Ive read everything I could find in a search.. steering head

My steering head bearings fell apart.. From what ive read im thinking someone already upgraded mine to the sealed bearing. Here is a pic of what fell out when I took it apart.. wheres the cheapest place to get a replacement quick? Someone had mentioned finding them at a wholesaler for like ten bucks. I intended to go for a ride wednesday so I dont think shipping is an option.. and im VERY tight on funds right now.. they said the stock ones are really cheap.. can I switch it back? Its an 81 xj550 maxim.

 

I priced mine from yamaha and they were pretty cheap..I dont know if you can get the tapperd bearing but thats what I was pricing for around $23 bucks..seals and dust covers were nt to bad either..lookis like you may have the tapperd system already..well correct me if im wrong but I believ that ricko said you could get the loose bearing from a hard wear store..I would also check the races for pitting and clean them up nice with some emery..do a forum search and you could probably find that thread..hope this helps..ridz 8)

 

You want the SSY 500 kit from All Balls - that's the specific steering head bearing kit for our bikes.

The ones pictured are destroyed - likely from improper and insufficient greasing and packing. It's mighty likely the races are damaged too, so you'll want to replace the whole bunch anyway.

Dealers can normally get the above kit quick and cheap for around 30 or 40 bucks. It's usually just a catalogue order.

 

I was hoping to get it tomorrow as I have a ride scheduled for wednesday.. any other suggestions on how I could get this locally tomorrow?

 

Take all the pieces to a local bearing supply house. Be very polite, hope that they're not busy, and they have the bearings on hand.


Don't get your hopes up. :roll:


The only quick-fix is to reinstall the OEM loose-ball races and bearings.

That is very bad advice: any pitting/tracking/visible wear to a bearing race means that it goes straight into the recycling bin. All of it gets tossed, no fudging allowed.

Even if you could somehow persuade the races back into a smooth condition, the hard-facing on the bearing face is long gone, and the races are now the wrong profile for the bearing's rolling elements.

 

Hmmm... are bearing supply houses common? Honestly I have worked on cars my whole life and ive never so much as heard of one.. guess ill find out if theres one in the area tomorrow.. thanks