Resistance in steering head
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Resistance in steering head
Hi all.
Was giving the bike a check over today, noticed with the back wheel held down on the centre stand checking for any movement on the head bearing, that the steering has a notch when on direct centre, which requires light force to overcome. For now it's not bothering the handling when riding as far as I can tell, but am interested if anyone else has had any issues with this before?
Was giving the bike a check over today, noticed with the back wheel held down on the centre stand checking for any movement on the head bearing, that the steering has a notch when on direct centre, which requires light force to overcome. For now it's not bothering the handling when riding as far as I can tell, but am interested if anyone else has had any issues with this before?
aka DrewJW
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Re: Resistance in steering head
"look mom, no hands " Prob for those who like to ride and do some texting at the same time ..I really dont know.
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Re: Resistance in steering head
you must be 300 lbsDrewJW wrote:with the back wheel held down on the centre stand checking for any movement on the head bearing

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Re: Resistance in steering head
Stood behind the bike pushing down ya git! had my father check the steering, then we noticed the notch.
aka DrewJW
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Re: Resistance in steering head
DrewJW wrote:Stood behind the bike pushing down ya git! had my father check the steering, then we noticed the notch.




nope there is no resistance, I checked for ya
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Re: Resistance in steering head
Thanks, will bring it up at service time then, see how big a bill it's going to turn out, this rate it's new tyre, service, and possibly steering head bearing.homie wrote:DrewJW wrote:Stood behind the bike pushing down ya git! had my father check the steering, then we noticed the notch.![]()
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git... need to look that up
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nope there is no resistance, I checked for ya

aka DrewJW
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Re: Resistance in steering head
That notchy feeling is indentation on the head bearing race. Either you hit a big bump, enough to bottom out the forks in big way, or you have very high mileage on you PCX.
It's not super urgent but it won't fix itself either. It will eventually need to be replaced with new bearing. Not a simple job but can be done by experienced person at his house.
It's not super urgent but it won't fix itself either. It will eventually need to be replaced with new bearing. Not a simple job but can be done by experienced person at his house.
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Re: Resistance in steering head
Got 6,600 miles on it currently, the pothole theory is possible though, did hit one at about 1,500miles, did have bike checked out though.Tonyx wrote:That notchy feeling is indentation on the head bearing race. Either you hit a big bump, enough to bottom out the forks in big way, or you have very high mileage on you PCX.
It's not super urgent but it won't fix itself either. It will eventually need to be replaced with new bearing. Not a simple job but can be done by experienced person at his house.
Thanks for the detailed response will pass it on to my tamed mechanic.
aka DrewJW
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Re: Resistance in steering head
That will be a worn steering head bearing. Time to replace it.
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Re: Resistance in steering head
Dealer warned me the steering bearing was worn and needed replacing at 6000 miles (coolant leak check) but quoted my 600 mile check was due soon !!!
- never noticed a problem now at best part of 10k miles and steering turns freely from left to right. As others stated, your PCX steering bearing does need replacing or will do if it gets worse.


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Re: Resistance in steering head
Well booked it in for the 13th, quoted a cost of about £130 all done. Fair enough I think.
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Re: Resistance in steering head
Quote or estimate?DrewJW wrote:Well booked it in for the 13th, quoted a cost of about £130 all done. Fair enough I think.
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Re: Resistance in steering head
All fixed, had some teething issues which got sorted. Left shop for a ride back home, only to get hit by a fucking stone from a van in front as I was moving out to overtake, which has chipped the left fender. It's a tiny chip smaller than a pin head, but noticeable by ME.
aka DrewJW
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Re: Resistance in steering head
DrewJW wrote:All fixed, had some teething issues which got sorted. Left shop for a ride back home, only to get hit by a fucking stone from a van in front as I was moving out to overtake, which has chipped the left fender. It's a tiny chip smaller than a pin head, but noticeable by ME.
There are a number of stone quarries near me. This happens on a near-daily basis around here.

Highly irritating.
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Re: Resistance in steering head
What are my options? touch-up given the tiny area, or throw a new panel at it? don't fancy stickering her up to cover it.
aka DrewJW
Re: Resistance in steering head
Gouge the other side with a screwdriver so you have matching scratches on either side.
Four decades on two wheels has taught me nothing, all advice given is guaranteed to be wrong
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Re: Resistance in steering head
DrewJW wrote:All fixed, had some teething issues which got sorted. Left shop for a ride back home, only to get hit by a fucking stone from a van in front as I was moving out to overtake, which has chipped the left fender. It's a tiny chip smaller than a pin head, but noticeable by ME.
Gosh, how ghastly awful.
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Re: Resistance in steering head
I know right, I shall write an angry letter to the local paper in the morning while having a Crumpet and Tea.you you wrote:DrewJW wrote:All fixed, had some teething issues which got sorted. Left shop for a ride back home, only to get hit by a fucking stone from a van in front as I was moving out to overtake, which has chipped the left fender. It's a tiny chip smaller than a pinhead, but noticeable by ME.
Gosh, how ghastly awful.
aka DrewJW
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Re: Resistance in steering head
DrewJW wrote:I know right, I shall write an angry letter to the local paper in the morning while having a Crumpet and Tea.you you wrote:DrewJW wrote:All fixed, had some teething issues which got sorted. Left shop for a ride back home, only to get hit by a fucking stone from a van in front as I was moving out to overtake, which has chipped the left fender. It's a tiny chip smaller than a pinhead, but noticeable by ME.
Gosh, how ghastly awful.
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