Contents
The steering head bearings on the 1977 R100RS are the same as those used on the 1983 R80ST and the procedure to replace them is also the same. Therefore I will reuse materials I created when I replaced the 1977 R100RS steering head bearings in this document.
NOTE:
If the picture does not contain “1983 R80ST” in the caption, then it’s from the 1977 R100RS project.
Parts
I obtained the parts from Euro MotoElectrics who generously offered to provide parts for this charity rebuild for free. The bike will be auctioned and all proceeds will go to the Motorcycle Relief Project.
| Part # | Description | Qty |
| 31 42 1 234 509 | RING, Steering Stem Bearing | 1 |
| 31 42 7 663 941 | TAPERED ROLLER BEARING – 28X52X16, Steering Stem-Earlier Part 07 11 9 985 070 | 2 |
Tools
I use the Cycle Works tools for removing and installing the steering head bearings. See the “Replace Steering Head Bearings” section below for a link that shows the Cycle Works tools are assembled and used.
Cycle Works Outer Race Puller Plate Parts
Cycle Works Steering Stem Lower Bearing Puller/Install Tool Parts
Cycle Works Outer Bearing Race Installation Tool Parts
Video
Here is a video summarizing how I remove and install the steering head bearings in the 1983 R100 RS. It’s the same procedure I used on this 1983 R80ST.
VIDEO: 1983 R80ST Replace Steering Head Bearings
Steering Head Outer Races
You can see all the details of how I replaced the steering head bearings on my 1977 R100RS here: the procedure is the same for the 1983 RS. This document contains information about rebuilding the front forks which you can disregard.
Rather than repeat what I already published in the document link above, I’m just going to summarize what I found with this bike.
The outer races on this bike are not as Brinelled as others I’ve seen. Since this bike has over 83,000 miles, I assume the steering head bearings got replaced at some point.
Removal
Here’s the link to the section about how to remove the outer bearing races from the steering head:
Tapping Cycle Works Puller Plate Past Outer Bearing Race
Cycle Works Outer Bearing Race Puller Assembled
1983 R80ST Top Outer Roller Bearing Race Removed
Installation
Here’s the link to the description of how to use the Cycle Works tool to install the new outer bearing races in the steering head.
Cycle Works Outer Bearing Race Installation Tool Parts
Cycle Works Draw Bar Assembly
Cycle Works Draw Bar Top Cover Detail Used To Install Top Outer Race
Cycle Works Draw Bar Bottom Bolt and Washer Detail
1983 R80ST New Steering Stem Roller Bearing Outer Race Installed
New Steering Stem Bottom Outer Race Installed
Steering Stem Lower Inner Race
This race was very tight against the triple clamp and I used a large blade screw driver to move the race a bit so I could install the Cycle Works race puller under the grease cup beneath the bearing.
Removal
The inner steering head lower bearing is installed on the steering stem. It looks like someone used wheel bearing grease on the bearings. It melts at a low temperature and leaked out of the roller bearing.
1983 R80ST Steering Stem After Removal
1983 R80ST Steering Stem After Removal
The bottom of the lower triple clamp attaches to the steering damper.
You can see the grease cap mounted underneath the lower inner race. The Cycle Works bearing puller stand slides in between the grease cap and the face of the triple clamp.
Grease Cover Is Tight Against Lower Triple Clamp
Here’s the link to using the Cycle Works tool to removing the lower inner bearing race from the steering stem.
Sliding Cycle Works Puller Base Under Grease Cover
Cycle Works Puller Base Slide Under The Grease Cover
Pulling The Lower Inner Race
Puller Moving Race Up The Steering Stem
Repositioned Puller Ready To Pull Inner Race Past Steering Stem Top Race Wide Spot
I had to reposition the puller as I used up all the puller bolt length but hadn’t gotten the inner race completely past the top wide spot.
Repositioned Puller A Second Time To Pull Inner Race Past Steering Stem Top Race Wide Spot
Lower Steering Stem Inner Race Removed
1983 R80ST Steering Stem Tapered Roller Bearing And Dust Cap Removed
1983 R80ST Casting Mark On Steering Stem Brace
Installation
Here’s the link to how to install the new inner bearing race on the lower part of the steering stem. I cleaned and polished the lower triple clamp as described below before installing the new inner race on the bottom of the steering stem.
I was able to drop the inner race down to the bottom of the steering stem using the same technique of heating the bearing to about 225 F and freezing the steering stem.
Heated Inner Race (250 F) Slides Right Down Frozen Steering Stem
Refinish Lower Fork Brace
The aluminum was dirty, but not corroded. I used the parts washer to clean the grunge off. I followed up with AutoSol aluminum cleaner and a toothbrush. Next I used “0000” steel wool with the aluminum cleaner to remove the surface oxidation. I finished up with AutoSol metal polish to bring back the shine from the polished aluminum.
Step 1: AutoSol Aluminum Cleaner with Toothbrush
Before Using Aluminum Cleaner with “0000” Steel Wool
Step 2: “0000” Steel Wool with Aluminum Cleaner
After Aluminum Cleaner with “0000” Steel Wool
Step 3: Ready To Polish
1983 R80ST Cleaned Up Steering Stem Brace
1983 R80ST Cleaned Up Steering Stem Brace
1983 R80ST Cleaned Up Steering Stem Brace
Install Steering Stem In Steering Head
The steering stem is secured inside the steering head with a special slotted top nut. The slots fit a wrench in the bike tool kit that tightens the nut. The nut has two different faces, one that is flat that goes on top and the bottom face has a bevel and narrow flat. The narrow flat exactly fits on the top bearing inner race. Tightening the nut pre-loads the roller bearings and keeps the steering stem in the steering head.
Steering Stem Nut Flat Wide Side Faces Up
Steering Stem Nut Beveled with Narrow Flat Side Faces Down
Wide Face Of Steering Head Inner Bearing Race Faces Up On Top Bearing and Down On Bottom Bearing
Correct Orientation of Steering Stem Nut On Steering Head Top Inner Bearing
Orientation of Top Steering Head Bearing Inner Race on Steering Stem
Steering Stem Nut Orientation On Top Of Upper Steering Head Bearing Inner Race
Steering Stem Nut Flat Face Points Up
I pack both the lower and upper steering head inner races with red waterproof grease. I put a lot of grease on the rollers and roll the race around to distribute it to the inside of the bearing and repeat until the rollers are packed in grease. I also put a healthy smear of grease on the outer races too. I want a lot of grease to surround the rollers so they won’t Brinell.
Red Waterproof Grease
Lower Inner Race Packed with Grease
Top Outer Race Greased
Lower Outer Race Greased
I insert the steering stem into the steering head and put the top inner race over the threads on the top of the stem. Then I install the top nut to hold the steering stem in the steering head.
Install Steering Stem and Grease Packed Upper Inner Race
Steering Stem Nut Installed
I use the hook wrench from the bike tool kit to tighten the nut to force the top inner bearing all the way down the steering stem and to seat both bearing inner races tight against the outer races.
Tool Kit Hook Wrench
Use Hook Wrench To Tighten Steering Stem Nut
There is chrome top dust cap the fits on top of the steering head bearing. The slotted nut fits on top of the dust cap.
1983 R80ST Steering Stem Installed
1983 R80ST Steering Stem Installed
The top plate fits on top of the slotted nut and the acorn nut fits in a hole in the top plate and is tightened on the steering stem threads to secure the top plate. I plan to install the Toaster Tan top brace and redesigned acorn nut. When I do that work, I’ll install the Toaster Tan top brace and acorn nut.
Hey Brook,
Very well organized and well explained article. I am in awe of your detail and have discovered many mistakes that I have made myself as your investigation into proper procedures and tips are exemplary. You also make a complicated task somewhat attainable for a common hobbyist, mechanic/owner. Thank you for your efforts and supporting the community.
I did find one detail though that I compared with the knowledge that was embedded in my less than perfect memory from my A and P license pursuit. That was use of dissimilar metal corrosion especially aluminum and steel, or, steel wool or any iron based metal to clean aluminum and the possible long term effects.
Please see this article:
I have heard many people recommend the use of steel wool to clean aluminum wheels. After years of working as an inspector of steel and aluminum structures, I can only say don’t do it.
Here is a little lesson in electro chemical corrosion.
Metals are rated on what is called a Scale of Nobility, which simply means the materials ability to resist this kind of corrosion. A more noble metal is one that has a neutral or negative electrical potential. It will not generate a flow of positive ions, and is called “noble.” The reverse of this is the least noble metal, which has a high positive charge, and which will generate an electrical current. These include such metals as zinc, unalloyed aluminum and copper, iron and steel. Graphite and carbon bottom out the list, being the most highly charged metals.
Following is a scale of metals from most noble to least noble: Gold, Platinum, Carbon/Graphite, Titanium, Silver, Chrome, Inconel, Nickel, Monel, Bronze, Copper, Brass, Tin, Lead, Cast Iron, Steel, Iron, Cadmium, Aluminum, Zinc, Magnesium. The closer two metals are on the scale, the better they will perform together. However, electro chemical corrosion, often called electrolysis, can occur between any dissimilar metals.
On boats/ships they use metal anodes of a low nobility, as in zinc or magnesium, to corrode instead of the aluminum or steel hull.
In roofing, manufacturers go to great lengths to prevent contact between dissimilar metals.
If you use steel wool on aluminum two BAD things can and probably will happen. 1) particles will be left from the steel wool on your aluminum rims. Add water and these particles will discolor and rust, staining your rims. 2) If wheels get damp ( water is an electrolyte) you now have a battery, particles of the least noble metal will be drawn to the more noble metal. In other words corrosion will occur in the form of pitting as the aluminum degrades and coats the steel particles. This process will be accelerated in a salt air environment.
If you feel the need for an abrasive to clean your rims, use a green pad, in the long run you will be much happier.
Dave Alcantara
USCG Retired
This is a very minor detail in a great project that you are selflessly doing for the Airhead community and the Relief Project,
Chris (Kit) Saltsman
Kit,
Thank you for the tutorial on corrosion. I typically do two things after I use steel wool on aluminum: (1) I have used a propane torch on the engine block to convert the steel to rust before I clean and polish it. I do that since the porosity of the aluminum is such that it can catch and hold bits of steel. (2) On smooth aluminum parts, I always follow up with aluminum cleaner and metal polish. I believe this removes any bits of the steel wool.
I’ve not had any “rust” spots on aluminum cases I’ve cleaned with steel wool, so I suspect my methods seem to remove it.
All that said, it’s important to keep in mind the issues of allowing dissimilar metals to be in contact with each other promoting corrosion.
Best.
Brook.
Brook – a question – it looks like the upper inner race does not go down the steering stem far enough to be flush with the neck of the frame. I know it is an interference fit, but does the hook wrench just get it down close to flush and then that’s it? This leaves the dust cap “floating” on the top of the bearing only and not touching the neck of the frame?
Kevin,
The nut pushes the top inner race down the neck of the steering stem.
Best.
Brook.