Stem bearing torque

[Red Wing One]

I would like to check the torque on the stem bearings for my 2012 Goldwing with EZ Steer.

Can someone tell me what the recommended torque value is?

Thanks in advance......Marcel

[Gold Rush]

I would like to check the torque on the stem bearings for my 2012 Goldwing with EZ Steer.

Can someone tell me what the recommended torque value is?

Thanks in advance......Marcel

Honda says 21 ft lbs. But I seem to recall EZ Steer bumps that up to 28 or 29 ft lbs. I have installed many rake kits and have the best result using 35 ft lbs of torque.

Hope that helps.

[trike tech]

Gotta agree with Rush on this one with one "side note".

I'd verify the type of rake kit used on your trike & be sure that company uses tapered bearings in place of the OE ones. I've seen countless conversions that used a rake kit that wasn't from the same maker of the trike kit (always good to be sure of what you have).

Also, when you check or install new bearings, torque the nut, rotate the triple trees from lock to lock a few times & re-check the torque (this will help seat the bearings & ensure they are properly torqued).

Also a "country boy" trick that I personally am a fan of for the GL1800/1500 (since Honda makes it oh so simple to check the bearing torque). On a nice smooth parking lot (or deserted road) get up to 5-10 mph & grab the front brake as if you're doing a panic stop (don't use rear brakes). Just as the trike "lurches" as it comes to rest pay close attention to the handlebars for any movement (a slight "jump" forward of the bars). If the handlebars "jump" your steering head bearings are loose enough to cause issues & need to be addressed (and possibly replaced). This isn't a "fool proof" check, but it's a quick & simple way to help determine if you may have a bigger issue than simply a nut that's a little bit loose.

[Red Wing One]

I’m going to throw a fly in the ointment here......I just got off the phone with the Tech that built my Trike and he tells me that I have a 3* rake triple tree that is probably by Champion (it was ordered with the trike kit!)

He said that it comes with the bearings installed and that they are ball and cage (not tapered bearings)

He said that he generally torques them between 20 to 25 ft/lbs.

He mentioned that he prefers tapered bearings and said that at around 75,000 Km’s he would change them over.

I’m hoping Jim Murphy will step in and shed light on this......I tried to PM him, but PM’s are not working on the board due to some potential hacking problem the board is concerned about.

[trike tech]

I’m going to throw a fly in the ointment here......I just got off the phone with the Tech that built my Trike and he tells me that I have a 3* rake triple tree that is probably by Champion (it was ordered with the trike kit!)

Not trying to stir anything up here, but the Champion rake for a GL1800 is 5 degrees over stock (at least per their website it is) & includes tapered bearings.

http://championsidecars.com/products...rhondagl1800/?

[Red Wing One]

That could be....I purchased the trike second hand. It is a 2013 Lehman Monarch LLS-ll.

The rake kit was purchased with the trike kit (I have a copy of the order)

I know the independent suspension is made by Champion....it has the Champion name all over it.

The order says it’s a 3* triple tree. What I or the Tech that built the trike don’t know is whether it was Champion or Lehman that supplied it.

Who knows....maybe someone other than Champion or Lehman supplied it!

[Gold Rush]

That could be....I purchased the trike second hand. It is a 2013 Lehman Monarch LLS-ll.

The rake kit was purchased with the trike kit (I have a copy of the order)

I know the independent suspension is made by Champion....it has the Champion name all over it.

The order says it’s a 3* triple tree. What I or the Tech that built the trike don’t know is whether it was Champion or Lehman that supplied it.

Who knows....maybe someone other than Champion or Lehman supplied it!

If you are POSITIVE the steering head bearings are OEM Honda style and not tapered then DO NOT increase the torque as we have been discussing. The cages can not take the increase. If I had the OEM style bearings I'd be changing them to tapered bearings PDQ. Why HONDA even uses that style is a mystery to me.

[Red Wing One]

I haven’t taken it appart yet, but when I do......I’ll be able to see for sure what type of bearings are in there.....the Tech sounded pretty sure that caged ball bearings were supplied and used.

I don’t have a problem with the steering......I just want to retorque what I have as a maintenance item......I ordered a stem bearing socket from DHS for $30.....it should be here soon!

[Gold Rush]

I haven’t taken it appart yet, but when I do......I’ll be able to see for sure what type of bearings are in there.....the Tech sounded pretty sure that caged ball bearings were supplied and used.

I don’t have a problem with the steering......I just want to retorque what I have as a maintenance item......I ordered a stem bearing socket from DHS for $30.....it should be here soon!

Good plan. That will take the guess work out of it. When you actually do the torquing, remember the hint Richard said about swinging the front end from lock to lock five times then rechecking the torque. Not every time, but usually it will reveal more tightening is required. I'm sure you'll be just fine when it's all done.

[Red Wing One]

Thanks Goldrush.....I will report back when it’s all done ✅