Suzuki T500K tapered head stock bearings

[malky]

Has anyone managed to actually fit a set of these without using a machine shop to modify the stem ? I've had two sets now and neither fit - one of the inners is too big and one too small - they should be both the same size -doing my head in now !!!

[Alan H]

Here y'go Malky, that info you asked about yesterday.

http://www.kettleclinic.co.uk/kcforum/v ... 262#p24262" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[jabcb]

The steering stem on the T500 & GT500 are different.
Haven’t confirmed it, but its my understanding that the All-Balls kit for the T500 is incorrect & the kit for the Kawasaki H1 works.

Recently did the upgrade on the GT550 cafe build. Used the kit lower bearing but used a different upper bearing that is thinner.

I needed to do the steering stem mod per the All-Balls instructions. You don’t need to have a machine shop do the work. The existing machined surface is sufficient to position the upper bearing. The bearing just needs to slide down a little further. A grinder can be used if one is careful to leave the machined bearing surface intact. I had a local bike shop do the grinding.

[malky]

Thanks guys - put the original ball races back in the end - what annoys me more than anything though is the manufacturers stating that these fit the T500K when they are clearly not going to

[Alan H]

I think it's all balls.....

[malky]

I think it's all balls.....

I can think of a another word for it lol

[Zunspec4]

Thanks guys - put the original ball races back in the end - what annoys me more than anything though is the manufacturers stating that these fit the T500K when they are clearly not going to

I bought a set from Crooks when I was restoring my T500M. Fitted straight in with no mods required.

Cheers Geoff

[joolstacho]

All the head bearings I've done, the inner race of the lower bearing is a little larger in diameter.
This is to allow the bearing to slide down to the bottom of the stem, where there is a slightly larger diameter shoulder to suit the larger inner race diameter.

[malky]

The two sets I had were nowhere near - the bottom inner fell down the stem and was like a cock in a sock and the top inner would not even go over the threaded part - total waste of time it's bloody annoying that the manufacturers list them as fitting a model when they obviously don't !
Mal