steering head bearing adjustment on V-Strom 650

[VStromVoyager]

In a service video, the technician simply cleaned, lubricated, and realigned the steering head bearing. Should the adjustment be slightley tighter than stock, taking wear into consideration? Do you proactively replace your bearings at 16,000 miles while using bearing lube? Additionaly, do you set preload based on torque specs or your intuition? Seeking advice from experts

 

[Folayo]

I'm not super familiar with steering head bearing tweaks, I guess a slightly tighter adjustment might help with wear, but I usually follow torque specs

 

[GrandpaDrive]

In a service video, the technician simply cleaned, lubricated, and realigned the steering head bearing. Should the adjustment be slightley tighter than stock, taking wear into consideration? Do you proactively replace your bearings at 16,000 miles while using bearing lube? Additionaly, do you set preload based on torque specs or your intuition? Seeking advice from experts

Vstrom steering head bearings, tighter for wear? nope. That'll make your Strom handle badly and ruin the bearings faster. replace if truly worn.
but, proactive replacement at 16k? Unlikely needed. Vstrom bearings are usually tough. If they're lubed and feel smooth (no notches!), they'll go much, much longer.

 

[Missingthe10]

In a service video, the technician simply cleaned, lubricated, and realigned the steering head bearing. Should the adjustment be slightley tighter than stock, taking wear into consideration? Do you proactively replace your bearings at 16,000 miles while using bearing lube? Additionaly, do you set preload based on torque specs or your intuition? Seeking advice from experts

Yes, it's a good idea to replace at around 16k miles, just in case. Some have tried to stretch things out to 20k, but think it's an unnecessary risk. As for the adjustment and tightening, tighten until it's tight enough to remove any play and feel just a bit of drag. This is how it is with aftermarket parts, for some you'll need to do it by feel.

 

[StevenStorm87]

Okay, so this is something I didn't know. Haven't asked the previous owner about when he had it changed, so I'm guessing I should start considering this just in case? Is it DIY friendly or should I take it to a shop?

 

[Peggingaway]

Okay, so this is something I didn't know. Haven't asked the previous owner about when he had it changed, so I'm guessing I should start considering this just in case? Is it DIY friendly or should I take it to a shop?

It's not the easies job in the world, but I also wouldn't put it in the beginner friendly section, so I'd say it's mid-level difficult. There are plenty of videos online, but the biggest problem for some is having all the necessary tools to get it done. Check out a video and see if you have everything you need, including skills to replace it. If you're not sure, take it to a shop and have no worries about it.

 

[dustyhelmetclub1022]

Absolutely, it's definitely something you can tackle if you've got the right tools and a bit of time to spare. If you're lacking either, it might be best to leave it to a professional for your peace of mind