steering bearing replacement

  • blink543
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steering bearing replacement

15 Nov 2015 17:27
#698850
I took out the steering column and the ball bearings fell out. I'm missing 1. But I see online there's replacement bearings that aren't ball bearings? They are called all balls?
Adam james

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  • SWest
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Re: steering bearing replacement

15 Nov 2015 17:31
#698853
That's the distributor. Have you completed all the other projects yet? One thing at a time, then move on.
Steve
Z1b1000 1975 Z1b
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229

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  • JimB
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Re: steering bearing replacement

15 Nov 2015 17:34
#698854
Yes,...ALL BALLS bearings are what I installed on my 78 KZ1000 and I am very happy with them. If fact I am not sure you can even get real ball bearing bearing replacements any longer. I ordered mine from Z1 enterprises but you can get them from multiple sources. They are easy to install also. Don't even bother putting the old ones back in,...go with the upgraded ALL BALLS bearings.
Jim
1978 KZ1000A2, 1980 KZ1000E, 1980 KZ1000B4 LTD

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  • blink543
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Re: steering bearing replacement

15 Nov 2015 17:51
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JimB wrote: Yes,...ALL BALLS bearings are what I installed on my 78 KZ1000 and I am very happy with them. If fact I am not sure you can even get real ball bearing bearing replacements any longer. I ordered mine from Z1 enterprises but you can get them from multiple sources. They are easy to install also. Don't even bother putting the old ones back in,...go with the upgraded ALL BALLS bearings.
Jim

Alright will do but I'm not sure how to put them in
Adam james

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  • SWest
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Re: steering bearing replacement

15 Nov 2015 17:59
#698861
Look in your manual.
Steve
Z1b1000 1975 Z1b
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229

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  • JimB
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Re: steering bearing replacement

15 Nov 2015 18:09
#698862
There are also plenty of You tube videos that show how. Search for "ALL BALLS steering bearing replacement" and you'll get lots of hits.
1978 KZ1000A2, 1980 KZ1000E, 1980 KZ1000B4 LTD

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  • jenkrider
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Re: steering bearing replacement

15 Nov 2015 18:56
#698867
A press may help with the races on the steering stem. I had a local shop press the top one on for me, took about 20 seconds. Definitely don't get out the sledgehammer unless you know what you are doing.
Definitely take the time to carefully remove the factory bearings/races and save all the parts till you have the All Balls bearings installed. It will help you get everything in the right order.
76' KZ900
00' KLR650
82' XV920 Virago
74' Ironhead Sportster

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  • Patton
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Re: steering bearing replacement

15 Nov 2015 22:32 - 15 Nov 2015 22:34
#698883
Replacing the stock ball bearings in the steering head with tapered roller bearing is a common "upgrade," because the tapered roller bearings with more contact area are less prone to creating dimples in the races.

May view some examples of tapered roller bearings in this link to Z1E offerings:
Click here > www.z1enterprises.com/ListItems.aspx?keywords=steering+bearing

Good Fortune! :)
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
Last edit: 15 Nov 2015 22:34 by Patton.

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  • blink543
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Re: steering bearing replacement

16 Nov 2015 12:09
#698975
Patton wrote: Replacing the stock ball bearings in the steering head with tapered roller bearing is a common "upgrade," because the tapered roller bearings with more contact area are less prone to creating dimples in the races.

May view some examples of tapered roller bearings in this link to Z1E offerings:
Click here > www.z1enterprises.com/ListItems.aspx?keywords=steering+bearing

Good Fortune! :)

What size bearings do I need for the steering and also what size bearings do I need for the swing arm because I'm gonna have to replace those too
Adam james

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  • TexasKZ
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Re: steering bearing replacement

16 Nov 2015 13:51
#698984
Just go to the Z1E or All Balls website and order them for your bike's year, make and model.
1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough

www.kzrider.com/11-projects/620336-anoth...uild-thread?start=24

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  • RonKZ650
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Re: steering bearing replacement

16 Nov 2015 17:23
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I put the tapered bearings in 3 KZ650s, and a KZ1000 and can't say I could tell any real improvement. They were before the Chinese all balls though, so maybe chinese bearings have a better feel :P. As to the swing arm bearings, why do you think virtually everything needs to be replaced? They used 4 good quality needle bearings in the 78. Those aren't bad I'll wager to bet. The 77 with the sleeve, yes, it's bad, but 78 the bearings most likely are fine.
321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.

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  • blink543
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Re: steering bearing replacement

16 Nov 2015 18:24
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RonKZ650 wrote: I put the tapered bearings in 3 KZ650s, and a KZ1000 and can't say I could tell any real improvement. They were before the Chinese all balls though, so maybe chinese bearings have a better feel :P. As to the swing arm bearings, why do you think virtually everything needs to be replaced? They used 4 good quality needle bearings in the 78. Those aren't bad I'll wager to bet. The 77 with the sleeve, yes, it's bad, but 78 the bearings most likely are fine.

Well one side of the swing arms bearings are rusted frozen. I'm just replacing them since I have it apart. Because I don't wanna have to take this apart again anytime soon.
Adam james

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