How to Adjust Steering Stem Bearings on a 2006 Honda Shadow 750

A Honda Shadow 750's front fork is attached to the motorcycle's steering neck, a tube-like structure at the front of the frame, via a pair of clamps secured by a steel steering stem. The steering stem pivots against a set of bearings pressed into the steering neck. Over time, the bearings will loosen in the steering neck and allow the front fork to move from side to side, causing instability at the front wheel. To prevent this hazardous situation, Honda requires an inspection and tightening of the steering stem bearings every 8,000 miles.

Things You'll Need

• Jack
• 5 mm Allen wrench
• 17 mm Allen wrench
• Phillips screwdriver
• 12 mm socket
• Socket wrench
• 24 mm socket
• Steering stem socket (Honda part no. 07916-3710101)
• Flat screwdriver
• Torque wrench
• Steering stem lock washer

Instructions

Steering Stem Bearing Inspection

1. Place a jack below the motorcycle's frame and lift the front wheel off the ground.

2. Grasp the lower fork legs on both sides of the front wheel, then point the wheel to the front of the motorcycle. Shake the front wheel and fork from side to side. The steering stem bearings are loose and must be adjusted if the front fork exhibits any side to side play.

3. Lower the front wheel to the ground and place the motorcycle on its side stand, if the front fork does not have any side to side play.

Steering Stem Bearing Adjustment

1. Lift the front wheel off the ground, using a jack placed under the motorcycle's engine.

2. Loosen the front axle pinch bolt, located under the right lower fork leg, using a 5 mm Allen wrench. Unscrew the front axle, using a 17 mm Allen wrench. Pull the axle out from the right fork leg, then roll the front wheel away from the motorcycle.

3. Remove the left and right switch assemblies from the handlebar, using a Phillips screwdriver. Pull the throttle cables out of the throttle twist grip on the right handlebar, then slide the twist grip off of the handlebar. Remove the clutch cable from the clutch lever on the left handlebar. Remove the handlebar from the upper fork clamp, using a 12 mm socket and a socket wrench.

4. Remove the upper fork clamp nut, using a 24 mm socket. Loosen the pinch bolts on both sides of the upper fork clamp, using a 5 mm Allen wrench. Lift the upper fork clamp off of the steering stem and the upper fork tubes to reveal the steering stem lock nut.

5. Bend the steering stem lock washer's upturned tabs away from the steering stem lock nut, using a flat screwdriver. Remove the steering stem lock nut and lock washer, using a steering stem socket (Honda part no. 07916-3710101). Tighten the steering stem adjuster nut to 18 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench.

6. Turn the front fork from side to side five to six times by hand to reseat the steering stem bearings. Tighten the steering stem adjuster nut again to 18 foot-pounds.

7. Place a new lock washer over the steering stem adjuster nut, then screw the steering stem lock nut into place. Tighten the lock nut until it is seated against the top of the adjuster nut, then turn it until its grooves are aligned with the lock washer tabs. Bend the lock washer tabs upward and into the lock washer's notches, using a flat screwdriver.

8. Push the upper fork clamp over the steering stem and the upper fork tubes. Tighten fork clamp pinch bolts to 20 foot-pounds. Screw the steering stem nut into place and tighten it to 76 foot-pounds.

9. Reinstall the handlebar onto the upper fork clamp, then tighten the handlebar nuts to 40 foot-pounds. Slip the clutch cable end into the clutch lever. Slide the throttle twist grip onto the right handlebar, then slip the throttle cable ends into the twist grip's catches. Reinstall the left and right switch assemblies onto the handlebar.

10. Reinstall the front wheel onto the front fork. Screw the front axle into place and tighten it to 54 foot-pounds. Tighten the front axle pinch bolt to 16 foot-pounds. Lower the front wheel to the ground and park the motorcycle on its side stand.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not ride your motorcycle, if the steering stem bearings are loose. Excessively loose bearings will cause a front wheel wobble that can create a loss of control, resulting in a crash.

References

• Honda VT750C/CA Service Manual; Honda Motor Company