Well, time for the 24,000 mile checkup, plus getting ready for a big trip.
Took the forks out to be serviced by the guy who shortened them for me. Good.

Rotated the now empty headset and could feel little bumps, like it's brinnelled.....took it apart, can't see anything horrible, no dents from the bearings, but the races are not as shiny as new, I guess to be expected from a 6 year old bike, how bad does it have to be to replace the races and bearings, has anyone done it and is it as difficult as it looks in the manual? Starting with having to buy special tools to press the races in.

'04 600 F4i

Sorry I am not the best with maintenance questions. Muds and Dirtdobber are pretty good, hopefully they will weigh in. Any new trips planned?

You can get buy without the special tools. Ill try and find you a break down on the job to help you out.

This is a break down of the steering stem.

You can also down load the free manual on this forum that will help with that or get a factory Honda manual will be even better. You should be able to get by without the specialty tools, just take your time and be careful, dont be in a hurry.

I do have the manual, thanks for the info.