Bought a used 2001 KX 250 and after the first ride the steering head/stem bearings are toast. I had the bike apart when I bought it to lube everything, and I suspected the steering head/stem bearings were border-line, but I figured I could clean and lube them to squeeze one season out of them. They seemed to spin freely, so I thought I was home free. Now I have three questions:
1) How much torque should I put on the steering head nut? The manual says 58 ft/lbs but it can't be right. When I torque it to that spec, the assembly would bind and not turn smooth. I backed it off a little, but I'm starting to wonder if the torque was still to tight and that's what caused the top bearing to go bad.
2) OEM bearings are expensive as hell. Are the aftermarket bearings suitable? If so, what brand would you recommend (i.e. Pivot Works, All Balls, etc)?
3) This is bike specific. There is a very thin metal washer with a rubber outer seal that goes directly on top of the to steering stem bearing. Is there supposed to be an additional all rubber seal that goes on top of the entire assembly?
1) How much torque should I put on the steering head nut? The manual says 58 ft/lbs but it can't be right. When I torque it to that spec, the assembly would bind and not turn smooth. I backed it off a little, but I'm starting to wonder if the torque was still to tight and that's what caused the top bearing to go bad.
2) OEM bearings are expensive as hell. Are the aftermarket bearings suitable? If so, what brand would you recommend (i.e. Pivot Works, All Balls, etc)?
3) This is bike specific. There is a very thin metal washer with a rubber outer seal that goes directly on top of the to steering stem bearing. Is there supposed to be an additional all rubber seal that goes on top of the entire assembly?