CSC SG250 - Steering System; Steering Stem Bearing Adjustment

SG250 Owner’s and Service Manual
www.CSCMotorcycles.com
48
Item
Symptom
Cause
Vehicle Effect
Maintenance Action
Aging, exposure to
contaminants
The rubber sheath
abraded or cracked
Rear suspension overly
soft or harsh
Replace rear shock
absorber
Steering System
The handlebar, fork yoke, and steering components should be inspected and adjusted periodically to
check for any abnormal conditions. The front forks should turn evenly from side to side with no
interference or looseness. Apply the front brake and rock the motorcycle back and forth. There should
be on looseness or clicking in the steering head area.
Steering Stem Bearing Adjustment
This section of the SG250 Owner’s and Service Manual addresses steering stem bearing adjustment. You
only need to do this if there is free play in the steering stem bearings, or if the bearings are adjusted too
tight. Sometimes you can detect this by applying the front brake when coming to a stop, or by rocking
the bike back and forth with the front brake applied. If you hear or feel clicking in the front end, it is
likely you need to adjust the steering stem bearings.
The photos in this section of the SG250 Service Manual show the TT250 motorcycle. The SG250 and
TT250 motorcycles are similar in design.
The best way to test for appropriate steering stem bearing
adjustment is to put the bike on a lift to get the front wheel
off the ground. Once the wheel is off the ground, grab the
front forks near the front axle and pull the front end back
and forth. If you feel any play and hear the steering stem
bearings clicking, the steering stem bearings are too
loose. Next, turn the front wheel from left to right and from
right to left. If you feel too much resistance (it’s a subjective
assessment), the steering stem bearings are too tight.
If your assessment indicates the steering stem bearings
require adjustment, loosen the upper triple tree pinch bolts
on the left and the right side of the motorcycle. You don’t
need to remove the bolts; you only need to loosen
them. The intent is to allow the upper triple tree to move
with respect to the fork legs.