Motorcycle Repair: CB400F steering bearings, honda cb400f, torque specs

Question
QUESTION: Goodmorning Rich, I have a 1976 Honda CB400F that I changed the old steering bearings with a tapered bearing kit. Since then I have a clunking sound coming from my front end when I go over a bump when the suspension extents. If I tighten down on the bearing everything is fine but the steering is very tight to the point that I can't ride the bike. The kit didn't have instructions on how to torque the bearings and steering stem. If I go by the Hayne's manual the bearings are too tight. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, Evangelos.

ANSWER: Evangelos, you need to tighten the bearings up just enough to take the play out of the bearings and no more.

Regards
Rich

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Rich, that is exectly what I do but, when I torque down the top steering stem nut on the fork top bridge to the specs given in the shop manual the steering is too tight to ride the bike. Do I forget about the torque specs and tighten the nut by hand?
Thank you, Evangelos.

Answer
The bearings will tighten up when you tighten up the nut on the top of the stearing stem.  You will have to leave them slightly loose and when you tighten up the lock nut, it will reduce some of the clearance.  It will take some trial and error to get it right.

Regards
Rich