Bike is '07 with 4500 miles. I've had it for last 1000 miles so previous maintenance is unknown. Fork tubes and shock linkage are out while suspension is being upgraded by Moto Pro. Are the head bearings easier to grease while the fork tubes are out? When I move the handle bars back and forth it seems pretty smooth but I've read that these historically are not adequately greased. Anything else I should tackle while the shock and fork tubess are out?

BTW I'm learning how to wrench so if something seems obvious it may not be to me.

Thanks!

 

Not had at all. I would pull the swingarm out also and grease everything with waterproof grease.

I like Belray.

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/1050/4284/Bel-Ray-Water-Proof-Grease

 

If you ride off road a lot, my head bearings went bad (notchy) at about 10K miles. If you are cheap, just remove the races, rotate 90 and put them back on. I just changed them out since new ones are not a big $.
All of your rear pivots & bearings should be regreased for sure.

 

A 10 year old bike with unknown maintenance, replace all the bearings.

 

+1 for Bel-Ray waterproof grease. I'm big on Bel-Ray lubricants. Maybe cuz thats all we used at the dearships, and was one of my bigger sponsors back in the day when I was racing. Not saying you need to use BR grease, just a good waterproof grease. I 100% agree with s10gto. Remove swingarm while your already there, do it all and do it right. Remove old dirty grease by repacking with new. Spending a little extra time now, will save you time, money and greef down the road. I'm doing mine as soon as the snow melts. 4" on the ground from last week, expecting 18"+ with today's blizzard. So in a few weeks.....LOL

 

What size is this nut on the top of the stem? Largest socket I have is 27mm and it's too small. Can't fit a crescent wrench in there either.

 

[QUOTE=CraigT;534802]What size is this nut on the top of the stem? Largest socket I have is 27mm and it's too small. Can't fit a crescent wrench in there either.

It's a 30 mm

 

Thank you. Just ordered a 30mm socket.

 

Am I going to have to buy the special Kawasaki steering stem nut wrench? I'm hoping there's a cheap solution to getting this locknut off.

 

Screwdriver & hammer works for me.