Excessive Headstock Play

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GeorgeMoroz
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2017 2:21 pm
My Bike: ZXR 400 L3

Excessive Headstock Play

Post by GeorgeMoroz »

Hello All,

so i replaced my headstock bearings and tightened the castle nut as per the manual, however there was still play, so tightened it some more which got rid of the play but its back, is there a chance that the is because the bearings are still seating so i just keep adjusting it? or is there something darker like a bad headstock?

cheers
Ewetea
zxr400 oc member
zxr400 oc member
Posts: 148
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 12:04 pm
My Bike: ZXR400L5
Location: Newport Shropshire

Re: Excessive Headstock Play

Post by Ewetea »

When you installed the outer race of the bearings in the headstock they should have been pressed in until they seated on the internal shoulder. The usual technique is to use a thick piece of metal or hard wood laid across the outer race to smack it in. During that process, a "ringing" noise should be heard, which indicates that the race has reached the internal shoulder. If necessary, the old outer race can be positioned on the new one to ensure it is driven home - sometimes they seat just below the level of the headstock. Since you have slack appearing after a period of riding, it is likely that one of the outer races was not fully driven home. It is likely that it was the lower race. The weight of the bike is transmitted through that item, and with additional load under braking, it may be gradually creeping into the headstock. Either strip out the front end and make sure the race is seated, or keep checking the play until it is stable.
GeorgeMoroz
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2017 2:21 pm
My Bike: ZXR 400 L3

Re: Excessive Headstock Play

Post by GeorgeMoroz »

thanks for that! im going to tighten the castle nut until there is no play, if i then get play after that then ill strip the frint end. thanks again
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