Ring nut tool/steering bearing adjustment

[olie05]

What are you guys using to undo the ring nuts on the steering stem?

I need to adjust my steering head bearings, but I don't have this "ring nut tool" that the manual suggests I use.

Do I have to go buy it at the yamaha dealer?

[mrfreeze5]

Flat head screw driver and light taps with a hammer should do the trick.

[olie05]

Is that how you tighten it back down as well? Do you normally just do it "tight enough"? I was hoping I could use a torque wrench on that.

[mrfreeze5]

Is that how you tighten it back down as well? Do you normally just do it "tight enough"? I was hoping I could use a torque wrench on that.

Yes, thats how Ive always done it, never had a problem yet. But I am also running high quality tapered roller bearings instead of the plastic race ball bearings

[olie05]

Could you describe the process you use to adjust the bearings with the tapered rollers?

[haro504]

i usually hand tighten and use some channel locks to snug the bottom one till all the play is out of it. ill pull the brake and push to see if it moves then once its free of play and snug i might give a quarter turn and lock the top down but i make sure the wheel turns freely

[mrfreeze5]

I tighten it down all the way while moving the forks back and forth, then back it off about 1/2 turn, make sure there isnt any play, and then put the second locknut on. I do it by feel mostly.

[thatkid]

Flat head screw driver and light taps with a hammer should do the trick.

Oh bad advice is allowed here?

Anyone that has leaky forks seal's. don't bother removing the forks nor dismantle them.

Pull the dust seals up, get ultra absorbent tampons, mush them up then squash them down over the seals. simply replace the dust caps = no more leaks.

I'm replacing mine. When it stops raining.

Anyone else want bad advice?

[delvryboy]

Flat head screw driver and light taps with a hammer should do the trick.

Oh bad advice is allowed here?

Anyone that has leaky forks seal's. don't bother removing the forks nor dismantle them.

Pull the dust seals up, get ultra absorbent tampons, mush them up then squash them down over the seals. simply replace the dust caps = no more leaks.

I'm replacing mine. When it stops raining.

Anyone else want bad advice?

Do you have the correct advice?

[mrfreeze5]

Flat head screw driver and light taps with a hammer should do the trick.

Oh bad advice is allowed here?

Anyone that has leaky forks seal's. don't bother removing the forks nor dismantle them.

Pull the dust seals up, get ultra absorbent tampons, mush them up then squash them down over the seals. simply replace the dust caps = no more leaks.

I'm replacing mine. When it stops raining.

Anyone else want bad advice?

Yes please share, Oh elightened one.

Ill tell you what you can do with that ultra absorbent while you're at it...

[DonTZ125]

Reelrazor sells / sold / may still have locally-made ring nut wrenches for a good price. Drop the man a note, and actually torque your steering heads the way Yamaha intended.

[haro504]

i worked most on my ass off so when i put my full effort into something its still only half assed
just kidding

[pefrey]

I tighten it down all the way while moving the forks back and forth, then back it off about 1/2 turn, make sure there isnt any play, and then put the second locknut on. I do it by feel mostly.

This is the most common method and one I have used. You want it tight enough that there is no play, yet loose enough so there's no binding and the traverse back and forth is smooth.

[pefrey]

Ill tell you what you can do with that ultra absorbent while you're at it...

LOL

[pefrey]

i worked most on my ass off so when i put my full effort into something its still only half assed
just kidding

Sorry I don't know how to quote multiple responses in one reply.

Never do anything half assed when you can do it ass whole.