Rear Shock Absorber Adjustment; Steering Head Adjustment; Wheel Bearings - Yamaha XZ550RJ 1982 Service Manual

Rear shock absorber adjustment.

The spring preload of the rear shock absorber can
be adjusted to suit rider's preference, weight, and
road conditions.
1. Open the seat.
2. To increase preload, raise the spring seat.
To decrease preload, lower the spring seat.
1. Stiffer 2. Softer
3. Replace the seat in the original position.

Steering head adjustment

The steering assembly
periodically for looseness.
1. Raise the front end of the motorcycle so that
there is no weight on the front wheel.
2. Grasp the bottom of the forks and gently
rock the fork assembly backward and for-
ward, checking for looseness in the steering
assembly bearings.
3. Special nut wrench
should be checked
3. If the steering head is loose, adjust it.
Loosen the front fork pinch bolts and steer-
ing stem bolt.
1. Steering stem bolt
4. Use a steering nut wrench to loosen the top
steering ring nut. The top nut serves as a
locknut.
5. Tighten the lower steering ring nut until the
steering head is tight but does not bind when
the forks are turned.
1. Steering ring nut
6. Retighten the top steering ring nut, steering
stem bolt, and the front fork pinch bolts in
that order.
7. Recheck steering adjustment to make sure
there is no binding when the forks are
moved from lock to lock. If necessary, repeat
the adjustment procedure.

Wheel bearings

If a rolling rumble is noticed and increases with in-
creasing wheel speed (not engine or transmission
speed), the wheel bearings may be worn. Check the
wheel bearings for both the front and rear wheels.
2. Pinch bolt
2. Steering nut wrench
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