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Getting ready to rebuild the entire front end on my 2003 XL including the steering head bearings & races. I've never done this before so I just started looking into the tools that I'll need.
I've looked at a variety of options and it seems like this Motion Pro tool is the only one I can find that both removes and installs the new races. It seems like every other option is a designated tool for removal and a separate tool for installation.
Getting ready to rebuild the entire front end on my 2003 XL including the steering head bearings & races. I've never done this before so I just started looking into the tools that I'll need.
I've looked at a variety of options and it seems like this Motion Pro tool is the only one I can find that both removes and installs the new races. It seems like every other option is a designated tool for removal and a separate tool for installation.
XL is a relatively light bike, not known for wearing out steering head bearings, actually most Big Twins are not known for this until they got super heavy (Twin Cams and M8`s).
If the bearings do need to be replaced, you are going to have to remove the inner race from the lower triple clamp also...
XL is a relatively light bike, not known for wearing out steering head bearings, actually most Big Twins are not known for this until they got super heavy (Twin Cams and M8`s).
If the bearings do need to be replaced, you are going to have to remove the inner race from the lower triple clamp also...
The bike is 23 years old and I'm going to have the entire front end torn apart anyways so I'm just going to replace the bearings & the races while I'm there.
I think thiswas a typo on your part? Both bearing races are pressed into the neck of the frame (one on the top side and one on the bottom side).
I think you're trying to tell me that I'll need that separate tool to replace the BEARING that's pressed onto the lower portion of the stem (which is pressed into the lower tripe tree).
You are right about that, but I won't need that other tool because I plan on using my 12 ton shop press to press the stem completely out of the lower tree for powder coat. I'll then use the shop press to reinstall the steam with a new bearing on it as well.
Last edited by twincam10353; Mar 23, 2026 at 01:45 PM.
The bike is 23 years old and I'm going to have the entire front end torn apart anyways so I'm just going to replace the bearings & the races while I'm there.
I think thiswas a typo on your part? Both bearing races are pressed into the neck of the frame (one on the top side and one on the bottom side).
I think you're trying to tell me that I'll need that separate tool to replace the BEARING that's pressed onto the lower portion of the stem (which is pressed into the lower tripe tree).
You are right about that, but I won't need that other tool because I plan on using my 12 ton shop press to press the stem completely out of the lower tree for powder coat. I'll then use the shop press to reinstall the steam with a new bearing on it as well.
In my years as a Jet Engine mechanic since the early `70s I`ve seen, removed, replaced a zillion bearings, roller type, ball type, hydrodynamic type...
FYI:
Inside the steering neck are the outer races.
On the steering stem are the inner races, rollers, and cage.
When these components are all together, they are a bearing.
But thanks for trying to school me.
Good luck.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Mar 23, 2026 at 02:37 PM.
In my years as a Jet Engine mechanic since the early `70s I`ve seen, removed, replaced a zillion bearings, roller type, ball type, hydrodynamic type...
FYI:
Inside the steering neck are the outer races.
On the steering stem are the inner races, rollers, and cage.
When these components are all together, they are a bearing.
But thanks for trying to school me.
Good luck.
You took it the wrong way, I was just looking for clarification...
Not an issue to change the bearings, cheap insurance. Neck races are probably fine unless something happened to damage them, even at their age. Amazon has a $20 tool for removing the races, new can go in with a proper sized socket and hammer. My local machine shop removes and installs the bearing on the fork stem for about $25.
Tool below is really all you need to remove the race, and a big hammer. I had to grind the flange down to fit my Panhead, not sure if you will need to do the same for an XL. For a one time project I see no reason to purchase a pro tool. Good luck.
Steering Bearing Race Replacement Tooling?
