Steering head bearings.

990Glen · May 15, 2019

Anyone who has changed these or the lower triples - are the bearings easy enough to remove
or are they a bit of a pain and require decent pullers etc.

Have mashed my oem triples in a get off and am considering going with the cnc
kit. Just weighing up if I need to get a local workshop involved.
On a tight schedule to get ready for next race rounds, so can't afford to run
into any major delays due to unexpected complications.

Mick1976 · May 15, 2019

You will need to get a bearing puller. If you decide to run roller bearings the races will have to come out of the aluminum cups. Easiest thing to do is just get the CnC triples and new oem style bearings. I took some 2000 grit sandpaper and polished the steering post then freeze the bearings they will drop right on.

990Glen said:
Anyone who has changed these or the lower triples - are the bearings easy enough to remove
or are they a bit of a pain and require decent pullers etc.

Have mashed my oem triples in a get off and am considering going with the cnc
kit. Just weighing up if I need to get a local workshop involved.
On a tight schedule to get ready for next race rounds, so can't afford to run
into any major delays due to unexpected complications.

990Glen · May 15, 2019

Thanks fella

Mick1976 · May 15, 2019

990glen said:
thanks fella

endodoc · May 15, 2019

The bearing races are not removable from the frame cups. The races are a larger ID than the hole in the aluminum cups. There is no surface area on the race for a puller. If you have bad races (and they pit easily) you will need to buy new frame cups and if you are going to do this, just use the roller bearing setup. I have changed more than a few sets of the cups. Orientation is important. Best tool to use is a Park bearing press (park tools) 5 min installation with this tool as you can install both frame cups precisely at the same time. If you need detailed instructions, PM me.

chris16 · May 15, 2019

Remove the Cups.
The races will easily come out with some Heat.
and also back in.
The Triple is nothing else then on any other Motorcycle.

endodoc · May 16, 2019

The races will come out with some heat?? Really? I'd love to see a demonstration of that considering it takes an arbor press and a race set tool to install them. If you could post a demo on how this "heat" method is done it would be most helpful.

chris16 · May 16, 2019

it's a regular transition fit.
as you know we(or I) can't press or throw it out because there's no edge to set the tool on.
So I used the common method of heating, i'm pretty sure youtube has a lot of stuff about that.
I used a heatgun. takes a bit time. a flame or cooking plate would be much faster.
And, of cause one can use a "steering head bearing press pull tool" to mount the new bearings, but you can also take the cups to your kitchen, heat it and set the races in place.
This is one of the very few things that i found more easy on this bike.
I love the italians (not always)

chris16 · May 16, 2019

to be more precise.

clean 19 and lay it flat on wooden spacers (room for 20 ) with the inner side upwards.
Heat it up. light taps on the top with a wooden hammer handle can help.
If not, use more heat, not more force.
if using a torch, remember it's aluminium. 18 should not burn

if using a heatgun, patience.

tbare · Mar 11, 2021

@chris16 I just finished doing adjustable triples and and roller bearings. I will have to say, that was the slickest trick I have ever seen in the garage. Those races fell right out and the new ones dropped in while the cups were hot. I never would have though it would be that easy.

Thanks!
t_bare

endodoc · Mar 11, 2021

LOL I wasn’t that smart. I just bought new cups. I guess I could try that as I have a pile of cups with races in them. As far as bearings go, order the tapered rollers from 123 and get Koyo or similar. Don’t order AllBalls. Chinese.

Steering head bearings.

Help Support Ducati Forum:

990Glen

Mick1976

990Glen

Mick1976

endodoc

chris16

endodoc

chris16

chris16

tbare

endodoc

Similar threads

Register CTA

Recent Discussions