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Originally Posted by Weldangrind
There are no bearings in the head stem, only two clamshell halves with o-ring grooves. At the factory, they simply cut the o-rings to install them, so they don't sit like they should. I removed the bars and stretched new o-rings over the bar mount and rolled them down the steering stem to the clamshells. I used o-rings from the red kit at Princess; awesome value in that kit for around $10.00.
I also removed the steering stem from the pillow block and drilled and tapped it for a zerk. I then stacked stainless washers until the hole in the threads would line up with the castles on the nut. It's much better now, and the steering slop it had is gone. Yours might be tight because one of the o-rings are trapped in the clamshell.
If you remove the tie-rod ends from the steering stem, is the steering still stiff? Also, what amount of toe is in it now?
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I'll have to have a look at that and remove the tie rod ends... Your thinking one of the tie rods might be seized? I have (or had, I've messed with it since...) the toe in and caster/camber set pretty much at neutral. It doesn't seem to matter how I adjust it always wants to go left. I did notice when I had it jacked up though that the left side wheel didn't spin too well. Perhaps a bad bearing or sticking brakes could be contributing to it... Last time I was messing with the tie rods and ball joints I didn't have it jacked up. It would be nice to get the front end sorted, it's like night and day going from my Beast to my sons Mini Beast (other than his bike is tiny)
. Sure ran nice once I got it going though, spun donuts like crazy!
Cheers,
Stew