seating steering head bearings with IMA triple clamps???

[COP TZR]

I'm in the middle of upgrading my triple clamps to MOD1 "classic" upper & MOD1 "evo" lower IMA special parts (thanks Josh, a.k.a. junior varsity).  I've got new tapered All Balls racing bearings and the outer races are currently sitting in my freezer so I can easily tap them into my frame.

Once I get those in, is there a particular procedure on how to "seat" the bearings?  Do I just torque the steering stem collar snug and allow the triples to do the work to "squeeze" it all together, or....

thanks.

[Raux]

I was taught to use the old seat to tap it down until you hear a 'ping' as it hits bottom

but officially, there is a tool that pulls the seat down into the tube

[COP TZR]

I was taught to use the old seat to tap it down until you hear a 'ping' as it hits bottom

but officially, there is a tool that pulls the seat down into the tube

Yup got the old seat standing by, however do I have to crank the steering lock collar "tight" to squish it all together and then back it off a little so the trees turn freely without up or down play?

[jerryz]

make a puller get some 3/8 or 10mm threaded rod  2 large washers and nuts and pull the bearings in together nice and gentle no hammers or force needed

[ducpainter]

Don't use the balls to seat the races or you could 'brinell' (flat spot) them.

Just bring them up to proper adjustment.

[clubhousemotorsports]

Which bike? Is it the new style ST frame with the nut on top, or the older 851 framed bike?

[COP TZR]

Which bike? Is it the new style ST frame with the nut on top, or the older 851 framed bike?

2000 Monster, "hooped" rear suspension with  nut on the top triple.  Based on the older 851/888 bikes.

[COP TZR]

ok I've installed the outer races in the frame and seated them using the old bearing races.  You can definately tell when they've fully seated.

I am now however having issues getting the upper bearing to slide over the IMA steering stem.  Its pretty snug and needs gentle tapping to get it passed the threaded top portion of the steering stem.  The IMA stem must be a hair thicker than the OEM stem, because I can get the old & new bearing to slide onto the OEM stem pretty easily.  Is tapping the tapered bearing ok?  I had no choice but to do it this way so I can get the top bearing, dust shield and lock collar in place.

My other concern is the gap on the lower bearings dust shield and the bottom of the steering stem.  Its just over a 1/8th" gap and I dont know if this is normal.  I dont have any up or down play on the triples with the lock collar snugged up in place, and left and right movement of the triples seems fairly light, not super loose.... but light.  I'm guessing the grease in the bearings is making me think that its not moving very loose because of that.

Can you pros shed some light on this please so I can get my 998 forks in place and install my clip ons next.

PICS for a better understanding (sorry taken with old Iphone)












Should I "seat" the upper bearing more to take in that lower triple gap?  If I do that, then the trees dont turn freely, they will require force which I know is wrong.

[COP TZR]

    

Can someone have a look at their lower triple to see if there's a gap like mine at the base of the steering stem.  I made the mistake of not paying attention to my OEM parts before I tore it down.

[BK_856er]

FWIW, on my M695 with OE triples and bearings there is only about 1mm gap between the frame headtube and the lower triple.  On my 749s with Ducshop triples and Speedymoto tapered bearings the gap is seemingly bigger, but with the bodywork on I can't get a good view of it.

BK

[Howie]

No space on my stock triple, but I don't know if that is useful info for you.  Maybe a call to IMA is in order?  Or Josh?

[OzzyRob]

Mod1 are for 1st gen monsters ie up to 2001

Mod2 are for later monsters.

But I'm gunna assume that's a typo in your original post.

email Patrick directly at IMA in Italy, he's a great bloke and very very patient. English is no problem for him either.

p.costa@imasrl.com

If you can take a couple of pics with the clamps off the bike I maybe able to help out.

[Düb Lüv]

Here's mine with just the stem installed on an 03

[Düb Lüv]

You may have to get us a little better pic. It almost looks like on the duct cover on the bottle race isnt settled or positioned correctly but it may be the picture. Ill take so e closer ones of mine.

[COP TZR]

Mod1 are for 1st gen monsters ie up to 2001

Mod2 are for later monsters.

But I'm gunna assume that's a typo in your original post.

email Patrick directly at IMA in Italy, he's a great bloke and very very patient. English is no problem for him either.

p.costa@imasrl.com

If you can take a couple of pics with the clamps off the bike I maybe able to help out.

I stand corrected.  MOD1 "classic" upper & MOD1-"evo" lower triples.

I will have to shoot Josh an email since I got them from him.