Just re-greased the steering head bearings on my TE. Since I don't have the correct tool to be able to torque the bearing nut correctly (I'm just using a drift) any tips on ensuring it is torqued correctly ? It's not meant to be super tight so I was planning on over-tightening it to seat the bearings and then backing it off until there was no movement in the head - sound good ? TIA...
I always adjust the bearing nut so that the front end will glide smoothly from lock to lock with just a little push off center)with the front end off the ground). If, after I tighten the top nut, the steering becomes too tight, I loosen the top nut and back off the bearing nut till the front end achieves the right tension with the top nut tightened. If the bearings are too tight, the bike will actually want to hunt and weave in a straight line.
On this same topi, I did my bearings last night and was looking in the owners manual for the torque specs for my 08 TE and it lists 2 items, but I'm not totally sure which is which.... "Steering bearings adjusting ring nut = 2.5 ft/lb" "Steering pivot fastening nut = 61.4 ft/lb" I'm assuming the ring with notches for a special tool (I used a large pliers) is the 2.5 ft/lb, and the large nut on top of the ring is the 61.4 ft/lb?
61 seems like a lot. Is that nut aluminum or was it just the lower one? I can't remember. I used blue loctite and good measure of caution. On the bearing nut, I apply some light torque with the channel locks while I'm turning the bars slowly back and forth. That will seat the bearing. Then back off a smidge. I like the bars to be able to fall on their own to the stop when pushed off center. Some like a little drag. I think it's a matter of personal preference.
