tapered steering bearings removal

voelser

voelser

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While stripping the bike I discovered that somebody along the line had already replaced the stock bearings by tapered steering bearings. Good news as it saves me some money. However as I would like to have the lower yoke freshly powdercoated and the lower dust seal is torn I would like to remove the lower bearing. But I'm not sure you can (or should). I have really tried yet as I don't want to do any damage, but it seems pretty solid. So, can it be removed (I think the answer is yes), to be re-used and if so, what's the best way to do it?

Incidentally I have the same issue with the bearing cups in the frame: they are solidly in there, but I guess it is less of an issue to leave them in as in the inside won't be powdercoated anyway.

Thanks!
 

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Yes you can remove that bearing. I start by popping the whole thing in the freezer overnight then warming the bearing up very carefully. Then I have a thin tapered drift that slides in between the bearing and the top of the yoke. Make sure that you are tapping the inner race, not the outer, or you will damage the bearing. Take your time and it will start to move, once you have a good gap you can use a puller or a standard punch and tap it off.

The bearing cups need to be removed before powder coat. They are a press fit top and bottom. I use a long punch with a slight kink in the end which located against the top of the race. Tap all the way around the race and they will pop out.
 
Thanks For the reply Paul. That's what I thought. These things are always the things that hold me up as I don't have a proper workshop available. Fortunately I have a very nice motorbike mechanic (for vintage motorbikes) just around the corner. I will probably just ask him before I do damage...
 
haha...have one of those...well thumbed...so far the only issues I've had was getting the oilseals out of the fork legs, getting the pistons out of the brake calipers and getting this bearing out (you can see a trend here)...

Presumably putting the bearing cups back in and the lower bear back in place requires specialised tools and knowledge, so may have to get some more help then..

I would've preferred to be able to do it all myself, but I've already learned that is not always the best plan.
 
Hi, thats always a good sign ;)

Putting them back in is basically the reverse of taking them out. For the cups I use a cup drift i machined one day when i was bored but it can be very easily done by offering the cup level to the headstock and tapping evenly around it with a light hammer then finishing off by going round the edge with a punch to seat it home. You will know when it has as the sound of the hammer hitting the punch will change from a thud to a ding.

As for the bearing, drop the dust seal on, the slide the bearing down and tap it home on the inner race equally around it, til it seats at the bottom
 
On the lower yoke if it's still the stock seal remove the seal by stretching it (warm) over the bearing race. this reveals a notch that is an excellent place to start working the race up.
Unless the PO made a notch or slot the lower race in the neck is about impossible to remove. BUT you can drill two small holes through the neck at the angle were the neck size increases to hold the race. One hole on each side of the frame. Then you can insert a punch and get the race off it's seat and remove. I have done this and it's not at all hard to do. I have a picture of it on here..... somewhere. For your purposes I think I would just leave the race in the frame though.
 
I always remove them in case the races get a friendly touch from the blaster. They should be masked off but I'd rather be safe than sorry. I also find it easier to wash out any of the wayward blasting medium that finds its way into the head stock.

Also the baking process used in powder coating generates a lot of heat and I wouldn't want the races in there with that. Probably a bit anal I know, but I am a picky bugger ;)
 
That's what I assumed you meant. However if they prove too much of a pain to remove I may take my chances....if they get damaged during the powdercoating I'll have to replace them anyway...
 
I am analy clean and tidy, so I would probably clean every inch first anyway...I'll discuss it with the powdercoater as well...
 
I should get in the habit of putting them in an album here. I usually keep them on FB. So far it's not so much a build, but more of a teardown! I'll try and populate the album asap. I'm in Bermondsey, totally central.
 
Hah! I walk to the office...the bike(s) are just for fun....Luckily I have the Harley to get me around while I work on this one...;)
 
I popped my tree in the freezer, and then the bearing just dropped right down to the bottom when I reinstalled mine. just get the bearing at least to room temperature or slightly warmer.

Get the pics up! I'm not too far from London(about 30 odd miles North west on the A41 past Watford), and there are a couple more in my neighbourhood!:D
 

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