Problem with 8* trees

[qldscottie]

Hi All,

I seem to have a problem with my 8* trees that hoping someone might know about.

Install went well everything felt good. Went on a 4000k trip and on the way back I noticed that I'd developed an issue I'm thinking with the bottom bearing. The bike pretty much just wants to go in straight line. I can feel what I think is a notch in the bearing shell. When ever I attempt to turn the bars I have to get it passed the notch (or what ever it is) before I can turn. As I come back towards center it drops in and I lose fine control of the steering.

It's really off putting.

I'm going to put the bike up on the jack tonight and see if I can still feel it with the weight off the bottom bearing.

I'm thinking that if somehow I've got a groove in the bottom bearing shell that I can just turn it 90* and it'll be OK, I've just got to work out how I got the groove in the first place so it doesn't happen again.

Thanks

Scottie

[EvoMotors]

WOW! Nice advertising just before the end of the L&M 8* Trees group buy. I think you should send email to the L&M, They will definitely have an answer for you.

Is anyone else has the same problem?

[J.A.T.O.]

I had a similar issue with mine. Turned out I had overtorqued the stem bolt nut. I loosened mine up while in the air, lowered it to see how it felt on the ground then back on the jack and retorqued. It always felt a little different than stock after that but was def better after the re torque.


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[qldscottie]

I'm thinking that's exactly what I've done. I'll email L&M as suggested.

If that's the case then simply turning the bearing shell and backing off the tension on refit should solve it.

Thanks

[Clueless]

Sounds like you damaged the races and will have to knock them out and replace the bearings and races (with All Balls). Your description is the classic complaint, usually happens many 1000s of miles after roller bearings are installed, the riding of the motorcycle hammers the bearings into the race if you lift the front wheel off the ground, the front end will "self center" into a groove.. If you over torqued the stem that probably did it.

[J.A.T.O.]

Trying to remember. Didn't the kit come with new races for the supplied allballz?


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[460brevill]

Originally Posted by J.A.T.O.

Trying to remember. Didn't the kit come with new races for the supplied allballz?


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mine came with everything for the install.i did have to add a washer to the stem bolt to take out a little slack .

[J.A.T.O.]

Originally Posted by 460brevill

mine came with everything for the install.i did have to add a washer to the stem bolt to take out a little slack .

Forgot about that. I added a washer too.


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[EvoMotors]

Originally Posted by J.A.T.O.

Forgot about that. I added a washer too.


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Why didn't they include the washer in the kit? I think the description says "The complete kit". Are you sure the washer is required?

[qldscottie]

The response from L&M

It sounds like the first step is to replace the bearings, then make sure there is no slop in the fit. It's possible the trees were loose just enough that debris got inside to cause the strange feeling. Would you like to buy new bearings? Call us at 928-255-0230 and we would be glad to help you out.

May be there is a slop issue. Didn't get a chance to lift the bike last night. Hoping I can find replacement bearings here in Oz, don't want to wait two weeks for the replacements. I'll be a little peeved if I have to pay for replacement bearings because of a problem with the kit (needs a washer).

No point getting annoyed at this stage - it's probably something I've done wrong.