Top Yoke Removal - Help

Hi all,
How difficult is it to remove the top yoke on my 04 Z1000?
I recently removed my forks & I am wanting to know how much more work is involved?
I have a workshop manual and it looks (to me) like all I have to do is remove the handlebars, risers, forks and then the 'steering stem head bolt' (allen head bolt in the centre of the yoke). Is this correct or have I missed something vital?

I have new rubber bushes for the handlebar risers that I need to fit & would also love some assistance on how I go by fitting them (nothing in workshop manual)!

Thanks in advance!

Daz.

Nothing hard there Daz, but suggest getting a tool to undo the lock rings rather than hacking at them with a screw driver.

Hi Rob,
What the hell is a lock ring?!
Are they the rings (looks like rear shock preload adjuster) under the yoke that holds the bearings?
I didn't think I had to touch them?

Hi Rob,
What the hell is a lock ring?!
Are they the rings (looks like rear shock preload adjuster) under the yoke that holds the bearings?
I didn't think I had to touch them?

True you dont.... but if you are going to the trouble of taking off the top yoke why not regrease (pack) the bearings while you are at it, you will probably find there is minimal grease there anyway

Meh!
So after I strip the front, all I need to do is remove the top allen head bolt (centre of yoke) and the yoke will pull straight off?
Thanks for the advice, mate!

Sounds to me like a job for the hammer

Haha!
Not just yet, thanks Tanya!

Does the ignition barrel just slide out?

Does the ignition barrel just slide out?

Yes it does, here is a pic of the 05 set I picked up for my front end conversion showing the hole for the barrel:

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Thanks a million, Rob!

Out of curiosity, if I put the front on my race stand is there any need to remove the front wheel & forks to simply remove the top yoke?
Just seems like work that can be avoided?

No need to remove anything below the top clamp or even use a race stand for that matter when removing the top clamp by itself.
Tip; You'll need a mallet or soft hammer to tap the clamp up & off.

No need to remove anything below the top clamp or even use a race stand for that matter when removing the top clamp by itself.

The weight of the bike is ok by only being supported by the bottom yoke?

No need to remove anything below the top clamp or even use a race stand for that matter when removing the top clamp by itself.

The weight of the bike is ok by only being supported by the bottom yoke?

Thats correct, there will be movement from the steering stem, but the weight on the bottom bearings will hold everything in place...... I would still do the bearings but & that requires total removal

Agreed re steering heads brgs..

out of the box there is SFA grease on them (fine if you won't keep it long)

Well worth giving the bearings a good coating of ie Castrol APXT water resistant grease and smear a bit around the main pin to prevent corrosion.

(when you get a siezed one you will see why!!)