Is it common or necessary to tear into this?  I’m talking the housing triple tree.  I know my forks have had it, I will be getting new tubes toward the end of this redo. Handlebars and controls off for cleanup and to see what I need.



 

A pretty straightforward job to remove the triple tree and check the state of the races.

Unless the races show sign of wear, I would just replace the ball bearings (buy from a cycle shop, not Yamaha) and re-pack with grease.

If you do need new races, then these are still available from Yamaha.

My ideas from years of lumpy steering.
As you have it sitting there, lift it onto a box then slightly overtighten the race adjuster thingy then swing it left-right very slowly to feel.
You'll know immediately if there's dimples in the races--mainly lower race which carries the weight. I'll place money on that it feels a bit lumpy as the races get dimpled.
So it is always good to replace the complete set. Lower cup can be slightly difficult to get in square on & right home.
When you've replaced them & fitted the top tripple then locked down the top nut 'semi tight' at first, just feel by swinging left right because it always tightens how it feels more than how it feels initialy--just because it's trying to squash it all down on the threads i guess.
So might need to back off the ring nut one knotch & try again dependin how you set it before fitting top tripple.
Need forks in to align tripples though when tightening that top nut.
Hope that makes sense, albeit a little confusing.

Just realised it's a GT80 so not a lot of weight for the lower bearing to carry.

Thanks! It’s just something I haven’t done yet!!