[cboi]

which way does it go on a vulcan 900 ? (2007 custom) the way i belive it came out https://photos.app.goo.gl/Egzvx7UkrhXopoe18

https://photos.app.goo.gl/PXJnzi9cDcyDNCWHA this way it looks like it would fit up in the neck and seal better though ?

and am i supposed to use the lower seal that came in the all balls racing kit? it came with no instructions and their tech support was pretty worthless

 

[MotoMedic1]

Hi C,

• You AB kit should have two (2) seals included.
• The second pic is the way the lower seal goes on
• A service manual will have all the instructions you need to service or replace the steering head bearings

 

[Sabre-t]

To expand on MotoMedic1's response, yes, absolutely use the seals that came with the All Balls bearings. The OEM seals will not work correctly with the All Balls bearings.

 

[cboi]

so am I supposed to use both lower seals, the one shown in pics and the one from the all balls kit? I just seems wrong. the ab kit lower seal does not fit down over the raised lip on the stem, it just sits on top. also the factory service manual does not show the lower seal in enough detail to tell what way it goes

im not sure how or why the OEM lower seal was installed upsidedown, and looking through Google images which none are very good it looks like they are also that way

 

[MotoMedic1]

So the kit should have two different bearings and seals. The large bearing and seal fits to the bottom. The seal ahs a black face (outside) and a greenish face (inside). The black face goes against the lower fork brace while the bearing will seat against the greenish face.

 

[cboi]

thanks for the reply . I understand how the bearings and seals in the all balls kit go, I'm just confused about the Kawasaki lower seal. if it's supposed to be used with the all balls kit or not. and if so which way it faces.

the factory service manual does not show the seal in any detail .

 

[MotoMedic1]

Throw away all the old parts. You are replacing the 2 seals, 2 races and 2 tapered bearings.
Does the factory manual have a suspension parts breakdown diagram at the front or back of the chapter? That may be helpful.

 

[cboi]

there is no clear pictures in the factory service manual or in parts diagrams online, if there was i wouldnt be having this issue. the problem is the lower seal, there is a factory one that is totally differnt then the one in the kit. the bike uses tapered roller bearings stock so its not like this is some kind of upgrade kit . all balls tech support just said "replace it" when i asked what to do about the two different lower seals. when i asked for clarifcation they said they would get back to me

 

[cboi]

this one circled, seems like it needs to stay/be replaced. its not like the one in the kit. it fits over the circled area. the kit lower seal just sits on top

 

[Sabre-t]

this one circled, seems like it needs to stay/be replaced. its not like the one in the kit. it fits over the circled area. the kit lower seal just sits on top

The circled part is the grease seal. Discard and use the seals that came with the All Balls bearings.

 

[MotoMedic1]

If you can include some actual pics of your steering stem of what you mean by the kit seal just sitting on top.
When the lower bearing is removed from the stem the bearing seal should slide off.
The kit should have two seals. One has a much larger inner diameter than the other. The large diameter seal goes onto the stem FIRST, then the bearing.
Again, images of the work area may be helpful.

 

[cboi]

yes I understand the order the parts should go in, it's just the bottom seals
heres a video

vn900 lower neck bearings seal

youtube.com

 

[MotoMedic1]

Hi C,

• I would NOT recommend that you leave the seal off. Especially the lower one.
• They sent the wrong kit or someone picked the wrong parts when they filled the box for packaging
• I can't imagine they figured with the thin metal backing of the lower seal they supplied would allow for the bearing to set properly at the bottom of the stem.
• You will either call AB and have them send the correct lower seal or get the actual OEM seal. The seal should have numbers on it like the bearing to identify it. You may be able to find a supplier that offers it cheaper than Kawi.
• That should have been kit #22-1009