Top and bottom steering races

[gopher]

What's the best way to install the top and bottom steering races on a CL77?
-Gopher

[davomoto]

Gopher, aside from pounding them in, you can get a 1/2 threaded rod,or a blot long enough to reach through head tube, some large fender washers, and press them in to the frame that way.

davomoto

[rbaselt]

Davo, that's a good suggestion, it's a more controlled approach. I use an aluminum drift slightly smaller in diameter than the race and drive them in with a hammer after greasing the edges. Best to measure the depth of inset prior to taking out the old ones to make sure you have fully inserted the new ones. --Randall

[gopher]

I too like the controlled approach. Am I correct to assume that I press these bearings in until they bottom out in the head tube?

[davomoto]

Correct, press the races in until they bottom out.

davomoto

[gopher]

I went to the local hardware and picked up a 9" piece of 5/8"rod. I bought two 1-3/4" washers and two nuts. Before I rigged everything up I tried real hard to line the bearing up so they would enter the tube squarely. I used a very small hammer to line them up and the bearings almost effortlessly began to move down into the head tube. When they were 3/4 of the way into the tube I put the rod through them and placed a washer on each side and a nut on each end. I tightened up the nuts and the bearings were pressed into the head tube with very little effort. Start to finish it took no more than 5 minutes. Thank you Davo! -Gopher

[davomoto]

Glad to hear it worked out well for you!

davomoto