Front end problems

Navigator · 02-26-2017, 02:17 PM

A good friend, the one who convinced me to replace my Harley with a Nomad is having steering woes on one of his three Nomads, a 2001 EFI model with about 80K on the clock. One of his others has well over 100K with no issues.

Mike has a house in Port Orchard, WA along with one in St Marys Georgia. He was on a cross country ride from WA when he slowly developed a front end wobble about 1500 miles from home. At 60 MPH it was a real tank slapper. He arrived safely home but last night told me that when he is at a stop, with the wheel turned, the wheel immediately goes to center if he lets go of the bars. He rode one of his other Nomads back and will be returning in his truck to Georgia within a few days

My guess is that his steering head bearings have self destructed. He used to be able to ride that bike at 80 MPH, take his hands off the bars it she would be rock steady.

Although Mike is an excellent car/bike/anything mechanic and can build house from scratch, he is not "computer friendly". I told him I'd go on the forum and send him a link to a couple of the steering head bearing threads with the photos and process for repair.

For some of you who have changed these out, do you think Mike's problems are symptomatic of steering head bearing failure. He's going to replace the fork seals and install progressive springs while he has it apart.

I think this is the bike with the problem. That's Buddy on the tank who goes everywhere with Mike. The old dog is deaf and blind now and just loves riding. Since this pic was taken Mike made him a better riding bed.

recumbentbob · 02-26-2017, 02:57 PM

Yep steering head bearings or something terribly wrong with the front tire.

JayJay · 02-26-2017, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recumbentbob

Yep steering head bearings or something terribly wrong with the front tire.

Yup pretty much what recumbentbob said BTW my 08 is doing the exact same thing. At low speeds the front end feels like it wants to fight me. It's on my to do do list as soon as the snow melts.👍👍

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Tortuga · 02-26-2017, 07:56 PM

No wobble but slow speeds the thing didn't want to turn off center and, once turned, it wanted to re-center. New bearings and it was like I had power steering.

Navigator · 02-26-2017, 10:25 PM

Thanks guys, as I suspected. Mike is an Iron Butt rider so is very attentive to tires and proper pressure. It appears that steering head bearing failure is the issue.

outthegate98 · 02-26-2017, 10:50 PM

Unfortunately alot of riders forget to grease those bad boys as part of maintenance. I've done mine every couple years on my other bikes. Used the high temp stuff. I live in pretty hot weather most of the year.

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DragonLady58 · 02-26-2017, 11:56 PM

What they said! Do not go with the stock round ball bearing that are sold thru kawa, go with the tapered bearings (AllBalls), will last longer, hold grease better, won't 'notch' from hard front end impacts on huge potholes like the stockers.
Also, while he's at it, might want to redo all the seals, in the forks, perfect time tochange out the fluid.
Also, check the wheelbearings, with all the miles he probably has on his bike, perfect opportunity to freshen them up as well....

Navigator · 02-27-2017, 01:37 PM

I will absolutely tell him about the All Balls bearings because he mentioned he was going to order them from Kawasaki. I know I've seen posts on this but does anyone have a part number for those bearings. I see one can get them from a number of sources, to include JC Whitney and JP Cycles. They apparently make bearings for every MC application, wheel, swing arm etc., but dang me, I can't find the flippin' steering head bearings.

And yes, he is going to replace the fork seals. Mike will fix his Nomad in Georgia and we'll do the upgrade on mine when he returns in the spring.

**MAS Tequila** · 02-27-2017, 03:17 PM

VN1500L NOMAD FI
Manufacturer Part Number:
22-1031
Year:
2000-2004

VN 1600 Nomad 05-08
Manufacturer Part Number:
22-1031

It looks like they both take the same bearings.

Actually all of the following use the same bearings,

Steering Brg - Seal Kit Kawasaki VN1500 Classic 06-08, VN1500G 99-01, VN1500J 99-00, VN1500L 00-04, VN1500N 00-02, VN1500P 02-03, VN1500R 01-05, VN1600 Classic 03-08, VN1600 Mean Streak 04-08, VN1600 Nomad 05-08, VN2000 04-05, VN2000 A & F 06-10, VN2000 Limited 05, ZR750 (Z750S) 05, ZX1100D Ninja ZX11 93-01, ZX750J (Ninja) ZX7 91-92, ZX750K (Ninja) ZX7R 91-92, ZX750L (Ninja) ZX7 93-95, ZX750M (Ninja) ZX7R 93-94, ZX750N (Ninja) ZX7R 97, ZX750N (Ninja) ZX7RR 96, ZX750P (Ninja) ZX7R 96-03, ZX900 Ninja ZX9R 94-99, Suzuki VZ1600

MT

Navigator · 02-28-2017, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAS Tequila

VN1500L NOMAD FI
Manufacturer Part Number:
22-1031
Year:
2000-2004

VN 1600 Nomad 05-08
Manufacturer Part Number:
22-1031

It looks like they both take the same bearings.

Actually all of the following use the same bearings,

Steering Brg - Seal Kit Kawasaki VN1500 Classic 06-08, VN1500G 99-01, VN1500J 99-00, VN1500L 00-04, VN1500N 00-02, VN1500P 02-03, VN1500R 01-05, VN1600 Classic 03-08, VN1600 Mean Streak 04-08, VN1600 Nomad 05-08, VN2000 04-05, VN2000 A & F 06-10, VN2000 Limited 05, ZR750 (Z750S) 05, ZX1100D Ninja ZX11 93-01, ZX750J (Ninja) ZX7 91-92, ZX750K (Ninja) ZX7R 91-92, ZX750L (Ninja) ZX7 93-95, ZX750M (Ninja) ZX7R 93-94, ZX750N (Ninja) ZX7R 97, ZX750N (Ninja) ZX7RR 96, ZX750P (Ninja) ZX7R 96-03, ZX900 Ninja ZX9R 94-99, Suzuki VZ1600

MT

Thank you sir.

VulcanE · 02-28-2017, 04:36 PM

My factory stem bearings were tapered roller bearings, and I used the "All Balls" tapered roller bearings when I redid mine about 9 years ago. I also put a grease zerk in the neck while I had it apart.

DragonLady58 · 02-28-2017, 05:38 PM

I know the 1600s they updated to the tapered bearings, The 1500s you can still get the std. ball and races type (For the ones that don't know any better). I believe, I haven't bought them thru MaKawa lately since I get the tapered ones thru AllBalls, but I think I remember someone, one of my mechanic friends saying that you can get them thru MaKawa now, at the MaKawas nice overinflated prices.
Cheaper to go thru AllBalls....
Yea, my bike has zerks sprouting out all over the place! Neck, Swing Arm, both sides, etc....

Navigator · 03-02-2017, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DragonLady58

I know the 1600s they updated to the tapered bearings, The 1500s you can still get the std. ball and races type (For the ones that don't know any better). I believe, I haven't bought them thru MaKawa lately since I get the tapered ones thru AllBalls, but I think I remember someone, one of my mechanic friends saying that you can get them thru MaKawa now, at the MaKawas nice overinflated prices.
Cheaper to go thru AllBalls....
Yea, my bike has zerks sprouting out all over the place! Neck, Swing Arm, both sides, etc....

I put a zerk on my 1988 Electra Glide because getting at the bearings to service/grease them was a real PITA. It required removing the inner and outer fairing. What a brain dead design that is. I also put one in my old Triumph 650 twin.

I'll go right to All Balls.

JayJay · 03-07-2017, 05:29 PM

Well I got it done....well had it trailered to a new shop run by 2 young guys and it took him 5 hrs to do it. He showed me the bearing and it pretty much disinigrated and seized,there was no grease in there at all. Had the All Balls installed and without even driving it I could feel a difference in the steering. Best $300 I ever spent.

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Navigator · 03-07-2017, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayJay

Well I got it done....well had it trailered to a new shop run by 2 young guys and it took him 5 hrs to do it. He showed me the bearing and it pretty much disinigrated and seized,there was no grease in there at all. Had the All Balls installed and without even driving it I could feel a difference in the steering. Best $300 I ever spent.

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk

Excellent JayJay. I only have about 15K on my 07 1600 and have been wondering if I really need to do this but as you noted improvement in steering I'll go ahead with it when my friend returns in the spring. He'll have done his and with him being an excellent mechanic, it won't take it long, I'll drill and tap for the zerk while I have it apart.

DL, about where on the stem do you install the zerk fitting, about half way up?

02-26-2017, 02:17 PM	#1
Navigator Advanced Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Banner, WA Posts: 644	Front end problems A good friend, the one who convinced me to replace my Harley with a Nomad is having steering woes on one of his three Nomads, a 2001 EFI model with about 80K on the clock. One of his others has well over 100K with no issues. Mike has a house in Port Orchard, WA along with one in St Marys Georgia. He was on a cross country ride from WA when he slowly developed a front end wobble about 1500 miles from home. At 60 MPH it was a real tank slapper. He arrived safely home but last night told me that when he is at a stop, with the wheel turned, the wheel immediately goes to center if he lets go of the bars. He rode one of his other Nomads back and will be returning in his truck to Georgia within a few days My guess is that his steering head bearings have self destructed. He used to be able to ride that bike at 80 MPH, take his hands off the bars it she would be rock steady. Although Mike is an excellent car/bike/anything mechanic and can build house from scratch, he is not "computer friendly". I told him I'd go on the forum and send him a link to a couple of the steering head bearing threads with the photos and process for repair. For some of you who have changed these out, do you think Mike's problems are symptomatic of steering head bearing failure. He's going to replace the fork seals and install progressive springs while he has it apart. I think this is the bike with the problem. That's Buddy on the tank who goes everywhere with Mike. The old dog is deaf and blind now and just loves riding. Since this pic was taken Mike made him a better riding bed. __________________ Mike USN Retired 2007 Nomad Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-26-2017, 02:57 PM	#2
recumbentbob Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newburgh IN Posts: 3,404	Yep steering head bearings or something terribly wrong with the front tire. __________________ VBA #01084 "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
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02-26-2017, 10:25 PM	#5
Navigator Advanced Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Banner, WA Posts: 644	Thanks guys, as I suspected. Mike is an Iron Butt rider so is very attentive to tires and proper pressure. It appears that steering head bearing failure is the issue. __________________ Mike USN Retired 2007 Nomad Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-26-2017, 11:56 PM	#7
DragonLady58 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Somewhere South of Alaska.... Posts: 2,351	What they said! Do not go with the stock round ball bearing that are sold thru kawa, go with the tapered bearings (AllBalls), will last longer, hold grease better, won't 'notch' from hard front end impacts on huge potholes like the stockers. Also, while he's at it, might want to redo all the seals, in the forks, perfect time tochange out the fluid. Also, check the wheelbearings, with all the miles he probably has on his bike, perfect opportunity to freshen them up as well.... __________________ --------------------- Don't start no schit, there won't be no schit.... My Sarcasm is directly proportional to the amount of Stupidity involved --------------------- VBA#03239 VROC#37400 VRA --------------------- 2014 Vaquero 2001 Nomad FI 2003 Street Glide (sold) 1500 Meanie, fresh rebuild (sold) 90s BUBF Bobber (sold) 2001 UltraCycle FatPounder (Sold) 1975 HD ElectraGlide (Sold) 1982 Kawasaki Z1 Chopper (Sold) Suck It Up & Ride!
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02-27-2017, 01:37 PM	#8
Navigator Advanced Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Banner, WA Posts: 644	I will absolutely tell him about the All Balls bearings because he mentioned he was going to order them from Kawasaki. I know I've seen posts on this but does anyone have a part number for those bearings. I see one can get them from a number of sources, to include JC Whitney and JP Cycles. They apparently make bearings for every MC application, wheel, swing arm etc., but dang me, I can't find the flippin' steering head bearings. And yes, he is going to replace the fork seals. Mike will fix his Nomad in Georgia and we'll do the upgrade on mine when he returns in the spring. __________________ Mike USN Retired 2007 Nomad
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02-26-2017, 07:56 PM	#4
Tortuga Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Sahuarita, AZ Posts: 559	No wobble but slow speeds the thing didn't want to turn off center and, once turned, it wanted to re-center. New bearings and it was like I had power steering.
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02-26-2017, 10:50 PM	#6
outthegate98 Jr. Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 9	Unfortunately alot of riders forget to grease those bad boys as part of maintenance. I've done mine every couple years on my other bikes. Used the high temp stuff. I live in pretty hot weather most of the year. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
	0

02-27-2017, 03:17 PM	#9
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	VN1500L NOMAD FI Manufacturer Part Number: 22-1031 Year: 2000-2004 VN 1600 Nomad 05-08 Manufacturer Part Number: 22-1031 It looks like they both take the same bearings. Actually all of the following use the same bearings, Steering Brg - Seal Kit Kawasaki VN1500 Classic 06-08, VN1500G 99-01, VN1500J 99-00, VN1500L 00-04, VN1500N 00-02, VN1500P 02-03, VN1500R 01-05, VN1600 Classic 03-08, VN1600 Mean Streak 04-08, VN1600 Nomad 05-08, VN2000 04-05, VN2000 A & F 06-10, VN2000 Limited 05, ZR750 (Z750S) 05, ZX1100D Ninja ZX11 93-01, ZX750J (Ninja) ZX7 91-92, ZX750K (Ninja) ZX7R 91-92, ZX750L (Ninja) ZX7 93-95, ZX750M (Ninja) ZX7R 93-94, ZX750N (Ninja) ZX7R 97, ZX750N (Ninja) ZX7RR 96, ZX750P (Ninja) ZX7R 96-03, ZX900 Ninja ZX9R 94-99, Suzuki VZ1600 MT __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936 Last edited by MAS Tequila; 02-27-2017 at 03:19 PM.
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02-28-2017, 04:36 PM	#11
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	My factory stem bearings were tapered roller bearings, and I used the "All Balls" tapered roller bearings when I redid mine about 9 years ago. I also put a grease zerk in the neck while I had it apart. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
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02-28-2017, 05:38 PM	#12
DragonLady58 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Somewhere South of Alaska.... Posts: 2,351	I know the 1600s they updated to the tapered bearings, The 1500s you can still get the std. ball and races type (For the ones that don't know any better). I believe, I haven't bought them thru MaKawa lately since I get the tapered ones thru AllBalls, but I think I remember someone, one of my mechanic friends saying that you can get them thru MaKawa now, at the MaKawas nice overinflated prices. Cheaper to go thru AllBalls.... Yea, my bike has zerks sprouting out all over the place! Neck, Swing Arm, both sides, etc.... __________________ --------------------- Don't start no schit, there won't be no schit.... My Sarcasm is directly proportional to the amount of Stupidity involved --------------------- VBA#03239 VROC#37400 VRA --------------------- 2014 Vaquero 2001 Nomad FI 2003 Street Glide (sold) 1500 Meanie, fresh rebuild (sold) 90s BUBF Bobber (sold) 2001 UltraCycle FatPounder (Sold) 1975 HD ElectraGlide (Sold) 1982 Kawasaki Z1 Chopper (Sold) Suck It Up & Ride! Last edited by DragonLady58; 02-28-2017 at 05:43 PM.
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03-07-2017, 05:29 PM	#14
JayJay Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 145	Well I got it done....well had it trailered to a new shop run by 2 young guys and it took him 5 hrs to do it. He showed me the bearing and it pretty much disinigrated and seized,there was no grease in there at all. Had the All Balls installed and without even driving it I could feel a difference in the steering. Best $300 I ever spent. Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk __________________ 08 Vulcan Nomad 1600 Red and Black colour scheme Mustang 2 up seat with back rests Highway pegs Hard bags with rear trunk Accent LED'S Baron Air Cleaner Sony MP3 Player Infinity6x9 2004 Vulcan 2000 (sold)
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