Kawi2strokes.com Forum

Looks like the lower steering head bearing is exposed to the weather unless I am missing something. Looking up at the bottom of the steering head tube from below you can see the rollers of a roller bearing. Looks bone dry and maybe even a little rusty. Is this how they are? How do you keep them lubricated and keep dirt out?

Thanks, Rusty34

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Tried firing every stroke and every other stroke, every stroke is better.

3 H2's, all stock
Seats by Tony O'Connor, they're gorgeous
H2B, converted to H2C
75 Paint & Decals by Brian H
75 Euro Seat by Tony O'Connor
Eldorado Motorcycle Seats, Australia

Stock head bearings are ball, so someone changed them to roller, which is pretty common. I wouldn't think you should be able to see the rollers though, so it sounds like you need to take it apart and see why things aren't seating/assembled correctly.

I get crap for it, but I put a grease fitting on my head tube around 1979, and keep my stock head bearings greased that way. They are the originals, and are still smooth and not notched from wear.

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If it surges, that's normal, upshift.

Jim; haven't I read that some owners also tap their m.c. swingarms (if not already done) Sounds wise, or "at least shouldn't hurt"?

Redline Motorsports sells a cheap tapered steering bearing seal set...like $6.
Maybe a good option?

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Greg

I thought that was too good to be true, it's the seals that are 6 bucks, the bearing set is $31.60. That's about the going price...

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We don't need no stinkin' Cams!

Looks like the tapered roller bearing kits are actually available in both styles, with or without seals. Or bearings and seals are also sold separately in some cases. Always install roller bearings to upgrade OEM ball bearings?

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Tried firing every stroke and every other stroke, every stroke is better.

3 H2's, all stock
Seats by Tony O'Connor, they're gorgeous
H2B, converted to H2C
75 Paint & Decals by Brian H
75 Euro Seat by Tony O'Connor
Eldorado Motorcycle Seats, Australia

Rollers are much better and longer lasting. That's just a given when I build a bikes.

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Twist the throttle, tilt the horizon, and have a great time. What triples are all about...........

I got mine from Larry, about 40 bucks with shipping - he's great to deal with.

I remember some discussion about tapers and bottom dust cover but I don't see a cover in the fiche. Actually I don't see the top one either but I have one on my H2. I don't remember what's on the bottom tree but I have something there feels rubbery like a seal I would have put on or something - I just don't remember - but I do like the tapers. The ball bearings were always a PITA anyway.

The one thing that changed with tapers was extra length the stem takes and leave a small gap on the fork ears - just enough to make them loose. Lots of ways around that, I think some folks used 30mm rubber washers and such to fill it in. I did the Ace Hardware thing and found a 30mm rubber washer in the plumbing section - did the trick for .45 cents

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This is true. Where I grew up the hills were so steep and long, when your ball rolled down the hill you just said "screw it"...