Joe Type Mini steering slop

[2SlickNick]

Hey Fellas and Gals,

I have a mini I am working on that has been ID'd as a Joe type...

When I was taking off the forks/handlebars and I was surprised when I didn't see any bearings in the neck tube.

Is this normal? The neck tube has a 9/16" ID. And the bottom handle bar cross bracket has some play from the bolt moving over time.

I guess I will get the brass flanged bushings with 9/16" OD - 7/16" ID and get a 7/16" bolt. Do you think that will help?

 

[2SlickNick]

Do the older minis have bearings in the neck?

 

[jeep2003]

I would try a new bolt and tack weld the nut to the bottom bracket to eliminate the slop there. alot of the cheaper bikes had no bearings

 

[2SlickNick]

Thanks Jeep...
I did by the bronze bearings and will try that 1st.

If that doesn't work, then tack welding the nut sounds like a sure fix.

 

[chipper]

A number of minis did not use the bronze bushings , Ruttman being one of them !

 

[2SlickNick]

Really... Just sounds like a recipe for future failure.