K11 Owners Group

[lee richter]

1994, K1100LT, 50,744 on the clock.
From the site of knowledge, I'm looking for an opinion here.

I have all the fairings off. Getting ready to paint. I had to remove the top fairing bracket to repair a crack in the mounting bracket. The question is, do I or better, should I remove the steering head and repack the bearing. Looking at the parts brake down there are no seals ??? There are no issues with the steering, works good, I think. But the bike is 17 years old. and it is right there! Is it worth the effort ?? It would be against my nature not to fix it, even if it's not broke. Local reaction is if it's not broke, don't F*+? with it. But that comes from two other HD riders.

And yes I am going to commit a sin..... New color will be Diamond White Pearl.
_________________
Lee Richter
Orlando, FL
I like flying, HIGH or low, Wings or Not
182 Texas Tail Dragger
'39 J3 Cub
2000 HD Soft Tail Sold
2002 R1150R
1994 K1100LT

[Lone Rider of Santa Fe]

[quote="lee richter"]1994, K1100LT, 50,744 on the clock.
From the site of knowledge, I'm looking for an opinion here.

Local reaction is if it's not broke, don't F*+? with it.

The cororllary is, "You can pay me now or pay me later." 17 yrs, 50K miles they owe you nothing. Change em out.
_________________
Paul
'96 K11RS "Victor"

[Number 6]

If you know how to change them, why not, otherwise leave the bearings, it is a tricky job to change them.

[DaveVoorhis]

Remove the forks and bars and slowly rotate the steering head back and forth. If you sense even the slightest notchiness as the head passes over center, change the bearings.

Getting the upper race out is a bit of a pest - I notch them with a Dremel until they crack, then pry them out; other folks do clever stuff with welders, heat guns, pullers, etc. - but the job is otherwise easy, especially if you freeze the races and heat the frame bits when reassembling. A torque wrench and a "special tool" consisting of a short length of 5/8" copper pipe is needed to correctly set the tension.
_________________
'93 K1100RS
Dave #3

[Number 6]

[gladstone]

Hi,

I've just done this exact job - had the forks off my LT to add gaitors, and felt a bit of notchiness in the steering. I disassembled (pretty easy) and cleaned up the bearings. The grease in the bearings was solid.

Once clean the bearings looked in good nick, and there was no grooves in the race.

Once re-assembled the steering is now really smooth.

Certainly a job worth doing, and you may not need to replace the bearings.

Cheers
_________________
1993 K1100LT (x2!)
1998 R1100R - gone
1994 R1100GS - gone
1990 K100RS 16V - gone

[Tim (Midland Section)]

FFS dont forget to put the shim between the yoke & the bearing when refitting. As the "yoke in freezer, bearing in oven" is a once only job.
For me the hardest bit was getting the bearing outers from the frame. Tool can be borrowed from the UK BMW club for a pittance + postage, or collected if near Northampton.
_________________
Regards Tim,

Grey haired riders don't get that way by pure luck
1996 Guzzi Cali3 LAPD
1972 750 Commando
G6HRN
#485

[merlin geikie]

To be sure "if it aint broke don't fix it" is not a bad way to go but at that many miles, a good clean up and inspection can't be bad, seeing you are in there as it is

Even if it's just a relube and adjustment, your bike will handle better, be smoother and safer.

I like the new colour, very visible

All the best from downunder oz

[lee richter]

Thanks to all, I need a nudge to do what I really wanted to do. Took it all apart. No surprises, The bearings are in good shape, the grease was setting up, crusted around the edges. I got is all cleaned up lube it with my favorit high presure poly grease. All toll about 3 hours. Now I know, and I won't have to think about it for the next 25 years.
_________________
Lee Richter
Orlando, FL
I like flying, HIGH or low, Wings or Not
182 Texas Tail Dragger
'39 J3 Cub
2000 HD Soft Tail Sold
2002 R1150R
1994 K1100LT