Split: Why FJR Steering Head Bearing Re-Torque?
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My '04 Kawi Vulcan Nomad 1500 needed the steering head bearings replaced at 50k miles, which of course re-torqued the stem nut. It was a known issue, as the bikes were shipped with the bearings notoriously under-greased from the factory. The result was a loosey-goosey feeling in the front end, an un-planted feeling, and a serious wobble if the bars were let go on decel. Didn't have the tools, so six hundred bucks at a shop. Worth it, tho. Better handling.
KrustyKush
Member
Many bikes I've bought new needed head bearings re-torqued after a few miles.
My 2014 FJR. I got it home with 18 miles on the clock and started my usual process of going over the bike checking fasteners. First check, steering head nut. Spec is 85 lb/ft. Mine was about 50 lb/ft. With only 18 miles on the clock, it is all but certain that this nut was never torqued properly at the factory. Or, it bedded down during the 18 months it was gathering dust in the warehouse, being occasionally moved by hand. All the other fasteners were right at spec.
Yamaha apparently suffers with poor steering head design on several of its models. The Venture, a constant need to snug up the bearings, every few thousand miles. Interestingly, the Venture uses the same type of nuts with the rubber washer 'tween them. Some Venture folk have adopted a special made metal washer to replace the rubber, and claim it helps. I went so far as to replace bearings and races, to see if there might be something wrong with them. No help.
So I'm not surprised to find out this is also a problem on the FJR. I also note that keeping the bearings snug is easy on this bike, MUCH easier than on the Venture. So I don't mind.
My 2014 FJR. I got it home with 18 miles on the clock and started my usual process of going over the bike checking fasteners. First check, steering head nut. Spec is 85 lb/ft. Mine was about 50 lb/ft. With only 18 miles on the clock, it is all but certain that this nut was never torqued properly at the factory. Or, it bedded down during the 18 months it was gathering dust in the warehouse, being occasionally moved by hand. All the other fasteners were right at spec.
Yamaha apparently suffers with poor steering head design on several of its models. The Venture, a constant need to snug up the bearings, every few thousand miles. Interestingly, the Venture uses the same type of nuts with the rubber washer 'tween them. Some Venture folk have adopted a special made metal washer to replace the rubber, and claim it helps. I went so far as to replace bearings and races, to see if there might be something wrong with them. No help.
So I'm not surprised to find out this is also a problem on the FJR. I also note that keeping the bearings snug is easy on this bike, MUCH easier than on the Venture. So I don't mind.
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For those who replaced the balls bearing with tapered, are you using All Balls or other brands? Seems I read some place there was a quality problem with one of the vendors.
I used All Balls. Like everything else there's no definitive answer- I like them, others don't. Your choice but if I were to do it again I wouldn't hesitate to use All Balls again.
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Hornet Pilot
Viper Pilot
85 Ft/lbs??? Are you sure???
TomInPA
Well-known member
Walter, on what basis? The OEM bearing seems to hold up a long time, and most of us who think we have a problem, just need to clean, lube and re-torque the bearings. Installing tapered bearings is a bonus. I got them, so I'll put them in, but when I checked mine, they were still fine except for being loose.
Yes, 85 ft-lbs is the spec for the steering stem top nut (not the castellated bearing pre-load nuts)
Hornet Pilot
Viper Pilot
Ah Yes. My misinterpretation.
Thanks!
Thanks!
KrustyKush
Member
Yes. On page 4-94 of my brand-new official Yamaha FJR1300A service manual, it shows the 85 ft-lb (115 Nm) spec for the steering head nut.
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