TT250 steering head - heads up
 

While working on fashioning an oil cooler mount last night I noticed that the left side of the steering head on my bike has holes in it. Luckily, I haven't had occasion to wash it yet as water could easily get inadvertently splashed into those holes and then get into the lower bearing. I'll just put a dot of RTV on each hole and call it good. At least it looks like they put a decent smear of grease on things. No matter though, as I'll be installing the tapered roller bearing set that I bought in due course. Along with changing the fork oil, etc... I just figured I'd pass this along in case anyone else was unaware that the holes are there.

Those are the rivet holes for your VIN, aren't they?
What happened to, or where is your VIN plate?

The VIN is stamped on the steering head on the opposite side. There was never a plate on there since I just got the bike new back in February. There's also a sticker under the wiring on the left side of the frame with the VIN and all the compliance information. Another one on the swingarm too, but no plate.

Yes, those are rivet holes for the frame/bike ID and Information tag. You may want to contact CSC

CSC's response is in the attached image.

Had a similar issue with a former Brozz 250 where grease was coming out as well as a rubber gasket and then it eventually started binding up. Took all apart and found a bunch of loose ball bearing.. A $5 set of bearings later and slathering of grease made it good as new. Never did neck surgery before but it was a good learning experience and fun since it was a success

Well there ya go. Problem solved from the source. Good info for anybody in the future.

Speaking of grease... 2 great spots to tap threads for grease zerks lol

You can text CSC?

I typically contact them through the pop-up chat on their website. Sometimes they respond with an email, but they've also responded by text.

Please let us know how the tapered bearings installation goes. The guy who does my state inspection harps on me to do that - I ended up replacing the originals w the same OEM replacement ones from CSC just so I could say I did, but they really didn’t need it. I think it’s the resistance from the cables he’s feeling or maybe just the dated design. However if you’re successful, I’d love to upgrade too! Pictures and part detail would be greatly appreciated!

I’ll be doing it here before too long. I just got my new tires, so I’ll be changing those out and changing the fork oil at the same time. Hopefully within the next week or so.

Ran into a setback
 

I disassembled the steering head on my bike this evening only to find that the All Balls Racing part number 22-1021 tapered roller bearing kit is not a fit for my bike. Both the inner and outer diameters of the bearings included in that kit are much too large. I've sent the dimensions of the bearings and seals that I need to All Balls and will await their reply.

The OE ball bearing races on my bike measure as follows:

Upper, 22.5mm I.D, 41mm O.D.

Lower 24.0mm I.D, 41mm O.D.

Stay tuned.

The light at the end of the tunnel got a little brighter.
 

A little poking around on All Balls' site got me headed back in the right direction. The bearings I need are part number 99-3516-5 and 99-3517-5. They're ordered and on their way with overnight shipping.

To be continued.

I've had that scenario happen in reverse. Ordered parts that fit a TT250 for my Hawk, only to find out they don't quite fit. They are similar bikes, but in certain ways built differently.

I have to get after my forks...oil, pre-load spacers...and now apparently tapered ball bearings. Thanks, guys!