Removal Of Steering Head Lower Bearing

[Spud312r]

Hiya all..

Just changing the upper/lower frame steering head plates to 1199R to reduce rake by .5deg , i will get new bearings/seals i think for the new plates - make it easier to swap back if i dont like it.

The main challange now is the removal of the bottom bearing case on the steering stem bottom yoke , again i cant get anything behind it to push/pull - crazy design..
I'm wondering if you have to push the steering stem out of the lower yoke to get it of, its defo not in the workshop manual either..

Anybody managed to get this off without pushing the stem out of the yoke ?

 

[Doug916SP]

Refer to my post :"Install 24 degree kit" #16-#23.
First loosen allen-pinch on top triple, then use Ducati tool to loosen multi-hole fastener on steering stem. Then you can drop the front end (w/o disconnecting stem from lower triple..
Then use a long drift, from either the top hole or bottom, to drive out bearing holder.
Good luck. It will really help handling.

 

[Spud312r]

Refer to my post :"Install 24 degree kit" #16-#23.
First loosen allen-pinch on top triple, then use Ducati tool to loosen multi-hole fastener on steering stem. Then you can drop the front end (w/o disconnecting stem from lower triple..
Then use a long drift, from either the top hole or bottom, to drive out bearing holder.
Good luck. It will really help handling.

Hi fella

Yep i have the old top/bottom ally plates from the frame out, supprisingly came out easy with a drift .

The issue i did have but now completd was removing teh bearing from eth lower yoke steering stem as there was nothing of the bearing to pull on, but managed to use a small drift and push/hammer the bearing shell of the spindle and again of the top part of the spindle .

So just waiting for bearings/seals to turn up to finish the front of, looks like you push/press the bearing shell into the top/bottom alloy plates before to you push back into the frame..

Did you have to drop the forks through top yoke after to level out the bike as reducing the rake would rasie the front ??

Just looking at the new steering head inserts - how do you know which way round they go ??

They have a large cut out at 0 and 180 degree and smaller cutout at 90 and 270 degree and looking at the frame (1199S 2012) , i can see the large and smaller tangs , so know that they go with large cutouts 0 and 180 degree ,

BUT what way round to get the -.5 deg rake ?

See attachement - i think the larger chamfer points forward on the top plate and to the back on the lower plate ?!

 

[Doug916SP]

Yes, press in bearing races before install.
Not necessary to drop forks.
Tabs on top go at "3" and "6". But spend some time figuring correct top and bottom plate orientation, then mark it. It can seem counter intuitive.
That .5 degree makes all the difference. It's what made the 889 handling so popular and what the 1299 came with, but swingarm was changed to -4 (from "R").
If you wanted to go extreme, go to the 2015 "R" inserts. They move the shaft waaaay forward 5 mm and steepen angle to 23.5. See my post on "secrets". You have to buy sealed bearings.

 

[jock39racer]

Hiya all..

Just changing the upper/lower frame steering head plates to 1199R to reduce rake by .5deg , i will get new bearings/seals i think for the new plates - make it easier to swap back if i dont like it.

The main challange now is the removal of the bottom bearing case on the steering stem bottom yoke , again i cant get anything behind it to push/pull - crazy design..
I'm wondering if you have to push the steering stem out of the lower yoke to get it of, its defo not in the workshop manual either..

Anybody managed to get this off without pushing the stem out of the yoke ?

Hi mate,

A friend of mine borrowed my mountain bike bearing removal tool. Worked a treat for him. Its a solid bit of equipment.

https://www.parktool.com/product/head-cup-remover-oversized-rt-2

 

[Spud312r]

Yes, press in bearing races before install.
Not necessary to drop forks.
Tabs on top go at "3" and "6". But spend some time figuring correct top and bottom plate orientation, then mark it. It can seem counter intuitive.
That .5 degree makes all the difference. It's what made the 889 handling so popular and what the 1299 came with, but swingarm was changed to -4 (from "R").
If you wanted to go extreme, go to the 2015 "R" inserts. They move the shaft waaaay forward 5 mm and steepen angle to 23.5. See my post on "secrets". You have to buy sealed bearings.

I have the 2014 1199R inserts
https://www.bike-parts-ducati.com/ducati-motorcycle/Superbike

75610361AA part ordered from moto rapido in the UK
STEERING BUSH OPTION 1199R/899
24.5 deg 5MM = L MARKING ON RIGHT
23.5 DEG -5MM = L MARKING ON LEFT

So it looks like i have the 23.5deg kit..I will install with L on the left
Number stamped on part is 75630361A though..

Once bearing have arrived, i'll push the races in then place the parts in the freezer for a few days ;-)


See my post on "secrets". link me please
"You have to buy sealed bearings" ?? why have they changed ??


Also if i install with the L on the left , i get -5mm and 23.5deg which will surely reduce the wheelbase ie bring front closer to rear ??

One question i have, is by doing this an dcreating a shorter wheelbase,
will it actually raise the front as your pullingthe wheel back ?

And if we dont do the swing arm -4mm fix,
will we have to drop the forks a bit to level the bike out ??