How can I check the steering head bearings on an XB9R. What are the symptoms to look for please. There is a bit of a knock from the handle bars when you rock back and forth on the front wheel...is that a symptom

Jack up the front of the bike so the wheel is off the floor.
Hold the forks at the bottom keeping them straight an check to see if there is any movement front to back, no movement should be found.

what mileage has the bike done? assuming its an xb, 10,000 could be enough to have wear. about £45 for the pair, and a couple of hours to fit

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My Smugmug Photos

Take your forks out.
Then check 'em.

Edit: The head bearings that is - not the forks

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbi5Ggmk ... re=related

Knocking you can feel is almost certainly the pads moving in the caliper, which is dead standard.

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Mithered ta death.
92 MB
96 S2T
98 S1W
00 M2
01 X1
03 P3
10 CR

Done 12.5k. Thanks Maz. Makes me feel better

.......although, at 12.5 K your head bearings are definitely toast.

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Mithered ta death.
92 MB
96 S2T
98 S1W
00 M2
01 X1
03 P3
10 CR

Thanks Maz....feel much better now

quality