installation of the cups, there are a multitude of ways to do this and I’m sure you will get examples from people who have performed this personally and from individuals who have not but wish to offer an option so I can only comment from my own experience. To remove the cups I use a long 3/4, diameter threaded rod with 2 nuts and 2 large thick flat washers that seat on the bottom of the cups. I install the rod in the frame and run the nuts to the washers and use this as an internal press to punch the cups out. That’s a pretty anal way of doing it. Just as easy to get a soft piece of non abrasive material (delrin, Wood etc) and drive the cups out with a hammer. Make sure to drive them out evenly or the cups coming out crooked will mark up the frame.

Thanks for all the input on this.

Installation, again many ways to do it. I use a Park bearing/race driver as it fits the head cups perfectly. Seat the cups evenly in the frame and tighten the press making sure to watch that the cups are being driven in evenly. Im sure you can use any similar device or you can even use the same threaded rod and washers device I use in the removal. Lastly, yes you can hammer them in with a mallet but it might not be pretty.

There are apparently ways to get the old races out of the cups, heat, the welding process etc. I have never tried any of these examples so I cannot comment but apparently they are successful

Super easy to pop out the inner races on the cups. Remove the cups and take a Dremel cut off wheel cut through the race 80-90% and it will collapse then pop right out. Push the cups back in place drop in a set of tapered roller bearings (Podium Racing) and use the Parker tool I use one also super easy.

Would you happen to know which Motion Pro tool could be used instead of the Park tool? I looking at a few right now and Im not sure which one is correct. Steering/Handlebar Tools - Motion Pro

Unfortunately I don’t and it would just be a guess. I’ve only used the Park. Mick probably knows.

Pretty sure this is the one you would need.

cycler said:

Would you happen to know which Motion Pro tool could be used instead of the Park tool? I looking at a few right now and Im not sure which one is correct. Steering/Handlebar Tools - Motion Pro

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I had looked at the Motion Pro one before I got a Park its got more depth to reach plus they both are about same price.

Mick1976 said:

Pretty sure this is the one you would need.

Steering Stem Bearing Tool - Motion Pro

Motion Pro - High quality cables, tools and controls for motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles and personal watercraft.

www.motionpro.com

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Just to clarify because I dont want to order the wrong item. The Motion pro you think is the one I need. Will that help me press in the race as well as press in the head bearing plate?

I have both but the Motion will only work for installing/removing the inner races on the stem tube. Use the Park to install the outer races into the top/bottom cups.

cycler said:

Just to clarify because I dont want to order the wrong item. The Motion pro you think is the one I need. Will that help me press in the race as well as press in the head bearing plate?

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