Steering head bearing notchy

M

Mike_P

New member
Location
North Yorkshire UK
Well I was just about to get the Jota out for its first jaunt in many years….however, I’ve just noticed that when the bike is up on its centre stand the steering is a bit notchy, drop it off the stand and the steering is smooth. So I’m assuming the upper steering head bearings are likely shot. I’m thinking of upgrading to tapered bearings, does anyone know of a supplier for a decent quality tapered bearing kit ?
 
More likely than not it will be the lower tapered bearing that's knackered. It's the one that takes about 98% of the load. Switching to tapered top and bottom won't help prolong the life of the bearings nor will it improve steering noticably.

The steering "smooths out" with the wheel on the ground because the effort required to turn the bars is far higher than with the wheel in the air and the slight notchiness is simply overplayed.

Both tapered and ball bearings are generic types and can be found in the catalogues of all major bearing manufacturers. Personally, I haven't experienced much difference between el cheapo and top notch, expensive bearings. The lower is poorly shielded and wears quickly. At least the upper ball can be a sealed unit and generally out-lasts the lower.

piet
 
I use a stainless cover over my upper bearing, got it from the UK bloke who did or does a bunch of stainless bits for Laverdas. Motalia comes to mind. They used to have a printed list of bits
 
Lots of more modern bikes use a lower dust shield with an incorporated rubber lip, far better than the stock type... if you can find one that fits as it should.

But that still won't prevent the bearings from wear, maybe prolong bearing life by a season or two. Ride the bike hard, the bearings will suffer. Has more to do with fork/headstock dimensions and geometry than anything else.

piet
 
Too true - it's rarely dirt causing notch-inducing wear, simply a never-ending series of micro hammer blows to the lower bearing from every imperfection in the road.
 
Paul Marx said:
What really revolutionises Jota handling is a different frame.
Paul
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Adding some rigidity around the front along with sticky tyres goes a long way. Still remains a heavy bastard though.

Proper handlebars instead of those frivolous adjustable things along with footrests where they should be takes handling to the next level. Not for wannabe racers though...🤣

piet
 
By the look of that long section of fork sticking out the top of the clamp I'd say the Motodd has addressed the issue of the 'long tall triple forks', Rob.

You look at the way the Japs went from almost universal condemnation for poor handling to top flite, and unsupported front ends have just gone shorter and shorter. And USD forks also allow even tall adventure style bikes to retain rigidity up front.
 
motoddrob said:
At 200kg this one rides like its on rails.
Best triple I've ever ridden for sure.
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Stick a M1R or similar into that Rob and it'll perform even better! ;)

Imho, one of the biggest failings of most aftermarket frames for Laverdas is that they were designed to accept as many as possible major components from a donor bike, including the forks in the case of the early Motodds. The silhouette of the Motodds changed dramatically with the introduction of the trick Mk IV front end, finally eliminating the bikes' Achilles Heel.

Telescopic forks have come a long way since then, almost any set from a 90's> UJM is stiffer/stronger/smoother than the weedy Cerianis and Marzocchis Laverda fitted. Even the humble mid-90's 600 Bandit from Suzuki has a stronger, better supported fork, complete with half-decent damping straight out the box!

USD forks are the ultimate evolution, but they just look crap in our clunkers... ;)

piet
 
sfcpiet said:
USD forks are the ultimate evolution, but they just look crap in our clunkers... ;)

piet
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Meh ... I guess it's a matter of taste. These babies are one of the best things out of all my mods to the SFQ (geometry and weight distribution to suit, not a simple bolt on). I went to a fair amount of trouble to fit an Ohlins steering damper off a ZXZ1400 or similar, even had it revalved ... but I've never had to turn it on.

SFQ at the IGA-big.jpegWarragul feed zone.jpg
 
My three ha'pence worth: My Triple, Maxton valved, Ceriani equipped, handles well enough for me.
It does what it does, and lets me do what I do. Has done for almost fifty years.
I'm sure there are many modern bikes which handle better, though it would appear to me, relatively few with riders capable of exploiting the advantage.
The Ducati Panigale is the most capable "modern" bike I've ridden. It was laughably easy to ride quickly. Certainly more capable than I am, but not nearly as satisfying as my Triple is to ride.
The satisfaction, to me, is the point, not the ultimate performance. The speed cameras, road surfaces and deleterious abilities of the average bunny in cars which light, wipe and stop/start by themselves make that extra performance superfluous in any case.

P1010080.JPG
 
sfcpiet said:
Adding some rigidity around the front along with sticky tyres goes a long way. Still remains a heavy bastard though.

Proper handlebars instead of those frivolous adjustable things along with footrests where they should be takes handling to the next level. Not for wannabe racers though...🤣

piet
Click to expand...
I find mine really comfortable - having the seat reformed after PO had cut a slice out of it cos he was a short arse ! The weight is nothing once moving 😆IMG_4607.jpeg
 
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