Steering head bearings and nut

[jabcb]

I asked about this on the GS forum & got a useful response.

For the top use bearing 99-3509 (25x48x13mm). For the bottom use bearing 99-3515 (30x48x12mm).
Take the lower triple tree & bearing to a machine shop. Have them make a shim that provides the proper interference fit, and assemble it.

Using the standard All-Balls kit & grinding 2.5mm off of both bearings is a total PITA way to save 5mm.
This solution is more expensive but is a straight forward way to save 4mm.

Any thoughts?

[sportston]

That sounds like a great idea!

[jabcb]

One more issue worth noting…

The stock dust seal for the top bearing, part # 51643-30000, is intended for the stock ball bearings.
The center section is too thick for use with tapered roller bearings. I remember someone commenting that they needed to retighten the steering stem nut — that may be due to the use of the stock dust seal.

Suzuki switched to tapered roller bearings after the two strokes were discontinued.
The redesigned dust seal is part # 51643-49002. It fit just fine on my GT550. But I sanded down the top lip just a smidgen to give a little more clearance.