Something broken - steering (neck)

[francoblay1]

Guys,

After seeing this thread http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/general/49777-need-some-friendly-help.html I got a bit scared.....

I would like the opinions of those who know well about that area.

While Andrew was in Spain working on my K9 http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/general/61510-i-am-back-road.html we noticed something broken at the neck (see pic) it looks like it has been this way for long time... as the fall-back was fine we forgot about it...

Thank you

 

[pknowles]

That's fucked up. I believe I would get that fixed. If it's ok broken they would have put a broken one end at the factory Just my opinion.

 

[01Mastiff]

I believe it would be a leap of faith to assume that it wasn't put on that way at the factory.

 

[HMAN]

Hey bro....replace your neck cups. They hold the bearings and races. I found one on the Pitbull that looked like that. Scared the shit outta me...Derick n Donna!!!

 

[Diesel Dan]

better fix that shit Franco:flag:.............that's not good..........and quit aiming for all the fucking potholes in the road:lol::lol:...LOL.......You crazy bastard.......hahahahaha....get that fixed.........The next pothole you hit might stress that enough to break it in half and there go's your bearings dude.....You could crash bad:down::down:....... Fix that for sure brother:2thumbs:

 

[BadDawg Bill]

That cup crack could cause the bearings to lock up or fall out and dump your butt on the pavement. It's a simple fix and you would be smart to fix it a/s/a/p.

 

[francoblay1]

Well... I am fucked then...

Could I just weld the (two) cracks? It seems to me it is a very big job to take the whole front end apart!!! It would cost me around 1,000 Euros, the HD mechanic nearest me charges 75 Euros/hour + tax for labor :bang:

It looks like I will have to put the Dog to sleep. :angry:

 

[Diesel Dan]

to much prep work to repair that correctly with welding bro........you would have to grind out that crack a little bit,find the correct welding rod or wire to repair it,its right next to the frame,might burn all the paint,just to much hassle..........we need you out there shooting Tango"s:lol:,not laying down in a ditch.....sucks dude,but that should be repaired correctly man...........that's a big safety issue.........

 

[Splitlog]

I would put new on..You have some labor but not much in cost for the parts.

 

[Brew]

I would order new cups, shouldn't repair that...

 

[BadDawg Bill]

It's not a big deal. Jack the front up so the front wheel is about 5" off the floor. Take off the top nut, the tube bolts then take off the top tree. (better to have help here to hold the front end. you can tap the tree with a rubber mallet to get it off)

Slide the whole front end down until the neck stem comes out and clears the neck. You can disconnect the brake line so you can wheel the front end and stand it up. You will also want to have a thick blanket on your tank to place your bars and top tree when they come off.

Take a punch and hammer and tap out the lower cup. Take a new cup and seat it as far as you can and then use a 2x4 and hammer to seat it in all the way. (a little grease in the neck helps.) Put in a new bearing well greased and slide the tubes/neck stem back up and in. Put the top end back together and hook up and bleed your brake.

All in all 2 guys working on it should take you about 2 hrs. Maybe 3 if this is your first time with beer breaks.

Your mechanic if he knows what he is doing should charge you for just 2 hrs time and about $30 parts for a new cup and bearing. I'd also replace the top bearing as well.
Good luck

 

[Sven]

Junk. Do not ride. Find one big rawhide mallet and hammer a new set in. Cold pounding is the only way to save the paint job. You heat the neck, well that's out of the question.

 

[Sven]

Bdog, where is the bearing preload? You had everything I was about to say. Finish it.

 

[BadDawg Bill]

Bdog, where is the bearing preload? You had everything I was about to say. Finish it.

You just did buddy!

...slowly crank the neck bolt down until the slop is gone...give it an extra 1/8 turn...tighten everything up. Go riding.

 

[francoblay1]

Awesome, thanks Bill & Sven, that's the "How-To" I was looking for :2thumbs:

Now I need to find the right parts...

 

[Nukeranger]

Franco, sucks to hear about this. Hope you get new parts sent your way soon! Doesn't look too hard to replace.

 

[francoblay1]

Yup, I am on it.... I will be back at home in two weeks time.... hopefully the parts will arrive at the same time too!

I have sent a couple emails... just waiting for replies... :up:

 

[BWG56]

Bummer, you need to stop driving on the cobble stone roads:lol:

 

[HMAN]

Easy fix Franco. Pull ur front end, drive out the old cups and drive in the new ones. Use a block of wood and a dead blow hammer....easy peasy. Better put in new races n bearings while your there.

 

[pknowles]

Bdog, where is the bearing preload? You had everything I was about to say. Finish it.

And while you got it apart, change the fork oil.