K11 Owners Group

rover759 · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:41 pm Post subject: Steering head adjustment

In the manual this makes no sense unless you have specialist tools.So the question is do you leave well alone if all is smooth or is there a sensible way of checking this?

wera32 · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 7:14 pm Post subject:

I found the manual's description confusing too. Once you start messing with it it starts to make some sense. The setting ring is inexpensive or can be easily fabricated. To answer your other question, I wouldn't mess with it unless you have to. I only did mine when I changed the bearings a few years ago.
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Paul - '93 K11/12RS (sold), 2002 R1100S BCP and '03 RC51 KOG 29

Shoganai · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 2:55 am Post subject: Re: Steering head adjustment

chopper_harris · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 4:44 am Post subject:

Modern motorcycle manufacturers seem to have an aversion to grease, yet it is the second most vital element behind engine oils.

I plan to keep my R100 RS until I die, so I have drilled the headstock to accept a grease nipple.
Drop the yokes before you drill, and clean the swarf THOROUGHLY. Reinstall the yokes and pack with grease by hand as best you can.

Reassemble the top yoke loosely, and pump up from the nipple until a good chunk of clean grease emerges top and bottom.
Set the correct head bearing torque, and enjoy.

Every 3,000 miles, loosen the yokes and give a dozen strokes with your grease gun - you will never need to touch the head bearings again Cool

_________________
C1 200 (2001)
R100 RS (1990)
NSU Quickly N (1964)
Honda 400/4 F1 (1977)
MotoGuzzi 1000C (1978)
Suzuki TL 1000 R (1999)
Kawasaki KLV1000 (2005)
K12R Sport (2007) - Wifeys

bmwmick · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 2:46 pm Post subject: Re: Steering head adjustment

mike toon · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 12:57 am Post subject:

chopper_harris · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 3:35 am Post subject:

yeah, but I'm a control freak Wink

I make it part of the annual maintenance schedule. With 5 bikes on the read, each one covers less than 3,000 miles.
The are all serviced by time rather than distance. For a higher annual mileage, every major service (12,000 miles) would still be worthwhile.

Checking the head bearing settings once a year is a good practice, so why not lube them whilst you are doing that Very Happy

_________________
C1 200 (2001)
R100 RS (1990)
NSU Quickly N (1964)
Honda 400/4 F1 (1977)
MotoGuzzi 1000C (1978)
Suzuki TL 1000 R (1999)
Kawasaki KLV1000 (2005)
K12R Sport (2007) - Wifeys

bmwmick · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 11:10 am Post subject:

tibbe · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:39 am Post subject:

Hi

Feelt a slak in the steering and checked it by setting the K11LT on main stand and hijacked under the oilpan and lifting the fork.
Had a litle slack and noticed that both the lock nut and the lock tube where missing. No signs on the upperclamp of scrathes from a pevious lock nut. Strange indeed.
Ordered and installed lock tube and nut. Adjusted the bearring and tested on twisty roads, a noticable improvement in handling.

BTW. noticed that the front of the K11 seemed more flexible than the rear frame/swing taking corners with cracks in the tarmac.
Can it be the tyre or the frame/fork.
Stiffened the frame/fork of my -76 R100RS/Krausser and got the same effect by stiffen up the upper front part of the frame to much.
It's not a big issue as the K11 are handling well and not really a sportbike, but?

/Tibbe

hirschhs · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:45 am Post subject:

Mine's pretty notchy.. chap I know said put it on the main stand, have someone press down on the rear and then swing the bars.. if it's still notchy, it can be adjusted i.e. slackened off a tad. Tried that, it is but can't move the lock nut, need to buy some tools methinks.. is he right?
_________________
Cheers, Steve H _______________________________________
K-less in Bucks
2001 ST1100A

1994 Yamaha 600 Diversion 'Hers'
2006 Kawasaki Z750s 'Hers'