Hitchcocks Forum

Guys: Has any one replaced the stering head race on a 2003 sixty five?
I don't know if the current set up fitted to this one is the origonal one or not, is a ball bearing type with the usual ball bearing / cup set up along with plastic dust covers on both top and bottom bearings (untill i took the yolks apart was unaware was a ball bearing set up i thought would have been a tapper roller set up (same as the new parts i got from HM) all the new components seem to be the wrong kit The new set consists of two taper rollers with cups (so far -so good) and two, what seems to be over size cups (lower cup, outer dia would interfere with down tube (result in not fitting snug in the frame) also are too large to hold the taper roller bearings, there is also a third component which ain't sure where this fits. Can any one shed any light on this please. Or is it just the wrong part ? have you had same problem? did you keep with the ball bearing set up rather that taper roller set up?

Cheers
Guru

Did you think about contacting the supplier?


But I do have to wonder why you have bought new head bearings? They are adjustable, you know?

Does the exploded view in the parts catologue explain it better for you?

Tim: Changing the existing head race was, it would have faild its anual MOT check, here in the UK all bikes registered for the road post 1st Jan 1960 require a test of road worthyness, the bike will fail the test if the stering is found faulty. My sixty five steering was fully tight, but still had a notch when turning the bars from side to side (dead cert for fail, of coures you loose your £25 test fee in the bargain aswell). The supplier is my next step on my list, but thought i would get other comments first. The supplyer is Hitchcocks, so you would think all would go straight forward, but don't look that way.

Just to say received new head set Saturday morning, 29th Aug. ther'e closed on Saturdays & Sundays, Monday 31st was a bank holliday so again closed, today Monday 1st Sep is fist day Hitchcocks are back in the office

But all input will help....

Cheers
Guru

Guru, the bearing race cups/loose balls and dust covers are the standard set up. Depending on wear all you need is a bag of 38 balls, 19 top and 19 bottom, new races if needed.