Hi,

'Been putting some miles on my recently acquired '93 907 and as it turned over the 10k mile mark this week, I noticed a funny feeling in the steering. At first it felt a little less planted in turns, then it got more pronounced over the next 100 miles till I parked it last night. It was feeling very nervous up front like I was on snow. Even going straight the slightest ridge in the road at low speed was getting scary. I looked it over. The tire pressures are normal. The rear axle/chain is adjusted properly, measured not only with the crude markings by the axle, but by measuring the swingarm pivot to axle distance. OK, up front; with the wheel off the ground, the bars glide back and forth with no resistance and no slow spots. I also didn't hear/feel clicking when, while on the bike (off the stand) forcing the forks up and down with the front brake on. The wheel bearings don't seem to have play as I grab and pull the wheel side to side and front to back. And there's no play in the forks, side to side. Which leaves me thinking the steering head bearings are loose, so here's my simple question -- what steps do I take to adjust them correctly? What tool, torque etc.? Is it upper and lower? Or is it possibly something else causing this? Thanks!

I had something similar once and it was the front tire valve losing air but if your tire pressure is ok ...
I assume that if the bike is on its center stand with some weight in the rear so the front wheel is off the ground and you push & pull at the bottom of the fork there`s no play either?
When was the last time the fork oil was changed and is the level correct?
To adjust the steering head bearings (there`s of course one on the bottom and one on the top) loosen the three bolts of the upper triple tree (the ones that clamp on the stanchion tubes and the center one) then loosen the bolt of the ringnut and turn that to adjust the bearings. There should be no play but at the same time tension on the bearings should be minimal or they will wear quicker.
If the bike has such a low milage I`d personally consider removing the fork to check if the bearings need some grease. The fork might never had a service (in 25 years).
You find all torque settings in the workshop manual.

Thanks for the good and quick reply. Yeah, the bike was said to be dealer serviced but I wasn't given proof, besides its nice condition. I'm looking for a factory manual now, much needed with any euro ride. I'll check the bearing tightness this weekend per your help and re-post. BTW the fork wasn't leaking at all and the fork action feels normal - isolated from the steering that is - so I don't think bad fork oil or such would deteriorate the front end feel in such as short span, but if it was never serviced, that surely wouldn't help. Thanks again!

The shop manuals are available on this site.

Steering head bearings if loose would show up by putting bike on center stand, getting the front end off the ground and pushing handle bars forward and backwards looking/feeling for slack. For bearings and races with flat spots you can turn the handle bars/steering back and forth and you would feel a notchiness in the handle bars. I have replaced my head bearings and races but I have 70,000 miles on my bike. They probably could use new grease as water can get in there from washing/riding in rain.
Check your front tire for cupping/unusual wear and inflation.
Check your front wheel bearings for looseness.

du907

you find all manuals here: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1551
The 907ie workshop manual is a supplement of the 906 wsm so you'll need that, too.