Steering head races
Moderator: Modsquad
Steering head races
Hi I've had my pcx for four years now. It's done 15,000 miles now and I'm having to replace the head races, I don't think that's very good ! Anyone else had similar issues ? Cheers
- Oyabun
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Re: Steering head races
Honda has redesigned the steering stem bearings a few years ago. The original ones had loose bearing balls, the new one has a ball basket and supposedly lasts a lot longer. The change is not a big deal, but needs disassembly a lot of the plastics.
Re: Steering head races
Yeah I have the basket ones so clearly no better. I've got it all apart just hope I can find a cheap kit, rather than pay Honda price. Thanks for the info.
- maddiedog
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Re: Steering head races
That's not a common failure on the PCX. Have you hit a lot of potholes, or do you ride offroads?
I put over 10k on my first PCX, including a bunch of offroad and city riding and never had an issue with the bearings on the steering stem.
Where are you looking at parts? It shouldn't be much at all for the bearings and a replacement race. I think the full assembly is a bit pricey, but it still shouldn't be over $40 USD.
I put over 10k on my first PCX, including a bunch of offroad and city riding and never had an issue with the bearings on the steering stem.
Where are you looking at parts? It shouldn't be much at all for the bearings and a replacement race. I think the full assembly is a bit pricey, but it still shouldn't be over $40 USD.
Currently ride: Nothing right now - mostly mountain biking with my boys until they're old enough to ride
Previously rides: 2011 Honda PCX 125, 2005 V-Strom DL650, 1974 Vespa Ciao, 2011 Honda PCX 170 (tons of mods - takegawa 170cc big bore kit, gears, etc), 1996 Honda Nighthawk 250, 1987 Honda Spree, 2000 KTM 125SX, 2003 Honda Silverwing, 2007 Genuine Buddy 125, 1998 Honda PC800, 2008 Buddy 125 (white), 2008 Buddy 125 (red), 2001 Honda Reflex, 1987 Honda Elite, 1988 Honda Spree, 2007 Yamaha Vino, 2007 Honda Metro, 2x 125cc pure-chinesium dirt bikes

Previously rides: 2011 Honda PCX 125, 2005 V-Strom DL650, 1974 Vespa Ciao, 2011 Honda PCX 170 (tons of mods - takegawa 170cc big bore kit, gears, etc), 1996 Honda Nighthawk 250, 1987 Honda Spree, 2000 KTM 125SX, 2003 Honda Silverwing, 2007 Genuine Buddy 125, 1998 Honda PC800, 2008 Buddy 125 (white), 2008 Buddy 125 (red), 2001 Honda Reflex, 1987 Honda Elite, 1988 Honda Spree, 2007 Yamaha Vino, 2007 Honda Metro, 2x 125cc pure-chinesium dirt bikes
Re: Steering head races
Sorry for delay, yeah think I've been unlucky ! Although the roads here are very bad. I managed to get a set on eBay and they are now fitted. Now just need warmer weather to try it out.
Re: Steering head races
Good or bad depends on whether they are worn out or have sustained impact damage.colster wrote:Hi I've had my pcx for four years now. It's done 15,000 miles now and I'm having to replace the head races, I don't think that's very good ! Anyone else had similar issues ? Cheers
If the suspension bottoms out and its ball bearings, the balls can easily put dents in the races and they need replacing.
You'll know if this has happened because with the front wheel of the ground the steering clicks in and out of the straight ahead position.
Hopefully the replacements you used are taper roller ones, they are a fair bit more rugged.

Four decades on two wheels has taught me nothing, all advice given is guaranteed to be wrong
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Re: Steering head races
Tbh four years on a set of head bearings isn't brilliant but it isn't the end of the world.
They take the front end loading and are very rarely adjusted or re-lubricated.
My old grandad taught me how to regresase the front head race ever year on bikes when I was around five. Seems to work on bikes too.
They take the front end loading and are very rarely adjusted or re-lubricated.
My old grandad taught me how to regresase the front head race ever year on bikes when I was around five. Seems to work on bikes too.
- homie
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Re: Steering head races
How old is your Bike? Where do you live, coastal or inland? Indoor stroage or out side? And most curious... how many people pile on your PCX with you when you ridecolster wrote:Hi I've had my pcx for four years now. It's done 15,000 miles now and I'm having to replace the head races, I don't think that's very good ! Anyone else had similar issues ? Cheers

Re: Steering head races
Thanks for all the replies on this, for the record I have had many bikes over the last 40 years, i only weigh 56 kilograms, never carry a pillion or give my pcx any abuse. It's the first scooter I've ever had and I have to say it's exeded all expectations in terms of comfort,road holding, performance, economy and reliability. I now think the premature wear is down to the appalling state of the roads here in Kent.
Re: Steering head races
56?
Surely that's a typo!
Surely that's a typo!
Four decades on two wheels has taught me nothing, all advice given is guaranteed to be wrong
- you you
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Re: Steering head races
gn2 wrote:56?
Surely that's a typo!
Why? That's around 8 1/2 stone isn't it?
Re: Steering head races
Yep 8 1/2 at least I get good acceleration !
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Re: Steering head races
i can find on wemoto those tapered bearings .. but without seals.. any advise where to find full steering head bearing kit ?
- maddiedog
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Re: Steering head races
Looks like part number 53214-GN5-900, google that.retry wrote:i can find on wemoto those tapered bearings .. but without seals.. any advise where to find full steering head bearing kit ?
I'm in no way associated with this site, I just googled honda pcx microfiche to get sites that have parts diagrams like this... Anyways, here's the assembly and part numbers, hope that helps: https://www.bike-parts-honda.com/honda- ... 10/2/15783
Currently ride: Nothing right now - mostly mountain biking with my boys until they're old enough to ride
Previously rides: 2011 Honda PCX 125, 2005 V-Strom DL650, 1974 Vespa Ciao, 2011 Honda PCX 170 (tons of mods - takegawa 170cc big bore kit, gears, etc), 1996 Honda Nighthawk 250, 1987 Honda Spree, 2000 KTM 125SX, 2003 Honda Silverwing, 2007 Genuine Buddy 125, 1998 Honda PC800, 2008 Buddy 125 (white), 2008 Buddy 125 (red), 2001 Honda Reflex, 1987 Honda Elite, 1988 Honda Spree, 2007 Yamaha Vino, 2007 Honda Metro, 2x 125cc pure-chinesium dirt bikes

Previously rides: 2011 Honda PCX 125, 2005 V-Strom DL650, 1974 Vespa Ciao, 2011 Honda PCX 170 (tons of mods - takegawa 170cc big bore kit, gears, etc), 1996 Honda Nighthawk 250, 1987 Honda Spree, 2000 KTM 125SX, 2003 Honda Silverwing, 2007 Genuine Buddy 125, 1998 Honda PC800, 2008 Buddy 125 (white), 2008 Buddy 125 (red), 2001 Honda Reflex, 1987 Honda Elite, 1988 Honda Spree, 2007 Yamaha Vino, 2007 Honda Metro, 2x 125cc pure-chinesium dirt bikes