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2009 Tenere Steering Head Bearings 2009 Tenere Steering Head Bearings
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Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
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  #1  
Old 3 Jul 2010
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2009 Tenere Steering Head Bearings
Hey Folks,

I've managed to aquire a nice little XTZ Tenere for a good price (+accessories) and decided to put it into the local Edinburgh Yamaha dealer for a service to give it the once over.
His report was the swingarm bearings needed taking out and regreasing but
the swingarm has just been replaced...? I'm trying to find a grease nipple to do the job myself but to no avail, any ideas?


Also, the steering head bearings needed replacing. They don't feel the best so I'll agree but what I don't agree to is the cost....... £160+tax+fitting!!
I've looked about a bit on t'internet and found others for about £50.00 or so (Wemoto, etc), which is a shocking price difference!

Could anyone advise on bearings they may have used which are good quality? and is this the usual dealer scam or do Yamaha really charge these prices?

Any advice would be great, thanks in advance
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  #2  
Old 4 Jul 2010
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I don't think you'll find grease nipples on many bikes these days so a strip out is all you can do. To be honest, the nipples on my DRZ don't get grease into all of the needle race on the swing arm but I'm sure it must help. I am on my second strip out and refurb.

Your Yamaha dealer is obliged to use OE parts so will pay lots for bearings I'm afraid.

A reasonably straightfoward job to do but time consuming to do it right (lots of cleaning)
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Old 4 Jul 2010
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Not sure about this but take a look at the xt660.com website, they have a good following of XTX/R and Z owners. Im an R owner myself and havent heard of any sort of grease nipples etc.
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Old 4 Jul 2010
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BYT is right regarding dealer prices - not only are the bearings probably more expensive (for the same quality - aren't they all made in the far east these days anyway?), but it is really the labour rate for stripping the whole front end off the bike to replace them.

If you can do that work yourself, and have someone local you can take the bottom yoke/steerer to to press off and on the new lower crown (they are on tight), then you'd save heaps of money doing the job yourself... like you say, the head bearings themselves should only be around £40-50 a set...

If you keep them well-adjusted, they should last you a long time.

J x
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Old 4 Jul 2010
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I paid 25euros for the steering head bearings for my XT600E plus 10€ at a friends shop to press the steering stem out, press it in again and press in the lower bearing!

Must say that I did take the front suspension and triple clamps off by my own which is fairly easy.

Vando
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Old 4 Jul 2010
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+1 for xt660.com. Use the search facility to find threads with 'steering bearings'.

But your 2009 bike is under warranty. Unless it's done a very high mileage I'd question why are you having to pay for the repairs.
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Old 4 Jul 2010
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High Mileage
I bought the bike off a guy whom had just finished UK-Cape Town on it so it was at 26,000 miles. So I'm not sure whether the warranty would cover it, probably not! I'll look into it further. After the trip down I'm surprised the bike is in such good condition.

As it's not major mechanical work then I may give the job to a non-yamaha (and cheaper) shop to do it supplying the bearings myself. The greasing of the swingarm may be a pain as I've no support for the bike, so again, the shop may have to do that too. It needs to be done as I'm going to the Spain HU meeting in September and flying it down to Cape Town in October for the trip back up.

Thanks for your help guys, as always it's much appreciated.
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Old 17 Jul 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by geoffshing View Post
I bought the bike off a guy whom had just finished UK-Cape Town on it so it was at 26,000 miles. So I'm not sure whether the warranty would cover it, probably not! I'll look into it further. After the trip down I'm surprised the bike is in such good condition.

As it's not major mechanical work then I may give the job to a non-yamaha (and cheaper) shop to do it supplying the bearings myself. The greasing of the swingarm may be a pain as I've no support for the bike, so again, the shop may have to do that too. It needs to be done as I'm going to the Spain HU meeting in September and flying it down to Cape Town in October for the trip back up.

Thanks for your help guys, as always it's much appreciated.
As Tim said, go to . : XT660.com The #1 xt660 resource : . | The #1 xt660X, xt660R and xt660Z Tenere resource

You will likely find what you need there.

The Z is a simple bike (thank God) and I'ts not hard to strip the front of the bike off. Nor is it difficult to strip the swing arm end of things off. The manual will tell you if it really needs sorting. All you need is a strong box or better still get a centre stand. This will also help with your inevitable punctures during your trip.
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Last edited by Old Git Ray; 17 Jul 2010 at 17:25.
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Old 17 Jul 2010
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I'm downloading it right now at this moment for you!
Took me one minute to find the download link lol

I'll let you know when I got it.

plus, it's for free!


Vando
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  #10  
Old 17 Jul 2010
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Yeah, here it is:

MEGAUPLOAD - The leading online storage and file delivery service

It's the real thing!

2008 XT660Z Ténere Service Manual


Vando
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  #11  
Old 17 Jul 2010
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A Gentleman
You Vando Sir,

Are a true Gentleman...........! I've just downloaded the file and it came out beautifully! Many Thanks!!

The steering head bearing job does require a new tool of which I'll look for but other than that, reasonably easy. Also the centre stand isn't connect to the swingarm, as older XTs then I can do that one too!

I'm heading through Portugal after the Malaga meet en route to Porto and would like to buy a pint when I pass through Setubal, Sant Maria to show my appreciation.
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Old 18 Jul 2010
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You're welcome!

If I'm here in Setubal, I'll take that pint!
When is that meeting?

I'm leaving to Santa Maria island (it's in Azores) in a week (on the 25th) up until October so.. raincheck?

Anyway, I'm glad I could help!


Vando
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