Steering Stem Bearings ???

I'm replacing the bent front forks on my 1980 KZ750H1 LTD. The fork assembly that I'm going to use to replace my bent unit has had a roller bearing conversion. It really don't seem as if it was the greatest job ever. Would I be better off to just use my loose ball type bearing assembly or try to replace the races and bearings with roller style ? I'm leaning towards just using the loose balls because then I wouldn't have to buy more new stuff.

There have been pros and cons to this subject. As a mech I can clearly see the advantage of tapered bearings, larger contact area vs balls. But with no real spinning (as in wheel bearings) and only about 1/4 turn with bars I think that properly greased and adjusted ball bearings will last forever. Mine are 28 years old and are smooth as silk with no flat spots.

I'm a machinest / mechanic and the load bearing capabilites of the roller bearings are MUCH greater .... but .... I'm not going to heavily load my little 750 and I'm not gonna race it so .... I'm going to just stick with the balls. I've miked each and every ball top and bottom. Inspected the cones and cups ... no disscernable damage. Balls it is ... Thanks Blue ... I guess I just needed a quick second opinion !!! :woohoo:

First pothole you hit the ball bearings and/or races are already damaged enough to be felt. All my motorcycles, whithin 1000 miles of new I could prop up the front wheel, turn the forks and have a nice "detent" exactly at the straight ahead position. Now maybe we just have rotten roads here in Colorado, but I'd use tapered.:laugh:

I know what your saying Ron, maybe I've just better "balls" than you! :woohoo: Seriously, after 53,000mi and 28 years and a few potholes and such, I raise my front wheel and everything is smooth as silk and It's never been apart since 1980. :blink: I do agree that if a person wants to spend the few bucks and a couple hours work it is a good investment. If I ever have a problem with mine I will change to tapered.

Post edited by: Bluemeanie, at: 2008/02/19 19:52

28 years and never been apart? Does that mean you have never greased the steering bearings? If so then you have been skipping a big part of routine maintenance.

Yea, I know. Maybe I got a "good" bike or something. Never had the stem apart yet smooth as silk with no loosness. It's getting a new triple tree since the accident so everything will be lubed now.

LMAO ... kawtoy I just noticed this in your signature "Harley Davidson - converting gasoline into obnoxious noise without the harmful effects of horse power since 1903 " .... Someone should make that into a T-shirt !!!

Anyways ... I am checking on new taper roller bearings at work. The upper bearing is marked 30k and the lower one 30kw they have a 30mm I.D. but no manufacture name. Are these just standard bearings as available from any parts supply store ? I have yet to remove the races from the parts bike so ...... ??????

Last summer during my first rebuild of this old Kaw. I carefully checked the balls and cups and cones, cleaned, lubed and adjusted everything and all seemed well until the KZ-vs-tractor incedent ... Oh well

And now I seem to have a bit of a dilema. I am still leaning towards just using the loose balls on the replacement front end ... the Kawasaki engineers thought they were OK. And they built some GREAT bikes !!!

z1 has these >>>


Steering bearing SSK400 30x48x14 30x52x17
KL31-5834

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Fits Kawasaki Z1 KZ900 KZ1000A1/A2/A2A/A3/A3A/A4 KZ1000B1/B2/B3/B4 KZ1000C1/C1A/C2/C3/C4/D1/D3 KZ650 KZ750B1/B2/B3/B4/E1/E2/E3 KZ750/H1/H2/H3/H4/G1 KZ550 EX500

$42.72

Is this a good price .... seems a bit pricey ???

i saw that one then i found this one
www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=2780
for 36$ same bearing plus seals less money ??????? :woohoo: :S :S :S

Post edited by: btchalice, at: 2008/02/20 08:04

Well, I've decided not to be a cheap azz and get ahold of Z1 and ask them what thier recomendation would be. I drove the loose ball races out of my steering stem today so now I'm locked in to buying a new set of roller bearings.

I just made a sizable payment on the plastic Friday ... so as soon as that payment clears I'll be making my first order from Z1 !!!!

Good choice Dale.

I did the tapered swap a few years ago on my bike,and yes...it made a world of difference.
And the front end with the factory bearings in it,had no play at all.
When I pulled it all apart,I did notice some wear on the cups.Not much but it was there.
The conversion was so unexpectedly noticable,I couldn't believe it.The front end was completely different,and flowed so nicely in the twisties...BIG difference!