1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Symptoms of bad headstem bearings

Discussion in 'Kawasaki 250cc In-line 4's' started by edwardo, Jun 18, 2015.

  1. edwardo

    edwardo Well-Known Member Contributing Member

    Messages:
    373
    Likes Received:
    192
    Trophy Points:
    273
    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2012
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Teacher
    Location:
    Adelaide
    My Bike:
    srx250
    Hey guys how are we all?
    I had a shuddering front end on heavy braking and some pulsing brakes, so I cleaned up my callipers, regreased the slides and threw in new pads.
    No more squeaky and pulsing brakes, and a lot of the shuddering has gone but the front still doesn't feel 100% under heavy braking.
    Could this be my headstem bearings? I think my triple tree seems to make a rattle noise over sharp bumps, might be something else just not too sure. My tyres are at 34psi.
    Thanks in advance guys.
     
  2. maelstrom

    maelstrom LiteTek Staff Member Premium Member 250cc Vendor Contributing Member

    Messages:
    5,102
    Likes Received:
    3,472
    Trophy Points:
    1,148
    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2012
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Thailand
    Home Page:
    My Bike:
    Yamaha FZR400 3TJ1, Honda MC22
    • Raise the front wheel off the ground.
    • Take hold of the lower fork legs and try to rock the front end back and forth. If there is any movement the bearings are loose.
    • Rotate the steering. Any notchiness means the bearings need to be replaced. If they are just stiff then the bearings have been overtightened.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  3. edwardo

    edwardo Well-Known Member Contributing Member

    Messages:
    373
    Likes Received:
    192
    Trophy Points:
    273
    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2012
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Teacher
    Location:
    Adelaide
    My Bike:
    srx250
    Cheers for the info. I have heard of failing bearings being notchy lock to lock but wasn't too sure about the front-back movement.
    While I'm here, anyone have tips for raising the front end of the bike? I only have a front stand that goes under the forks. I can't really smash in hooks in my shed roof as its a rental too. Anyone have experience using a jack under the sump? I'd wanna use an off cut of timber to spread the load.
    Cheers
     
  4. Murdo

    Murdo The Good Doctor Staff Member Contributing Member Ride and Events Crew

    Messages:
    6,397
    Likes Received:
    4,785
    Trophy Points:
    1,148
    Joined:
    May 4, 2013
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Tamworth, NSW
    My Bike:
    1937 Royal Enfield 250, CF Moto 250 V5, Honda's XL250, CBR250, FT500 plus a few others.
    Jack on timber under sump works fine.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  5. edwardo

    edwardo Well-Known Member Contributing Member

    Messages:
    373
    Likes Received:
    192
    Trophy Points:
    273
    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2012
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Teacher
    Location:
    Adelaide
    My Bike:
    srx250
    Thanks mate :)
     
  6. Jake89

    Jake89 Active Member Premium Member Contributing Member

    Messages:
    245
    Likes Received:
    192
    Trophy Points:
    173
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2014
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Being awesome.
    Location:
    Wagga wagga
    My Bike:
    Zxr250
    I've tried the jack used the sump and just couldn't seem to get it to balance.
     
  7. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

    Messages:
    9,066
    Likes Received:
    6,872
    Trophy Points:
    1,168
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2010
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Brisbane
    I use some wood to balance the load on the sump, also helps to have a friend to assist
     
  8. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

    Messages:
    10,914
    Likes Received:
    6,708
    Trophy Points:
    1,168
    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2012
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Between a Rock and a Hard Place
    Location:
    North by NW NSW Oztralia - Tamworth
    My Bike:
    *Kawasaki ZXR250C *Yamaha FZR250R 3LN1 *Yamaha FZR400 *Triumph Bonneville 750 T140V *Triumph Daytona 675 *Triumph Tiger 800XC
    fzr1.jpeg
     
    • Like Like x 1
  9. Jake89

    Jake89 Active Member Premium Member Contributing Member

    Messages:
    245
    Likes Received:
    192
    Trophy Points:
    173
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2014
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Being awesome.
    Location:
    Wagga wagga
    My Bike:
    Zxr250

    Ah yes... Well that's the problem right there... I don't have any friends...
     
    • Like Like x 2
  10. Phil

    Phil Senior Member Contributing Member

    Messages:
    3,613
    Likes Received:
    1,549
    Trophy Points:
    923
    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2010
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    M C E
    Location:
    Sunshine Coast Qld
    Home Page:
    My Bike:
    Suzuki GT250X7 Kawasaki ZZR600
    How wrong you are, you've made plenty of friends here on the forum. Feel certain someone will give you a hand, I would but our Nations Capitol is a little too far for me up here in Queensland. SOS.... can anyone help out!!!
     
  11. Hamz

    Hamz Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    81
    Likes Received:
    85
    Trophy Points:
    203
    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2015
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Security Tech
    Location:
    Perth
    My Bike:
    CBR250RR
    Moo and myself did mine the other day, yes that sounds like bearings gone to me. Someone on here will help surely. Just remember to provide the beer ;)
     
  12. pwo9

    pwo9 Member

    Messages:
    77
    Likes Received:
    55
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Joined:
    May 12, 2015
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Brisbane
    My Bike:
    93 CBR250RR
    I tried using a jack under the sump but it felt so unstable! It wanted to tip towards the right hand side! It was on a rear stand if that makes a difference. Ive got the headers still attached unlike greyimport
     
  13. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

    Messages:
    10,914
    Likes Received:
    6,708
    Trophy Points:
    1,168
    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2012
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Between a Rock and a Hard Place
    Location:
    North by NW NSW Oztralia - Tamworth
    My Bike:
    *Kawasaki ZXR250C *Yamaha FZR250R 3LN1 *Yamaha FZR400 *Triumph Bonneville 750 T140V *Triumph Daytona 675 *Triumph Tiger 800XC
    The tyre hanging on the back of the FZR is to give it stability with weight .... better still on a paddock stand with the wheel on properly

    With the headers on the FZR u couldnt get close to jacking it ... dont know where they run on the CBR
     
  14. edwardo

    edwardo Well-Known Member Contributing Member

    Messages:
    373
    Likes Received:
    192
    Trophy Points:
    273
    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2012
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Teacher
    Location:
    Adelaide
    My Bike:
    srx250
    Yeah I was thinking of having it on the rear stand while jacking the sump, thought that would give it some extra stability. Oh well I'll figure it out. I'll have a house mate on standby if things decide to go tits up.
    3 exams to and then I'll get stuck into it! I saw some bearings in the for trading post section too.

    Thanks everyone for the help :)
     
  15. Phil

    Phil Senior Member Contributing Member

    Messages:
    3,613
    Likes Received:
    1,549
    Trophy Points:
    923
    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2010
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    M C E
    Location:
    Sunshine Coast Qld
    Home Page:
    My Bike:
    Suzuki GT250X7 Kawasaki ZZR600
    I performed this task recently on the MC22, with the bike on the side stand I used a trolley jack. I jacked against the side stand and was able to lift the front end enough to remove and re-attach the front wheel, had no option as I was on my own. Stable....not really but desperate times call for desperate measures. The jack was lifting on the engine.
    I have grabbed the handle bars and pulled the bike over.... you soon find the centre of gravity, a point whereby the degree of effort is off set, held the bike that way whilst new forks were installed. Not advocating these process's as "best practise" but they do work.
     
  16. Phil

    Phil Senior Member Contributing Member

    Messages:
    3,613
    Likes Received:
    1,549
    Trophy Points:
    923
    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2010
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    M C E
    Location:
    Sunshine Coast Qld
    Home Page:
    My Bike:
    Suzuki GT250X7 Kawasaki ZZR600
    Hey edwardo
    I tried doing it on the rear stand, couldn't get any stability whatsoever.
     
  17. Jake89

    Jake89 Active Member Premium Member Contributing Member

    Messages:
    245
    Likes Received:
    192
    Trophy Points:
    173
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2014
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Being awesome.
    Location:
    Wagga wagga
    My Bike:
    Zxr250
    This is true. I really should update my profile as I moved to wagga a few months ago.
     
  18. pwo9

    pwo9 Member

    Messages:
    77
    Likes Received:
    55
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Joined:
    May 12, 2015
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Brisbane
    My Bike:
    93 CBR250RR
    The Cbr exhaust runs to the right side of the engine, so the trolley jack sits under the sump to the left, and tends to want to tip to the right even wit the rear paddock stand! If i figure something out ill let you all know.
     
    • Like Like x 1

Share This Page