Stem, Stem Bearing Installation
- Replace the bearing outer races with new ones.
- Drive them into the head pipe at the same time.
Special Tools - Head Pipe Outer Race Press Shaft [A]: 57001-1075
Head Pipe Outer Race Driver,
55 [B]: 57001 -1446 or Bearing Driver Set: 57001-1129

- Apply grease to the outer races.

- Replace the bearing inner races and oil seal with new ones.
- Apply grease to the oil seal.
- Install the oil seal [A] on the steering stem, and drive the lower ball bearing inner race [B] applied the grease onto the stem.
Special Tools - Steering Stem Bearing Driver,
42.5 [C]:
57001-1344
Steering Stem Bearing Driver Adapter,
41.5 [D]: 57001-1345

- Apply grease to the lower ball bearing [A], and install it onto the steering stem.
The lower and upper ball bearings are identical.
- Apply grease to the upper ball bearing [B] and inner race [C].
- Install the steering stem [A] through the head pipe and install the upper bearing [B] and inner race [C] on it.
- Install: Stem Cap [D] Steering Stem Nut [E]

- Settle the bearings in place as follows
Tighten the steering stem nut with 55 NВ·m (5.6 kgfВ·m, 41 ftВ·lb) of torque first, and loosen it a fraction of a turn until it turns lightly. Afterward tighten it again with specified torque using a steering stem nut wrench [A].
Check that there is no play and the steering stem turns smoothly without rattles. If not, the steering stem bearings may be damaged.
Special Tool - Steering Stem Nut Wrench: 57001-1100
Torque - Steering Stem Nut: 20 NВ·m (2.0 kgfВ·m, 15 ftВ·lb)

- Install the claw washer [A] so that its bent side [B] faces upward, and engage the bent claws with the grooves of stem locknut [C].
- Hand tighten the stem locknut until it touches the claw washer.
- Tighten the stem locknut clockwise until the claws are aligned with the grooves (ranging from 2nd to 4th) of stem nut [D], and bend the 2 claws downward [E].

- Install the stem head.
- Install the washer, and temporary tighten the stem head nut.
- Install the front forks (see Front Fork Installation in the Suspension chapter).
NOTE
- Tighten the front fork clamp bolts (upper) first, next the stem head nut, last the front fork clamp bolts (lower).
- Tighten the two lower front fork clamp bolts alternately two times to ensure even tightening torque.
Torque - Front Fork Clamp Bolts (Upper): 20 NВ·m (2.0 kgfВ·m, 15 ftВ·lb) Steering Stem Head Nut: 78 NВ·m (8.0 kgfВ·m, 58 ftВ·lb) Front Fork Clamp Bolts (Lower): 23 NВ·m (2.3 kgfВ·m, 17 ftВ·lb) Handlebar Clamp Bolts: 25 NВ·m (2.5 kgfВ·m, 18 ftВ·lb)
WARNINGIf the handlebar does not turn to the steering stop it may cause an accident resulting in injury or death.
Be sure the cables, harnesses and hoses are routed properly and do not interfere with handlebar movement (see Cable, Wire, and Hose Routing section in the Appendix chapter).
- Install the removed parts (see appropriate chapters).
Steering Stem Bearing Lubrication
- Refer to the Steering Stem Bearing Lubrication in the Periodic Maintenance chapter.
Test yourself
A quick Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.