My SY250's headstock (I think that's the right name? I mean the pivot between my forks and the frame) is apparantly in need of tightening and servicing.From what I was told this should be a pretty simple procedure, but it requires you to know what you're doing to do it right. I had been waiting to take someone up on their offer of help, but after several weeks we still haven't managed to sort out a good time to do it.

So... I was hoping someone here might be able to help! A explanation of what I might need to know in order to do this without prior experience, or just a list of pitfalls to watch out for, would be great.

Are there any sites like Sheldon Brown for motor bikes?

Thanks!

Dan,some other users on here have mention a sherco site full of helpful 'how to guides' but I ve no idea what its called but hopefuly someone will mention it for you.

If not ,its not tricky so you may as well strip it down and inspect and grease it instead of just tightening it.and iam not a sy owner so it may be a bit different for you but try un doing and removing the main headstock nut (might have to get the bars out the way first).then(with front of bike suspended in the air on a solid stand) loosen the pinch bolts on the top clamp(that clamps the fork legs in)and remove the top clamp and the botom half should drop out.

clean bearings and shaft and check for wear and if all looks well just grease it up and replace.If they are shot then search on here again for help on removing the bottom one.

when its back together,dont over tighten the main nut too much,just enough so theres no play but still turns nice.then do the pinch bolts up(grease them too).

Dan,some other users on here have mention a sherco site full of helpful 'how to guides' but I ve no idea what its called but hopefuly someone will mention it for you.

I think hes talking about a SCORPA!!

When you tighten the adjuster (the lower thing that turns is the adjuster, the upper one locks it)look for that sweet spot where you have taken up all the play, but there is no binding in the steering.

get to where you have JUST taken up the play and stop.

Too tight and you could start weaving at 60mph.

And get a haircut, kid!

Sorry...couldn't resist.

I'm old, a parent and a schoolteacher.

Try www.rypusa.com the Scorpa front end is made by the same people as the Front end on the Sherco.

Good Luck

Thanks for all the advice guys. I finally got around to doing this a few days ago, and it really was as easy as everyone said. I seem to still have a bit of knocking in that area, so I think I might have to tighten it all up a little more - easy enough now I know how

And get a haircut, kid!

Sorry...couldn't resist.

I'm old, a parent and a schoolteacher. 

Heh. That picture's actually a few years old, I look considerably different now! Although my hair is longer these days... at least it isn't black anymore.

Not really a kid either (at 22)... although I suppose such terms are completely relative; so if you're an old bugger you're quite entitled to call me a kid

You called it.

At my age, 22 is a kid.

The best test for your neck bearings is to get the front wheel off the ground, grab the sliders down by the axle, and push and pull to feel for play.

You may have a floating brake disk that is making it feel like there is play in the neck.

You may also want to check for clearance between the upper triple clamp and the steering shaft as mine had. Added a shim and took out this play as the nut being tight wouldn't seem to hold for long prior to shimming.

Also, the sound you're describing could be play in fork bushings. Slide up your dust cap, remove wheel, and try to move fork back and forth and watch for movement at the stanchion / seal interface. May need new bushings or other method to remove excess clearance.

Ian

Thanks for all the advice guys. I finally got around to doing this a few days ago, and it really was as easy as everyone said. I seem to still have a bit of knocking in that area, so I think I might have to tighten it all up a little more - easy enough now I know how

Is the knocking not just the floating front disk.