Steering head bearings loose?

[Galo]

Two questions: what are the symptoms from possibly loose steering head bearings and how does one adjust them? '01 Sprint ST.....
Thanks in advance....

[kevin_stevens]

The most overt signs are usually a click or feeling of shifting in the forks under braking.  This is either that the fork stem nut isn't torques properly, the steering head bearings aren't torqued properly, or there's been a catastrophic failure in one of the races.

The symptoms of worn bearings are roughness in steering side to side, a noticeably "notch" on steering center, and possibly a slow weave at highway speed.

KeS

[Tar Snake]

Hi,

My RS when new had the "click" or "thunk" when braking you can check for this just by rolling the bike around and grabbing the front brake. At the time I was worried about the warranty so I was having the shop service the bike and despite my mentioning it more than once, they never adjusted it, so I did.

I can't remember whether or not I removed the tank, but I'm pretty sure I had to to get clearance for the wrench. Anyhow, loosen the handlebars, top triple clamp, and remove the locknut on the top of the steering stem. Right beneath the triple clamp is the adjusting nut. I tightened it till it was just snug and then backed off a bit, 1/8 turn or so. Then I tightened everything up and it's been fine for years.

The only tricky part is most wrenches are too fat to fit under the triple clamp. You could remove the handlebars and triple clamp, or go get a bicycle headset wrench which is stamped steel and very thin. Headset wrenches are sized for various size headsets and you should be able to find a slot that fits. Remember you're not wrenching on the adjusting nut, just getting it snug and back off till the steering feels free.

[SprintSTboy]

I recently have noticed this on my bike after having a new clutch cable and levers installed.  Would they have messed with the steering head while changing out those items?

[bomber]

they shouldn't have had to mess with the sterring head to replace (stock) cables, but it's easy to check/adjust, and no harm in doing so.

Break out the spanners

[playinatwork2]

Digging up an old thread here. Does anyone know the size of the steering head bearings? I would like to be able to pick some up at the local bearing house.