Wonder, would anyone have a tool to remove the steering head race on a K11?

A steel bar, approx 10"/255mm long, with a notch ground out of it near the end for getting under the edge of the outer race, and a short slice of it taken out mid-stem - opposite the end notch - which allows for the proper angle at the stubborn race, does wonders. This one's stainless steel and has been used for yonks on Airheads and K bikes.


I've also moved the thread from Troubleshooting - General to Troubleshooting - Special Tools and Jigs.

Easy and quick: weld a bead on the race. The retreat will contract the race and it will fall down by itself.
Use arc welding, it's the sudden heat that makes it happen.
Don't forget to disconnect the ground wire before!

Done both; they are as good as each other. The arc bead is probably easier.

Thanks Guys , is there a better picture of that tool?

Reg wrote:Thanks Guys , is there a better picture of that tool?

Grind a 'place of purchase' into the tip like this.

On the opposite side of the shaft from your tip grinding endeavour, about halfway up the shaft, make a cut-out so the shaft can be tilted enough to properly get under the outer race. One or two good blows with a solid hammer will send that ring flying.

You'll likely hardly ever need it again, but in lieu of access to a welder (not in the average homeowner's arsenal) you'll be the envy of the neighbourhood, and of your tool-deprived, bearing removal needy friends. No one will kick sand in your eyes again. Charles Atlas be damned.

I am also in the process of replacing the steering column bearings. Welding a bead worked well to get the cups out.  Is there any trick to get the bottom inner race off easily?



Then this is what I did to get the front wheel assembly out without dismantling the unit. I took the rear wheel off and hung a counter weight on the back to lift the front. Have someone hold the assembly as it slides out:

Cut through the roller cage with a Dremel, have fun chasing the loose rollers round the bench and then slot through the inner race with the same Dremel until you think you are nearly through to the stem. Finally, split the inner race with a hammer and cold chisel.

At least, that's how I do it.

Rolf E wrote:I am also in the process of replacing the steering column bearings. Welding a bead worked well to get the cups out.  Is there any trick to get the bottom inner race off easily?
 

Use an hydraulic press to separate the axle from the triple tree by sliding downwards. The inner race will be removed.
Don't forget to mark the position of the axle to the triple tree to respect it when re-assembling.

jbt wrote: 
Use an hydraulic press to separate the axle from the triple tree by sliding downwards. The inner race will be removed.
Don't forget to mark the position of the axle to the triple tree to respect it when re-assembling.

Thanks Dai. That is also what I would do or give is sudden high heat (after removing the race) and try to wedge it up sufficiently to allow puller jaws to grab the inner race.

But, jbt, now you have mentioned something I have never heard or thought of! Is my understanding correct in the following picture? 



If so does the axle have splines? what keeps it in position? What stops it from going the other way over time?

Looking forward to hear from you.

Hi Dai, the Clymer manual also mentions jbt's method. I took a good look at it and gave it a go. It worked well. The K75 is back on the road and I am enjoying every minute of it. No more "looseness" up front.

Ah well. For me, it was a carry-over from removing the lower race from Moto Guzzis. In that case the recommended way is to pull/cut the lower rubber dust shield off and then using a couple of blunt cold-chisels or similar as wedges, hammer them into the small gap left by the dust cover to lift the race. As that very rarely worked (or not easily), over the years I migrated to using a hacksaw to split the race, then an angle-grinder (!!!) and finally a Dremel. On seeing my first K100 steering head bearing, my first and only thought was 'Guzzi Method No.4'. Three bearing down so far, but I'll take a look at the 'official' method next time.

The k11 will be tip top shortly , parts on the way .. built for lots of miles done quickly

Great, hope all goes well and you can enjoy your brick as much as I am enjoying mine.