Head Stem Bearing

[JIM77]

-So I am trying to fit the bearing on the bottom of my steering stem, CR250 1996.

Found a piece of PVC and it was perfect diameter, put the stem in the freezer for a couple hours, wacking the bearing with PVC for a good 5-10mins and it is still a good 20mm from seating.

Any suggestions?

Obviously a press is the go, anyone in Brisbane got one and want to earn some beer money?

Doesn't surpise me actually that it is so tight, the original bearing I cut off with a dremel and it took some work to remove, when I finally got through it gave a loud crack from the pressure.

[Kenneth S (222)]

Hi Jim,
Don't know whether this will help or it was the right thing to do but I had this experience. I had to get some wheel bearings seated into the hubs of my trailer. I didn't have immediate access to a press but I had aluminium off cuts in my workshop. I cut some square tube in a size so all 4 corners sat on the perimeter of the bearing and bashed it with a very big hammer. I figured the aluminium was much softer than the hardened steel of the bearing. It worked and so far so good.
Ken

[JIM77]

The problem with tappered bearings, is you can only hit the centre of the bearing.

I could have heated it and froze the stem, but you can't pack them properly when they are installed.

Might have to just find a shop that doesn't have a drama fitting a bearing that wasn't purchased there.

[PEZBerq]

Most welcome to use my Supercheap Auto press. Does my steering stem bearings piece of piss. PVC won't cut it though! PM me if you want to use it. I am in Chapel Hill.
I have also found bike shops more than happy to press on bearings for a small fee. Cheers.

[smed]

Sorry to ask a dumb question but are you using the correct size bearing,the upper & lower have a different part #,perhaps indicating a different I.D.,just a thought 

http://www.powersportspro.com/pages/OemParts?aribrand=HOM#/Honda/CR250R_A_(96)_MOTORCYCLE%2c_JPN%2c_VIN%23_JH2ME030-TM800001/STEERING_STEM_95-96/CR250R-96-JPN-A/2Y14KZ3LKZ34F0401AB

[crs-and-rms]

find some pipe that is the same diameter as the center of the bearing lube bearing first and lube  the stem and hit it on you dont need to use a press most bike shops use this method

[TT5 Matt]

like cr rms said and if the pipe is going to damage the bearing cage just chaffer it with the grinder till it claers the bearing cage and use a tad of oil on the stem and bearing as well

[JIM77]

Sorry to ask a dumb question but are you using the correct size bearing,the upper & lower have a different part #,perhaps indicating a different I.D.,just a thought 

http://www.powersportspro.com/pages/OemParts?aribrand=HOM#/Honda/CR250R_A_(96)_MOTORCYCLE%2c_JPN%2c_VIN%23_JH2ME030-TM800001/STEERING_STEM_95-96/CR250R-96-JPN-A/2Y14KZ3LKZ34F0401AB

Yeah mate, I'm onto that 95-96 models have different diameter top and bottom. I put the races in first to be sure.

[JIM77]

PVC won't cut it though!

Yep, you got that right. Oldfart, who is quite a clever dick by the way, gave me a bush mechanic idea using a long bolt through the centre of the shaft, and some large washers top and bottom to basically wind the sucker on. The PVC just collapsed.

I think it is time to do it right and press the stem out, off to the shop monday. Thanks for the offer of your press.

Pretty sure they might fit it from the bottom and press the shaft back in to seat the bearing? Maybe they are just to tight pressing from the top of the shaft, its a mile of fitting.

I've had another look at it and I reckon it is almost scoring the shaft, need to get the bearing off now without stuffing it and clean the burrs up on the shaft.

For the record Its a pivot works kit.

[PEZBerq]

Should press on over the stem. They will use a pipe of the right size to push it on. Hopefully they will not bash it with a hammer but use the press! Butchery should not be encouraged by professional motorcycle workshops.

[crs-and-rms]

park make a tool  that slides over the stem it has four differnt collers to fit different size bearings  its made to HIT  bearing on ,it pushes on the inner coller of the bearing this dose not damage bearing at all , its not BUTCHERY  its how its done two hits and its all over  ,the press is used to push the stem out to remove the old bearing  some older stems are welded in and can not be pushed out a bearing remover is used if it can be some times the steering stops in the lower clamp stops it from being used so it the outer part of the bearing is removed inner coller heated and tapped off  or ground haft way through and then when tapped it splits and slides off

[JIM77]

Got the bearing pressed on today by a Bike shop close to work, small place, mostly shit boxes for sale there. $10 job done.

Except, old mate was a butcher, damaged the outer bearing, still O.K, Just. The old saying is true "If you want something done....."

Live and learn, next head stem bearing I'll make sure I've got a press handy, and the right size pipe.