This is done with known good head bearings-if there is any doubt, they're pulled, cleaned, checked, and repacked/replaced as needed.

STEPS

1. Jack the front end clear of the ground. Start with 20-25 ft. lbs. of preload on the head bearings and look for zero fore-and-aft free play, and free motion of the handlebars from stop to stop.

2. If there is any drag or binding, reduce the preload 5 ft. lb. and try again.

3. If there's still slop, increase by 5 ft. lb.

4. When you get zero free play and smooth motion, attach a small linear scale to one end of the handlebar and start adding preload until there is a smooth drag of 4-5 lbs moving the bar from stop to stop.

5. At this point, lock the preload with the lock nut and check that the 4-5 lb. drag did not change.

6. If it did, correct it.

7. If not, go test ride.

Craig Faith

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