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Taper Bearing Set For Triumph Steering Heads

Part Number 99-3733/A

Includes top dustcover. Taper bearing set for Triumph steering heads on the following models: 1956 onward Triumph preunit 500, all 1956 through 1970 Triumph 650, 1967 onwards Triumph 500 twins except TR5T, all T150 and A75.

Replaces cups, cones and loose balls, providing easier installation, less frequent adjustments, longer life, and better handling. We also stock taper bearing conversion kits for many other models of Triumph, BSA, and Norton, and are always happy to discuss your requirements.

See also 99-3733/B, heavy duty taper bearing set.







PLEASE READ BEFORE INSTALLATION
Special Knowledge And Training Required

Working on a motorcycle often requires skills not normally acquired through daily living. We feel that special training is required to install this product. It is beyond the scope of this document to supply you with all the information and training required to mount and adjust this product properly. Further information on installing and adjusting the steering head bearings is available in the Triumph workshop manual. Improper adjustment of the steering head bearings can make the motorcycle extremely dangerous to operate. Operating a motorcycle with improperly installed or adjusted steering head bearings can lead to death or worse. If you feel that you do not have the required skills or lack the training DO NOT INSTALL THIS PRODUCT!

Installation

(These are not a full set of instructions, but are offered only as a guide. Refer to the Triumph shop manual for more details.)

1. Position the motorcycle so that the front wheel is off the ground. Before proceeding be sure the motorcycle is secure and cannot fall. Remove the front wheel and front fender.

2. To protect the gas tank, remove it or cover with an old blanket or heavy jacket.

3. Although not always necessary, to ease removal of the front end we prefer to remove the handlebars and headlight.

4. Loosen the top steering nut (the one in the middle between the fork tube nuts) and the steering nut clamp bolt.

5. Loosen and remove the two fork tube nuts. (At this point the front end needs to be supported as it is free to fall to the ground.)

6. Support the lower lug and fork leg assembly and with a leather mallet, alternatively tap upward on the underside of the top lug. This will loosen it from the fork tubes.

7. With the front end removed, tap out the old steering bearing cups from the frame. We use a square drift (with one side ground to the outside radius of the old bearings) and hammer - alternatively tap the upper and lower ball bearing race out of the frame. Clean all the old grease away.

8. With a hammer, and suitable flat bearing driver (a round thick disc slightly smaller o.d. than the bearing itself), tap both the top and bottom bearing race cups squarely into the frame. Proceed slowly and watch to see that the outer bearing spacer and bearing enters and remains square to the hole during installation.

9. Remove the bearing race from the bottom triple tree and replace it with roller bearing supplied. Verify that you installed it properly with the bearing rollers facing up toward the frame. An old fork tube slipped over the stem makes a suitable drift.

10. Grease both cups and cones with waterproof grease. Waterproof grease is available from a bicycle store. We use Phil’s Waterproof Grease. After the bearings are well packed with grease, offer the lower triple tree’s stem up through the frame. Fit the top bearing and dust cover over the stem.

11. Lower the top lug over the stem and fork tubes and temporary secure it with the fork tube nuts and stem nut.

12. After the top lug has been offered, and before any of the top lug fork tube and stem nut is tightened or adjusted loosen the two pinch bolts that secure the fork tubes into the lower triple tree. After the steering stem nut is adjusted and the fork tube nuts tightened, retighten the lower triple tree fork tube pinch nuts and steering pinch bolt.

13. Adjust the tension on the bearings using the stem nut. When adjusting the bearings it is important to ascertain that there is no play evident in the bearings. This must be done while making sure the bearings are not too tight. Over tightening the bearings will cause the roller to dent the races. Slowly tighten the steering stem nut until a slight drag is felt when turning the front end. The bearings should have no play and the front end should be able to fall side to side from its own weight. If, as the front end is moved side to side, it stays where it is the bearings are too tight.

14. Refit the fender and front wheel and related parts. Attach and adjust brake cable. Confirm that the front end is free to move up and down freely.

15. It is important to recheck the bearing adjustment after final assembly. After bouncing motorcycle up and down put the bike on the center stand and recheck the front end. If any play is felt the bearings must be readjusted.

16. Before operating the motorcycle, recheck all the bolts are tight, cables are routed properly ad nothing interferes with the movement of the front end.

17. Bearings not fully seated in the frame during installation will cause the front end adjustment to change during the first few miles of use. This is why it is wise to check the adjustment after a few miles and again at 500 miles. Do not operate the motorcycle if the steering does not feel 100% correct.