I have started putting my bike back together after installing the forks, fork ears and reflector and other parts I noticed the fork ears are loose maybe a 1/16 of an inch. I have checked with partzilla to make sure I had not left anything out and I have not. I had put new races and ball bearings in the steering head. I can move the reflector on the lefts side with no problem, the right has a little tension but can move it also. Should I take the steering head back apart and start over?

I think some of the parts diagrams are wrong on the races... so if you went by that and didn't/couldn't match up parts the way the came off, it could be an issue.

Also, did you use 1/4" balls on the bottom and 3/16" on the top.. also the ball count... you can sometimes add one more and it looks like it will fit but it's not right.

Before you do anything... and as you do things... it would be in your best interest to post pictures. nobody can see what you're seeing. It might be a simple fix.

I vaguely remember there are rubber spacers that fit into the chrome fork ear pieces that would take up any free play and offer a little damping. If remember correctly, they are like o-rings but square rubber material.

I will start trying to post some pictures. Mark I will need to check but I did go by partzilla on the ball count, size and races. Kenny I did have the spacers. I am going to take the steering head back apart. Thanks

Parts list has the upper races reversed if you went by the part numbers.

On my Yamaha RD125 project, the previous owner had had the frame plastic coated - quite thickly! Not only were the earthing points not masked off, nor were the areas where any tight fitting parts locate.

I had the same problem as you with loose reflectors and so I took both sets of bearings out and rubbed down all internal and external faces that might affect how and where the races sat. All now seems ok.

Also, make sure that the upper lower race (ie the one that locates in the underside of the headstock) is both sitting straight and flush - this can be a real bugger to get right!

15 is a flat sided rubber washer that keep things under a little tension but if that's in place then i'm out of ideas at the mo.
www.babbittsonline.com/oemparts/a/yam/50...9bc7849dc/front-fork

RT 325 I do have the rubber washer in place. I have not been able to work on it today and will not get to tomorrow but plan to take the steering apart and hopefully can find what I did wrong. Thanks again for the advice.

Yes i've had a few problems over the years with the bearing cups not going right home in the bottom. Top one's pretty easy & shallow but bottom goes a fair way & can pick up metal if not driven square in as best you can. Bottom cone on the stem should fit home without problems though. & as i think Mark said, they run 3/16 top & 1/4 bottom--by memory 19 bottom & 22 top.

I took the steering head back apart and made sure the races were in place. I put everything back and tighten the steering head bolt about as tight as I could get it then loosen it about a 1/4 turn after that everything is fitting like it should. I think the problem was I did not tighten the head bolt tight enough. Thanks for all the help.