Taper Roller Steering Head Bearings.

[Matlock]

Following an MoT (mandatory UK inspection for bikes over 3 years old) advisory for notchy head bearings, I stripped the bike down, a four hour job  , to get to them. I was hoping it was just going to be a re-grease job, as the bike (a 2012), only has 24k miles on it and the notchiness was minor, but no, they are well worn. As with the rear suspension linkage, it looks like grease was only applied sparingly at the factory.
So now I need to replace them. I was going to fit taper roller bearings, as I've always considered them superior to the ball race system employed on most bikes. But, I spotted on here a couple of negative comments about them in the forum, but, as so often on the internet, none were based on first hand experience  . So a couple of questions:
1) Has anyone fitted taper roller bearings, and if so, were you happy with them?
2) It looks like the only UK supplier is a company called Pyramid Parts, has anyone fitted these bearings. They seem to have good feedback. Link: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Steering-Head-Bearings-Seals-for-Honda-VFR1200-X-Crosstourer-2012-2017-/274279991709

[__Ray__]

I fit taper rolling bearings on every bike i own.
People with bad experiences just don't have them fitted the right way.
They are a bit harder to seat properly and sometime need some adjustments after a few miles or they set them too tight.
Sometimes they are set good but then get overtightened when the top yoke is set to torque.
Mostly i redo it about 3 times before i get them set properly.
When properly set de bike steers lighter and with the bigger surface they don't wear out as fast.

[Matlock]

Thanks Ray, the Crosstourer has a neat locking nut and locking tab washer that should mean that tightening the top yoke nut won't move the other nuts, but I'll keep an eye on it 

[__Ray__]

It won't move the other nuts but it gets more pressure due to the high torque value of the yoke nut.

[bazza950]

I am going to have a look tomorrow -as suggested it's silly not to whilst the forks are out-and first mot due in 2 weeks
incidentally in France they have a 2 year check up- their version of our MOT ( I think it stands for Ministry of Transport inspection) but do you yanks have anything similar?

[Ernest_T_Bass]

Originally Posted by bazza950

do you yanks have anything similar?

In the US, each state sets the requirements for vehicle safety inspections. Some require an annual inspection, some require nothing at all. Emissions inspections are more regional - if you live in a large metro area with air pollution issues, your motor vehicles are likely to need periodic testing. Otherwise, no emissions testing required.

I'm currently in Florida where no safety inspections are required. Before this, I was in Colorado (no safety inspections), Virginia (annual inspections), Tennessee (no inspection), and Pennsylvania (annual inspections).

In my experience, inspections are pretty basic. Tires, brakes, lights, general condition. I can't imagine that any required inspection here would notice worn steering head bearings.

[bazza950]

thanks Ernest.I had a stay in Florida (Tampa) some years ago and hired a Harley.It had no baffles in the exhaust (they are all like that, I was told) which I found really embarrassing - didn't want to wake up neighbours also on holday! Here it's "make or break" time for old vehicles as too bad a fault can condemn a vehicle to the scrap heap (translation wreckers yard) .The problem is some garages make it a great time to fool the inexperienced to have repair work done -that might not be needed at all! We are also going down the route of even more strict tests -for example a vehicle (car,bike or whatever) can be failed for a WARNING light showing on the dashboard.We all know about the car "engine management light" that comes on for something to do! Next will be the non standard exhaust -like we all fit - so in UK most bikers have a guy who does their bike (s) who is an enthusiast not a stickler for the Rules!

[oskar]

Why doesn't Honda use tapered bearings instead of balls? A possible answer that I read in a Varadero forum is due to a question of sensitivity and precision in the handlebar.