Feeling a little slop in steering? Need help plz

[Snowman35]

I'm feeling some play when I turn my handlebars. No a great deal just an inch or two I don't think it's normal though. I just installed my ohlite bushing kit from Ulmer about 1000 miles ago so I do not suspect that to be problem. I am suspecting the steering column area I think what is there that can be a problem which usually goes on my 2007 Apex with over 3000 miles on it?

 

[andrew1984]

OFT steering bushings and/or time to replace rod end linkages

 

[actionjack]

Ball ends. No doubt OFTs bushings are better but most of the slop is the ball ends.

 

[TBay Sledhead]

I suspect the steering bushings, If you want to save the rod ends spray them with lubricant every couple hundred mi. I've got 12,000 mi on mine and they have very little play.

 

[KnappAttack]

I tighten all my Apex sleds up. Pull the seat, tank and get at the bushings. I take the steel bushing spacers and remove .015" off them. Then I take the plastic bushing and set them on a flat surface and use emery cloth on a flat surface to remove .0075" per bushing, two plastic bushings together add up to the .015" that you have taken off the steel bushing, and you now have tight steering. It makes them much nicer to ride. Don't take off anymore than that or the bars get hard to turn with stiction.

 

[APEX 06]

OFT steering bushings and/or time to replace rod end linkages

X2 time for new ones.