I got the front end totally apart to replace the neck bearings and races and to replace the oil in the shocks. Funny thing is, I found a deer fly inside the neck near the lower bearing. Also notice that the stem shaft as some surface rust on it and so did the lower bearing. The only place that I can see where the fly and water is coming in is thru the opening at the bottom of the hollow stem shaft and came up thru the slot for the steering lock. What I did is insert a rubber plug and applied some silicone adhesive to keep it in place. That should stop any water, and bugs, from going up the shaft especially when driving in the rain.

2001 - 47,000 miles