Quick question:
Are there any good alternatives for the various specialty tools needed to work on the steering and suspension?
Long Question:
I have a 2006 that was purchased by the PO for his MidLifeCrisis, and he took it from crate to straight across country, putting about 24K miles on it. During that time I think he did zero maintenance. I recently pulled the antler bolts and found 3 in great shape, and one covered in white rust. This is a recurring theme on this bike.
I now find myself with a very bad shake as I decelerate @ about 48 mph. From everything I read this is from the steering head bearings having never been tightened. While I could just tighten them, the maintenance history leave me wary of just "hiding" the problem. At this point I would prefer to take the steering apart, and just replace the bearings. I'm doing all my own wrenching so the labor is free and most of the parts are cheap.
The problem is that when I went to go look for the speciality tools that are in the service manual, I find that they are not cheap. In fact they are damn expensive. And at least one specialty tool needed to seat new steering bearings is unavailable.
Sears, Harbor Frieght and others sell generic tools for pulling and setting bearings that are about a third of the "official" speciality tools. Will these work? Do I need to make sure they have a certain "size" they support? Does anyone know a specific part number or place to order cheaper alternatives?
Are there any good alternatives for the various specialty tools needed to work on the steering and suspension?
Long Question:
I have a 2006 that was purchased by the PO for his MidLifeCrisis, and he took it from crate to straight across country, putting about 24K miles on it. During that time I think he did zero maintenance. I recently pulled the antler bolts and found 3 in great shape, and one covered in white rust. This is a recurring theme on this bike.
I now find myself with a very bad shake as I decelerate @ about 48 mph. From everything I read this is from the steering head bearings having never been tightened. While I could just tighten them, the maintenance history leave me wary of just "hiding" the problem. At this point I would prefer to take the steering apart, and just replace the bearings. I'm doing all my own wrenching so the labor is free and most of the parts are cheap.
The problem is that when I went to go look for the speciality tools that are in the service manual, I find that they are not cheap. In fact they are damn expensive. And at least one specialty tool needed to seat new steering bearings is unavailable.
Sears, Harbor Frieght and others sell generic tools for pulling and setting bearings that are about a third of the "official" speciality tools. Will these work? Do I need to make sure they have a certain "size" they support? Does anyone know a specific part number or place to order cheaper alternatives?