Steering Stem Bearing Lube

[kevperro]

Looking over the manual it recommends lubing the steering stem bearing every 2 years.    That seems excessive to me.   Even on my dirt bikes, I've run for many years without giving it a thought and I cannot say I've ever had the need to replace a steering head bearing.    On a recreational street bike that rarely is in the rain that seems over the top.   

I'm out of warranty so I think there should be a common sense PM thread based on what we see as owners of these bikes.   

Oil & Filter Change:  Yearly - 5K miles
Air Filter:  Inspect every year - Change @ 15K
Plugs: Change @ 15K
Coolant: 5 years (check pH and reserve alkalinity if you have the ability)
Valves:  Check @ 25K
Brake Fluid:  Change every 3 years
Forks:  Fluid Change every 3-years - inspect seals yearly
Shock: Service it with the forks.

The manual once again have you replacing all the rubber parts of the master cylinder and caliper on what I consider an excessive level.   If you race your bike and live on the brakes I understand that.   For the average recreational street rider, I find that excessive.    I'd inspect them when changing the fluid and when changing pads I'd consider rebuilding the caliper at that time. 

Any comments? 

[Zaniac948]

Generally speaking, I agree with your "on condition" approach but my 2019 has only 10 thousand + miles right now. I changed spark plugs and checked the air cleaner at a little over 9 thousand. I change oil and filter every 35-4000 miles. I'll check the valves at 18,000 and change plugs also. My air cleaner was still bright red and had only a narrow strip of contaminant where the main air flow is. I brushed it lightly and GENTLY blew it clean with low pressure air. I lube the chain every 500 miles or so and adjust according to slack. If you haven't yet, do a search here on valve adj,, plugs and air cleaner etc. as many members here have 40 thousand plus miles on their machines. 

[Marco]

The difference changing your fork oil makes is very noticeable.

[Zaniac948]

Originally Posted by Marco

The difference changing your fork oil makes is very noticeable.

Did you stay with the same weight oil?

[kevperro]

I didn't pull apart my forks.   I sent them off to James Daugherty along with the shock to have them sprung to my weight and the valving modified to match.     He is a mechanical engineer and owns Sonic Springs, and puts them on a shock dyno to confirm the valving/spring system and the fluid is part of that equation.    Changing it will impact the dampening/compression of the spring/valving system but you are kind of shooting in the dark when you make those changes.   I think in my case the JD method is overkill for how I ride but my OCD kicked in.   

[zed9]

Originally Posted by kevperro

I didn't pull apart my forks.   I sent them off to James Daugherty along with the shock to have them sprung to my weight and the valving modified to match.     He is a mechanical engineer and owns Sonic Springs, and puts them on a shock dyno to confirm the valving/spring system and the fluid is part of that equation.    Changing it will impact the dampening/compression of the spring/valving system but you are kind of shooting in the dark when you make those changes.   I think in my case the JD method is overkill for how I ride but my OCD kicked in.

I’ve used Daugherty twice now. Once on another bike and once for my z900. He even pre-sets the preload and clickers. I now have a nice factory full suspension for the price of a mid grade shock alone. Couldn’t be happier.

[kevperro]

Originally Posted by zed9

I’ve used Daugherty twice now. Once on another bike and once for my z900. He even pre-sets the preload and clickers. I now have a nice factory full suspension for the price of a mid grade shock alone. Couldn’t be happier.

Yea.... you're the reason I'm $650 in the hole!   LOL...   

I took apart and inspected my clutch today and lubed all my cables.    I'll eventually get to that steering stem bearing. 

[zed9]

Originally Posted by kevperro

Yea.... you're the reason I'm $650 in the hole!   LOL...   

I took apart and inspected my clutch today and lubed all my cables.    I'll eventually get to that steering stem bearing.

Well alright. 👍
The steering head bearings shouldn’t need attention for twenty thousand miles but should you ever have need to work in that area by all means check them out and add grease. The manufacturers are notorious for not lubing them enough at the factory. They probably don’t want grease showing on the showroom floor. I clean them then pack the grease in.

[kevperro]

Originally Posted by zed9

Well alright. 👍
The steering head bearings shouldn’t need attention for twenty thousand miles but should you ever have need to work in that area by all means check them out and add grease. The manufacturers are notorious for not lubing them enough at the factory. They probably don’t want grease showing on the showroom floor. I clean them then pack the grease in.

It also has me thinking about pulling that swingarm pivot point out and lubing all the moving pieces in the rear.   

[zed9]

Originally Posted by kevperro

It also has me thinking about pulling that swingarm pivot point out and lubing all the moving pieces in the rear.   

Of the one I’ve seen, there’s even less grease there. Most I’ve owned had a grease fitting. There’s a big void to fill before the grease hits the bearings.