| Author | Message | ||
     Sgthigg |
Is this possible on an xb?? If so how to you do it? | ||
| Xring |
You have to get the front wheel off the ground. Loosen and remove the pinch bolt on the top triple clamp; loosen and remove the 4 lower triple clamp bolts that hold the forks (2 on each side). Don't loosen the top triple clamp fork bolts...the forks easily slide up and down in the triple clamp when the bottom bolts are loose. On "S" models you must remove the handlebar clamp (4 bolts) and slide the bars out of the way to get to the center steering head bolt. Once you get to it, the steering head bearing is adjusted by tightening the center bolt to specific torque. I'm going from memory but the high torque spec is 42 foot pounds, I think. Correct adjustment is checked by using a spring scale (I use a trigger scale; I guess you could use a fish scale). Turn the bars all the way one way; hook the spring scale on the edge of the front axle; pull to turn the wheel to the other stop. Spec is (memory again) 2 to 7 pounds. If you have already tightened the steering head to the max torque and can't obtain the correct 2-7 lb. pull, the steering head bearings need replaced. While the wheel in off the ground check the motion for notchiness or a tendency to stop or center; which would indicate dented races. Hope it makes sense. It is an easy job. Edit: The service manual calls for red loctite (272) on at least some of the bolts at reinstallation. I can't remember, maybe all of them. I prefer using blue (242). Plus there are, of course, torque specs for every bolt that you loosened or removed. A previous post says that the center pinch bolt can break you upper triple clamp, so be careful with it. Good luck, Bill (Message edited by xring on July 06, 2006) | ||
| Sgthigg |
thank you very much!! (Message edited by sgthigg on July 06, 2006) | ||
| Ara |
While you're doing this I recommend that you at least check the grease in the steering head bearing. Buell has been notorious for years for using insufficient grease in the bearings, something that proved true on my own bike. | ||
| Odinbueller |
XB steering head bearing are sealed, and not serviceable or adjustable. There is a "bearing preload" setting based on steering stem torque & measuring resistance from full lock to center with a fish scale. Check the FSM for this, as the XB specs have changed each model year since its inception. |
