Fork stem bearing replacement, how expensive and how difficult to replace...?

['85 Big Red]

... on my '85 Big Red?

Thanks

[deathman53]

it is a nightmare to get the bearing off the bottom clamp(atleast it was on my tecate) I think you need to have it pressed off. I took the tripple clamp off and used a actelene torch and heated the bearing till it broke into peices. when I put the new bearing on, I heated the stem and put the bearing on and hit it down with a hammer and channel locks. It was a pain, but it worked. Now that I know how hard it is, I would NOW take it to a machine shop and have them press the bearing off and press the new one on.

[secluded]

Originally posted by deathman53
it is a nightmare to get the bearing off the bottom clamp(atleast it was on my tecate) I think you need to have it pressed off. I took the tripple clamp off and used a actelene torch and heated the bearing till it broke into peices. when I put the new bearing on, I heated the stem and put the bearing on and hit it down with a hammer and channel locks. It was a pain, but it worked. Now that I know how hard it is, I would NOW take it to a machine shop and have them press the bearing off and press the new one on.

same thing with me(on the 350x) took me about half an hour beating on it with a pipe, and a hammer...finally got it out though. haddest bearings i've ever done.

[BiG ReDs All Da Way]

It's simple on a 85' big red I replaced them on mine a few months back...not hard..jsut a little time