Posts
998
Joined
2/18/2019
Location
Palm Desert, CA
US
Edited Date/Time
3/4/2021 11:00am
So I ride KX450s. I currently have a 2021 KX450, I’ve also had this same problem on the 19 & 20. The steering stem bearings last about a weekend (exaggerating) but they wear out super quickly.
Anybody have any tips or tricks on how to avoid this issue moving forward?
& for the love of God, yes I grease them for all the vitards that are going to ask.
Anybody have any tips or tricks on how to avoid this issue moving forward?
& for the love of God, yes I grease them for all the vitards that are going to ask.
The Shop
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38 hours on my 2019 and using Maxima grease without any issues.
And FWIW, I don't use a pressure washer, just Mr. Clean Multi-Purpose cleaner and one of those fire hydrant style garden hose nozzles.
be glad you dont have a yamaha they burn threw fork seals, front wheel bearings and steering bearings
My first sign of rust on these bikes is when you take the bike off the stand after it sits for a few days the bars will be locked straight until you break them free. It's downhill quickly after that and they get extremely notchy, to the point where it can be pretty scary to ride, especially on rutted straights. I was surprised it would feel it while riding to be honest!
It looks to me like there is not an adequate seal between the upper inner race and the steering stem, so water runs down and rusts the lower bearing. I've also seen water run out of the bottom of the frame, even after the bike has sat for a week, so maybe that could be causing it too? Either way, no amount of grease will protect against that.
Side note... How come the guys who brag about not using a pressure washing are always from California?
Pit Row
I heard just recently that Yamahas (?) have a thicker seal on their bearings. Maybe research that.
This was my first race on my 2021 😬
Did you at some point find the way to solve this issue? Dealing with it constantly on my 23' KX450...
Thanks !
They just let water in more than other brands from what I can tell, I have to replace mine every 20 hours or so. I pack the shit out of them with grease, but water still gets in.
Only solution is to disassemble the front end after you wash to get rid of moisture (and who the hell is going to do that?), or just buy a couple bearings and change them out every so often. I just use the cheap aftermarket ones, OEM doesn't last any longer.
We're at the same point, 20 hours in only is crazy, if I find out about a better way than replacing them that often i'll post it, for now i'll have to stick to that...
I have had that issue on every KX i have owned… I service my head bearings every 10 hours (excessive i know, but i’m retired and bored) and it’s still pretty nasty in there after that low of hours.
https://carbonsolutions3d.com/products/yamaha-4-stroke-steering-stem-seal
I saw this the other day. It may fix the problem.
I’m no grease/lubricant expert by any means. All I know is what I learned working all those years on instrumentation and control devices, refineries and other industrial facilities. We used many different oils and grease on mechanical devices.
With that said when I pulled the steering head off my 24 KX450 I picked up right after Christmas. It was lubed with a crystal clean grease, it was slick as snot too. Probably a high end synthetic grease, it was good grease best I could tell.
As I recall the clear synthetic lubricants are used for corrosion resistance. Where a grease like high end red tacky grease or Maxima grease has better lubricantion properties, but lack corrosion resistance of a these high end clear synthetic lubricants. I thought about buying some clear synthetic lube just to have some, Amazon sells it but it’s higher then cats ass.
My point is, Kawasaki may have an issue with steering bearing corrosion. Therefore type lube they use on steering bearings. Just a guess on my part. I lubed my steering head with Maxima, it will do just fine for my purpose.
I think the problem is all the holes in the frame collect water and condensation is the problem. I think the more humid the climate the worse it is.
I can't wash a KX450 and not have a little water/condensation in the bearing. The bottom bearing is usually worse, don't make sense if water runs down.
The best thing I've done is mix anti seize in my grease and grease every 10 hours. Leave the front end together and drop it to grease lower bearing doesn't take long.
This is my hypothesis from my scientific data collected from 2 KX450's ridden by a construction worker.
Mixing anti size sounds like a good idea. I never thought of that.
Also never thought about dropping the front with everting still together to get to the lower beating. But lots of things I’ve never thought of lol.
Been on Green since 1979. Currently have a stable of 6 KX's. I doubt anyone on here would believe me, but I have an '05 KX250 2 stroke with over 900 hours. It was my main bike for 17 years!
Impeccably maintained, but I never have had to change the stem bearings. I've greased them at least twice per year every year. But I've wore out and replaced parts on that bike that most would never think can wear out. I still ride it frequently. Full Race Tech suspension and the bike settles into corners like a dream.
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