I never had this happen before?

[R7]

I haven't ridden my YZ much, in fact not since the last trip to Maine for Columbus day, but I did take it outside a few weeks ago and gave it a bath. Did my usual washing with a hose, simple green and a paint brush. I also used an electric leaf blower to dry the bike when i was done, then put the bike back in my basement. Well i went to move it today and noticed something was up with the handle bars, like I could hardly turn them? WTF? I put it up on the stand and confirmed something was fucked. Thinking the obvious, steering head bearings? While i have never taken them apart to lube them (now that i think about it, I've never lubed steering bearings on any dirtbike I've had) , I always check for proper movement and it always seems fine. It has nothing for time on, and half of it is on pavement.
My plan was to take it apart over the winter and service all the moving suspension parts anyways, feels like I'll be buying some bearings now

Anyone had this happen?

[seth399]

no but it makes sense unfortunately. Take off the clamps when its brand new and see how little grease is in there aha.

[lrrs313]

Yup. There's a reason most mx guys will tear the bike down when they first buy it and grease the swingarm pivots, etc. before they even ride the bike. IIRC Yamaha had issues with the steering head bearings the last couple of years.

[The Snowman]

It's a Yamaha. Get a Honda and move on.






but that does suck for a somewhat new bike. Hope it works out.

[R7]

It's a Yamaha. Get a Honda and move on.
[/SIZE]

Yeah, I'd rather replace some bearings than a motor

[BMFR6]

no but it makes sense unfortunately. Take off the clamps when its brand new and see how little grease is in there aha.

agreed. (unfortunately)

[Pigman]

Yup. There's a reason most mx guys will tear the bike down when they first buy it and grease the swingarm pivots, etc. before they even ride the bike. IIRC Yamaha had issues with the steering head bearings the last couple of years.

+1 on that...they are very limited in how well they are lubed. I know of a few people who rip them down ASAP and lube every thing Esp Dirty Toys.. I use the BellRay grease..mmmmm

[slideruleracer]

If the worse case is true, I'll gladly help you replace the bearings when I pay the balance on the SXV.. May even have it for you in a couple of weeks.. We could do it at your place or mine..

-Chris

[R7]

If the worse case is true, I'll gladly help you replace the bearings when I pay the balance on the SXV.. May even have it for you in a couple of weeks.. We could do it at your place or mine..

-Chris

Thanks for the offer Chris I need to finish by basement project before i start on a bike project so I doubt I'll have started on the bike in a couple weeks.

On the SXV, I called Seacoast and the service tech seems to think i somehow disabled it? I guess it's common if you use the scrole button. He told me how to reset it but I haven't had a chance to ride it yet

[seth399]

fwiw, my bearings are fine luckily but you can kinda see some crud built up in this pic around lower race. My bike is an 09 and this is the 2nd time I've regreased the steering bearings and this time is only after like 5-6 rides.