Headrace bearings,how long do they last?

[YamR1,V64motion]

i think the headrace bearings on my 600RR could be on the way out, the familiar small knock when putting the front brake on came today and the front has just started to feel slightly wierd, its never been over and has only done 3300 miles, surely they last longer than this? although i have heard its a Honda weak point i thought i would at least see 5k.
does anyone know how difficult they are to change as no doubt it will cost a fortune from a dealer for probably only 1 hours work.

[dern]

My blade had just come up for 22000 miles and it was an advisory on the last mot but I can feel nothing and certainly not a knock like to one you describe. I'd expect notchiness in the steering movement with the front end suspended. Get a mate to hold the bike on the side stand and the back wheel (lean it back) lifting the front of the ground while you work out where the play is.

Changing them is a case of getting the front end of the ground, removing the wheel and the forks and going from there. You will have to support the bike such that the weight is off the front wheel but without lifting using the wheel/forks or the bit where the front paddock stand normally goes as it's under the steering stem because you'll need to take that off. I'd do it by hanging the front of the bike from my engine crane.

Mark

[Carrera2]

Surely they last longer than that??? I've never changed one on any of my previous bikes and have put over 15k on some of them.

Could the knock be something else?

[BliarOut]

They probably just need adjusting unless you do a lot of wheelies.

[YamR1,V64motion]

BliarOut said:

They probably just need adjusting unless you do a lot of wheelies.

i do them occasionaly but not very often,not really my thing.
thanks for the help everyone, its annoying to think they could have gone after so few miles,the knock is a little one when you put on the front brake and the steering is mostly fine but it just felt ever so slightly off today- like thier just starting to go.

[YamR1,V64motion]

dern said:

My blade had just come up for 22000 miles and it was an advisory on the last mot but I can feel nothing and certainly not a knock like to one you describe. I'd expect notchiness in the steering movement with the front end suspended. Get a mate to hold the bike on the side stand and the back wheel (lean it back) lifting the front of the ground while you work out where the play is. Changing them is a case of getting the front end of the ground, removing the wheel and the forks and going from there. You will have to support the bike such that the weight is off the front wheel but without lifting using the wheel/forks or the bit where the front paddock stand normally goes as it's under the steering stem because you'll need to take that off. I'd do it by hanging the front of the bike from my engine crane. Mark

thanks for the advice , they sound like a major pain in the ass to do, how much should it cost to have them done by a bike mechanic? parts(about £40 ish if i remember correctly) and would 2 hours labour be about right?

[BliarOut]

Personally I wouldn't go to those lengths to adjust them. If there's play (Detectable by placing your finger next to the outer cup and pushing the bike on the brakes) just nip them up slowly until it the play is gone. Should only be a five minute job.

[yoda954]

My ZX6 G2's were terrible - needed replacing every 6000 miles. I'd have been more understanding if I was constantly wheelying......but I wasn't.
The Blade's done 16k now without a hint of the tell-tale headrace signs
I think it's just down to the quality of parts used at the end of the day between manufacturers......which is one reason I didn't go for a ZX9

[yoda954]

[quote=YamR1,V64motion]i think the headrace bearings on my 600RR could be on the way out........[/quote]

My ZX6 G2's were terrible - needed replacing every 6000 miles. I'd have been more understanding if I was constantly wheelying......but I wasn't.
The Blade's done 16k now without a hint of the tell-tale headrace signs
I think it's just down to the quality of parts used at the end of the day between manufacturers......which is one reason I didn't go for a ZX9.......however from what you say above; that's that theory down the pan

>> Edited by yoda954 on Sunday 9th October 23:42

[YamR1,V64motion]

yoda954 said:

My ZX6 G2's were terrible - needed replacing every 6000 miles. I'd have been more understanding if I was constantly wheelying......but I wasn't. The Blade's done 16k now without a hint of the tell-tale headrace signs I think it's just down to the quality of parts used at the end of the day between manufacturers......which is one reason I didn't go for a ZX9

a choice between a ZX9 or a 954 Fireblade?,belive me you made the right choice,i used to have a 954 thier an amazing bike,so much so im even considering another one, just waiting to see if this 2006 fireblade is as great as everyone says if not its going to be a blue/black 954 for me

[yoda954]

[quote=YamR1,V64motion]

a choice between a ZX9 or a 954 Fireblade?,belive me you made the right choice,i used to have a 954 thier an amazing bike,so much so im even considering another one, just waiting to see if this 2006 fireblade is as great as everyone says if not its going to be a blue/black 954 for me[/quote]

Ah yes - the blue/black are deffo the colour to have

[Mad Dave]

The noise could just be the pads moving?

A friend just paid £80 incl. the bearings to have his done. Bike = T plate ZX6R.

[YamR1,V64motion]

yoda954 said:

[quote=YamR1,V64motion] a choice between a ZX9 or a 954 Fireblade?,belive me you made the right choice,i used to have a 954 thier an amazing bike,so much so im even considering another one, just waiting to see if this 2006 fireblade is as great as everyone says if not its going to be a blue/black 954 for me

Ah yes - the blue/black are deffo the colour to have [/quote]

yes they are, i had the red/black, the trouble is the blue/black is the rarest colour too