hello bikerlaw,what do you mean

 

Don't know you from Adam, so I have to ask....

Have you done this before?

Do you have a service manual?

Have you done a fall away test to see if your neck bearings even need adjusting?

How long since they have been greased?

Have you checked to see if the neck bearings are worn & need replacing? Any "play" in the front end while on a lift?

At 58K it might be time to take the front end off and inspect the neck bearings..... then grease them by hand... what does the service schedule for your bike say?

I would do the proper checks before adjusting the steering head bearings. Too tight can cause as many problems as too loose...

 

Stop..Do not past go. do not collect 200.Go straight to jail and stop that bike..

Seriously, the adjuster needs removed, drop the forks and replace the bearings and races. By a well-trained mechanic with a service manual for your 1996 with OEM parts.

There is a grease fitting but there is also actually a call out to examine them at like 30K if like mine. See your owners manual for yours.

They are actually tapered rollers that require little maintenance. However, I am sure that depends on what your roads look like that you ride on. Mine bearings looked like new at 30K. Once lightly greased and set properly to a fall away setting or if designed for access, a torque setting, they will last a long time.

PS..(some people set them way too tight..tapered rollers really do not need a preload like ball bearings and preload on tapered bearings with grease lubrication actually fail due to lubrication being pushed away)

 

Thanks smat,nice to hear from someone that may know what im talking about.went ahead and took front end down and checked bearings,cleaned and repacked.did swing test and like you said,set it up on three swings.now just waiting on monsoon to pass and see the results.once again,thanks

 

thanks ripsaw,took your advice and waiting for rain to end.thanks