Headraces done !

Managed to do the headrace bearings with fresh ones and build the front end on the weekend. Quite pleased with the progress as it's the first time I had done this on any bike.

Here's a picture of the old race still in the frame. It's been half painted over as I new I was to replace them and not in the best condition either.
So, heat the area around the race with a blowlamp to ease removal. About 60-120 seconds in a circular motion on the frame outside of the old race.

Find a soft aluminum rod, this is actually a redundant clutch push rod from the zxr itself, ideal.

Secure frame ideally with clearence underneeth for when the race pops out and still the push rod in and tap, tap and tap both sides - there are 2x cutouts either side behind the race for this. Race should just pop out with ease. Repeat for lower race.


Next clean out any debris or dirt from the empty race seats, make sure there's no damage to the aluminum seats themselves. Heat the area in a circular motion again like earlier.


Next place fresh new race on the seat, make sure it's all level in relation to the headstock.

Place a block of wood across the race and with a firm but careful hammer blow aiming at the centre of where the hole would be it should start seating inside of the seat. It may take 2 or 3 gental taps and be careful not to get it off canter.

Once it gets past a certain point and provided you heated the area enough before the new race should get 'sucked' in and then be firmly seated as below.

Give it a couple GENTLE taps around the seat edge with the aluminum rod to confirm firm seating and then we should be done!