 TBA Steering Head Bearings
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 537
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 537 |
I was bolting my '71 Triumph Tiger front end back together last night and marvelled at those lovely taper roller bearings in its steering head. They're standard on those OIF models but then I remembered seeing in my TBA workshop manual that the TBA's only have the more basic ball bearing steering heads. Just wondering if anyone knows why the Hinckley designers went for a rather basic (some might even call it inferior) ball bearing design rather than a taper roller set-up? It wouldn't be for cost reasons would it? 
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 Re: TBA Steering Head Bearings
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,668
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,668 |
I can't imagine any reason other than cost alone.
Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come; He will guide you in all truth:
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 Re: TBA Steering Head Bearings
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
Aren't Allballs replacement steer bearings tapered rollers? they only cost $25 for the kit including seals.
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 Re: TBA Steering Head Bearings
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 467
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 467 |
Yes they are the tapered roller bearings. IMO they make the bike feel more solid. I installed on my 05 Speedmaster,the stock ones were pretty worn. Had a nice groove worn in the races.
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 Re: TBA Steering Head Bearings
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,150
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,150 |
Yeah, I'm due to replace mine but they've been in the too hard basket for a little while. Considering I've got an 05 Speedie and you're mentioning some signs of wear, I better put it up the priority list i think 
Staintune Pipes, K&N Pods, 45 pilots, TBS needles and 145 mains.
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 Re: TBA Steering Head Bearings
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
I better put it up the priority list i think
Me too... I got a front end shake I can't get rid of. First it was there when I took both hands off the bars, now I can feel it when let just one hand go. And I miss being able to let go of the bars so I might have to go at 'er someday soon.
Live to love, love to live.
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 Re: TBA Steering Head Bearings
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
The proper set up on tapers is all about static pre load, sure glad I scored a set of the factory wrenches when I had the chance, I haven't read the manual for change out yet, but a double tapered set up protocol , to attain the correct pre load you would over torq. to set the bearings, back off, then retorq to spec. Most of the bearings I have changed out due to early failure in Ind. Apps. failed due to installed excessive pre load. In a sealed set up as ours, too tight and all your lube, (this case grease) is forced away from where you need it by sheer over pressure, bearing grease is by design to efficiently work in a consistent very fine film (.0001-2")Typ.
Last edited by Ryk; 06/15/2011 6:46 AM.
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 Re: TBA Steering Head Bearings
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152 |
I'm getting my second set of stock bearings replaced to day using the allballs kit. I'd better check the torque specs.
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 Re: TBA Steering Head Bearings
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152 |
huh, I called allballs and spoke to "alex". He wasn't sure about the america but said their experience with hondas was that the bearings could stand more pre-load. He described the process Ryk mentioned above. He said the point of increasing pre-load was to avoid having to re-torque.
I note the triumph manual calls for that same process but NO pre-load. I'm hoping the dealer has done this before and I'll probably get them checked after a few weeks. This is probably what killed my last set of bearings.
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 Re: TBA Steering Head Bearings
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
I'm getting my second set of stock bearings replaced to day using the allballs kit. I'd better check the torque specs.
What does the allballs kit consist of, Bill and where did you get it?
Live to love, love to live.
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 Re: TBA Steering Head Bearings
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 130
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 130 |
Just replaced mine with tapers on my '02, 23,000 miles, and it's like riding a new bike.
"You just kinda wasted my precious time..."
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 Re: TBA Steering Head Bearings
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152 |
Quote:
Quote:
I'm getting my second set of stock bearings replaced to day using the allballs kit. I'd better check the torque specs.
What does the allballs kit consist of, Bill and where did you get it?
Parts Canada stocks them - their part number 399023. My dealer charged me $29.95. The kit consists of upper and lower bearings and seals - one of each is shown in the pic below. These are VERY solid and convincing items. I remember thinking that the triumph items i saw before they went on my bike were quite fragile looking. I'm sure the diameter is the same but the triumph items looked 1/8" or so high and these look at least twice that.
Dealer tech by the way confirmed that he had installed them before and knew the drill. 
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