Two Stroke Motocross

Two Stroke Motocross Forum => Technical => Topic started by: Woo on February 28, 2013, 07:39:33 PM

Title: Needed quick help from RM 125 owners (steering stem)
Post by: Woo on February 28, 2013, 07:39:33 PM: Hi everyone,
I was reading this forum for a few years and only today finally registered This winter I am rebuilding my RM 125 2008, later will start another thread with many pictures to show. But now, during the reassembly, I faced a problem with steering stem. I installed new all balls bearings (bearing races are seated properly for sure) and when I reassembled the steering stem I noticed that the bearing tension nut doesn't have enough threads to thread on and same problem with the top nut. The pictures below will make it more clear what I am talking about. The steering stem shaft doesn't stick out enough from the frame.

The stem is not flush with the bottom triple, stem protrudes about 1-2 mm.

Could you guys please check on RM's to see how the top nut looks? Is it flush with the stem or does the stem stick out from the nut? And is the base of the stem flush with the bottom of the lower triple?
Title: Needed quick help from RM 125 owners (steering stem)
Post by: ford832 on February 28, 2013, 08:38:33 PM: Assuming you never had the stem out of the lower clamp and therefore it's fully seated,then either your top or bottom(or both) bearing races aren't fully seated in the housing.
Title: Needed quick help from RM 125 owners (steering stem)
Post by: Woo on February 28, 2013, 08:42:00 PM: Bearing races are definitely well seated, rechecked them twice. I have replaced steering stem bearings on other bikes a few times so I do know how to install them.

I bought this RM not from new so I can't be sure that the stem wasn't pressed by previous owner.
Title: Needed quick help from RM 125 owners (steering stem)
Post by: evo550 on March 01, 2013, 01:37:02 AM: All balls kits aren't always right, I've had steering stem and swing arm bushes not fitting properly. The dealer exchanged them and next set fitted spot on.
Title: Needed quick help from RM 125 owners (steering stem)
Post by: TMKIWI on March 01, 2013, 03:42:33 AM: Quote from: evo550 on March 01, 2013, 09:37:02 AM
All balls kits aren't always right, I've had steering stem and swing arm bushes not fitting properly. The dealer exchanged them and next set fitted spot on.

Bearings are probably too wide.
Check them against your old bearings.
Title: Needed quick help from RM 125 owners (steering stem)
Post by: Rm125guy on March 01, 2013, 05:31:37 AM: Hey I just checked my 2002 Rm125 and it is flush at the bottom, and sticks out 1-3 mm past the locknut on the top. It also has Emig Racing triple clamps if that is of any help.
Title: Needed quick help from RM 125 owners (steering stem)
Post by: Woo on March 01, 2013, 09:32:17 AM: Well I have used all balls many times and never had an issue. I didn't measure the bearing with race before installation. But later I measured just the bearing (without race) and compared it to the oem ntn bearing. The all balls bearing was only about 0.5mm wider. But I am missing here about 2-3mm.

Thanks rm125 guy for your help. Could it be that 2002 is a little different in front? Could anyone check their rm of the year 2004-2008?
Title: Needed quick help from RM 125 owners (steering stem)
Post by: Rm125guy on March 02, 2013, 03:57:13 AM: Stumbled across this site:

http://www.oem-cycle.com/SUZUKIRM125BIKEID.shtml

If you go over to the very right on that page it has info about the "triple tree" steering stem
Title: Needed quick help from RM 125 owners (steering stem)
Post by: riffraff on March 02, 2013, 04:30:14 AM: Cool site, lots of good info, but it says quite a few engine parts from an '04 RM250 interchange with an '06 RM250Z
Title: Needed quick help from RM 125 owners (steering stem)
Post by: Woo on March 02, 2013, 07:57:50 PM: Quote from: Rm125guy on March 02, 2013, 11:57:13 AM
Stumbled across this site:

http://www.oem-cycle.com/SUZUKIRM125BIKEID.shtml

If you go over to the very right on that page it has info about the "triple tree" steering stem

thanks, but as I understand, this site only tells that the steering stem is the same on 01-08 RM 125/250. For sure that is useful info, but I still need any info from rm owners regarding top nut and the base of steering stem
Title: Needed quick help from RM 125 owners (steering stem)
Post by: Woo on March 02, 2013, 07:59:18 PM: Quote from: Rm125guy on March 01, 2013, 01:31:37 PM
Hey I just checked my 2002 Rm125 and it is flush at the bottom, and sticks out 1-3 mm past the locknut on the top. It also has Emig Racing triple clamps if that is of any help.

Sorry, I forgot your previous post, you did check it on 02 RM 125. That means that it is possible to press the stem flush with the lower triple right?
Title: Needed quick help from RM 125 owners (steering stem)
Post by: _X_ on March 02, 2013, 10:24:46 PM: just helped a friend change springs in his 07 rm 125's forks today and the top of the stem was even with the nut, made a point to measure and it is flush on the 07 model. hope ths helps woo.
Title: Needed quick help from RM 125 owners (steering stem)
Post by: ford832 on March 02, 2013, 11:07:31 PM: Regardless of whether the base of the stem sits flush or not,if you didn't touch it and everything sat fine before,then your problem isn't the stem.
Title: Needed quick help from RM 125 owners (steering stem)
Post by: _X_ on March 02, 2013, 11:10:55 PM: ford what happened to your beaver avatar?
Title: Needed quick help from RM 125 owners (steering stem)
Post by: ford832 on March 02, 2013, 11:25:36 PM: Sachs finally shot it and ate it because of the Maico message.He may be resurrected someday depending how the new Maico's go,We'll see.