Torquing the steering head

[MongoWERA]

Since I can't find my manual on cd - anyone got the specs on how to do it? 30 foot pounds from the torque specs thread seems awfully tight.

Thanks!

[Monstaman]

Heya Sean, my book says 30Nm, attached is the sheet, see what you reckon.

Highlighted in red.

[MongoWERA]

Ha - yeah I meant Nm, seems a touch tight but then again, I just have the lower on at this point, I'll see how it feels with the front all the way back together. Thanks for looking! Of course, part of it could be the new tapered bearings too... Guess I should get off of here and to work since riding is the best test

[mountainrider]

I see that your bike is back together, Mongo.

Didn't you find that the torque spec for the OE bearings is way too tight for the tapered rollers?

Mine's coming back apart today for a retorque.

[CrimsonCloak]

When I went to the tapered bearings in my 748 I noticed the same thing...I ended up tightening them "to taste" sort of like the front wheel bearings on an old car. Just kind of played with it until they didn't feel too loose, and the steering had about the right drag in it. Seems to work ok so far. But no matter how you tighten them, they do have more drag than the originals.

[MongoWERA]

Once I got some weight on the front the 30nm seemed about right so I'm leaving it for now. Haven't ridden it yet since I had to head to the dealer show so I'll see how it feels then adjust as needed.