87 K100 Steering head bearings

[87K100RS Basket]

Hello,
Curious if anyone could help me out with installation of steering head bearings. The clymer manual is a bit vague and I would like to make sure I get it right. What I need to know is whether the races that press into the frame sit flush with the frame or if they need to bottom out.

[Chri5]

the races (outer ring in the frame) should bottom out both sit a 1mm or so into the frame neck i have just done this on my K a note on my K at least the top race seat does not have a perfect edge so looks like its not quite seated but it is yours may be the same (check the lip/edge prior to install)  to ensure my where seated with out a press i used the old races (ontop of the new) 2 blocks of wood and a F-clamp to push them in after tap starting them worked a treat

[schrocketeer]

How stiff is the steering in a K100 "normally"?
I just got my '85 K100 on the road this week, after a barn find. Highway stability is fine. Parking lot steering is stiff/scary, it is so hard.
For reference, I'm coming off of 50k+ miles on a Honda Shadow 600.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

33 year old grease in the bearings may have something to do with it. 

Last winter I went into the steering head on a 92 K100 and the grease in the bearings had turned to glue and had to be heated to get it out of there.  The bearings would hardly move despite being perfect. 

[Chaos]

How stiff is the steering in a K100 "normally"?

With the bike on the center stand have someone push the back down to get the front wheel off the ground. The wheel should turn slowly from center position to the left or right stop with just a nudge.  It it's stiff either the bearings are too tight or the grease is petrified.

[Enfield]

With the bike on the center stand have someone push the back down to get the front wheel off the ground. The wheel should turn slowly from center position to the left or right stop with just a nudge.  It it's stiff either the bearings are too tight or the grease is petrified.

Is that the Way to check - when assembling it? Or is there a torque setting for the main nut?
 I Got no play in mine but there is no resistance at all - also frels a little too loose on highway.
Regards
Chr


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