Hello just a quick one I am currently re building the front end of my nc 23 and the head bearings have had it are they a really hard job change and how much are they normally to buy.

no not too hard to change, once you got the front end stripped off ,
tap out the old races from the frame and the lower race from the bottom yoke , just have to be carful installing new bearings/races so you dont damage them while driving them back in , all covered in the haynes or youtube for some tutorials , the prinicple is basically the same on most bikes

I had a go on my nc 29.

Took the front end off - wheels forks etc.

Take off the top yoke and bottom yoke drops out. Catch it.

Tap the races out with a long tap/bar/screwdriver - the bottom one was easy as you are tapping down the stem. The upper one was a bit tricky as you are tapping up.

Used the old ones to tap in the new ones - I taped the new lower one in place with masking tape as it kept falling out when I tried to hit it. Try holding a new race an old race and a hammer! When it was in a bit and gripped tight I removed the tape.

The hardest part was getting the race off the bottom of the yoke, I cut mine off with an angle grinder, just kept cutting then hitting it with a hammer until it had a split in. Then it was loose and I could slide it off. If you go to deep you can destroy your stem.

You can use the old race to tap on the new one. Think I used a plug remover tool and the old runner - the tool was hollow and about the right size. Just kept tapping till it was down.

All a bit heath robinson but I cant afford garage prices. Just do each thing a bit at a time.

You will defo need.

GREASE - slap it in.
Bearings - set of
New dust seals - I re used the old ones but with hindsight?
New lock washer on top - I used the old one again?

The bearings were around £40 for the set.

Took a day and a half - but I kept stopping and faffing around on you tube for advice.

Also got the forks redone at the same time.

piece o piss job,
did my NC29 in a couple of hrs- 3 tops... with fafing about and coffee.
rear on paddock stand,
drop fairings off the front
loosen off ALL bolts for the job.
jack up under the engine block & support so it wont move
remove clip ons & dangle em
remove brakes
remove top yoke
unclamp forks
i left in the front wheel.. optional

buy a decent drift set & hammer
as mentioned, do be careful tapping in the new ones.
re assemble & go.

cheers guys av got the new ones on order now I tryed to clean the old ones up and re grease them but no luck I'v got away with it on other bikes so Iv got a new set on the way. I cant wait to have this project sorted hopfully sunday I can take it out for a test.

Like I said it took me a day and half but I was faffing around for ages.

It was the day of the royal wedding so was popping in out of the house. Plus trips to the bike shop for the bearings etc.

Its not that difficult, in fact 3 hours sounds about right time wise.

But better to take your time and get it right.

Youtube is always a valuable tool when doing this kinda of job.

My mates are amazed I attempted this, but the bearings are only £40 and its not rocket science.

ayup guys my new bearings turned up and they are a roller bearing type not the ball bearing type that is fitted its a cbr 400 rr k model should this have a roller bearing kit or a ball bearing kit I think the bike shop have got it wrong. Its taken 20 mins to get the front end stripped as I have done it so often these last few days.

They all seem to be roller bearings nowadays.

Does the same thing but with less wear and tear and pitting - more surface area etc etc.

Mine were ball bearings and replaced with rollers.

Cheers buddy Iv just taken mine out for its test ride and Im blown away with the improvement. the head bearings went in no probs.

I've kept quiet on this thread as I was a bit confused as to the knocking out your old bearings part as when I did my RVF front end swap the roller bearings just dropped out with the yoke.

I now see that if you had rollers why they would need to be knocked out, I'll be doing mine again with new bearings this winter.