steering bearings?

[Bodge]

How bad is a little play in the steering bearings? Like they feel real smooth but if i grip the bottom of the forks and pull i do feel some play. Do the lower fork tubes move inside the upper forks at all? Im like paranoild about this but it beats paying for the new bearings lol. Could i remove the forks and grip the lower clamp and see if it moves? What way is most accurate? Also what grease is best for the suspension linkage? Any brands in particular?

 

[Peer Lovell]

There shouldn't be any play in the steering head bearings at all.
Dissasemble the stem and see if the bearings are in good shape. Perhaps all it needs is adjustment.
For suspension linkage I find that any top quality 100% synthetic grease works great.
Do them at least once per year.

 

[elf]

Bel-ray water proof grease works well on the linkage bearings.

 

[MikeT]

No play at all, but also don't make them too tight. When you are adjusting the nut under the top triple clamp it is a very fine line you are dancing on for it's adjustment. Do it a couple of times and you'll see what I mean.

 

[Bodge]

Thanks, im going to have to remove the forks so can i adjust it w/o the forks? Like gripping the bottom clamp? Will this be accurate?