Thanks for the advice. New tires are on order. Bearings are out of the rear but I'm having trouble removing the front drum. I read it should come out after removing large circlip but no go.
I was not sure about removing the steering column without special tools. Is there a way to check it without removal?
For removing the drum, it just needs the nut 42-5842 on the drawing below to undo. If still stuck, maybe the shoes have bonded to the drum from standing? If so, it’s a question of patient perseverance to get it out.
The play in the steering column can be tested by lifting the front wheel off the ground and moving the handlebars to the left and right to feel for “notchyness”. Grabbing the forks and pulling and pushing them should show if there’s play in the bearings. There should be none.
For dismantling the steering column, the forks need to be removed. Big chance the bearings are still the original setup with loose rollers. While the steering column is apart it’s a wise move to change the rollers for conical bearings. They are readily available from most parts dealers.
Taking out the forks ain’t complicated, unscrew the top nuts but leave them in for a couple of turns , and loosen the clamp bolts on the bottom clamp. A sharp tap on the top nut will free the fork stanchion from the taper hole in the top clamp.
For dismantling the forks you just need a tool for unscrewing the fork seal holders (the chrome parts of the forks). It can be done with a strap wrench on the outside, but the tool makes the job easier. While you’re at it, check the fork bushes in the sliders. They are held by a circlip which need to be prised out ( can be a real PITA! )
Another tool will be needed to pull the forks in the clamps again. I made one myself that screws in the top of the stanchions and has a threaded hole for a long bolt to pull up the stanchions but some people have succeeded by jamming a broomstick in the stanchions to pull them up.