Steering head bearing
#21
The steering head is not configured to use a grease fitting, you would fill up the frame tubes with grease.
The following 3 users liked this post by Dan89FLSTC:
#22
#23
The following users liked this post:
strokelessone (08-30-2024)
#24
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Under the affluence of incahol.
Posts: 759
Received 923 Likes
on
417 Posts
The following users liked this post:
Peter Griffin (09-03-2024)
#25
The MoCo did away with the grease fitting on the neck of the frame several years ago.
I think because the bikes are so heavy now the MoCo wants those bearings to be visually inspected every 25K, which is a good practice.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; 08-30-2024 at 06:56 AM.
The following 3 users liked this post by Dan89FLSTC:
#26
#29
Yes, HD stopped putting grease fittings in the steering head years ago. Just like they stopped putting drain plugs in the fork sliders. And sure, you can flat rate the job if you want to take that risk on your own. Remember thet the OP stated "The shop that did my lifters 2 weeks after I got it said the steering bearings should have been done by the shop where I bought it ( that's another story ) but I never really noticed or paid to much attention to how it handled. Now 2 months later I'm noticing how hard it is to steer especially at slow speed maneuvers. I had the bike up on the jack a couple days ago to wash and detail it and noticed that the forks actually need to be pushed left or right so they are tight or worn." So it appears there is an existing problem, not just routine maintenance.
If you just pump some grease in the steering head, are you just pushing rust in the bearings? And you can't visually inspect the bearings and races for vertical grooves that are preventing smooth operating when steering? So servicing these items takes more effort now, but I suspect they made the change because these are suspension components that can have a seriously negative effect on handling and rider safety. And I suspect theOP can do the job, but for 3-4 hours in a shop with the tools and experience, that seems like a deal.
I can change my own tires, but choose not too because I can get that done for a resonable price and use my time for better things.
Paul
If you just pump some grease in the steering head, are you just pushing rust in the bearings? And you can't visually inspect the bearings and races for vertical grooves that are preventing smooth operating when steering? So servicing these items takes more effort now, but I suspect they made the change because these are suspension components that can have a seriously negative effect on handling and rider safety. And I suspect theOP can do the job, but for 3-4 hours in a shop with the tools and experience, that seems like a deal.
I can change my own tires, but choose not too because I can get that done for a resonable price and use my time for better things.
Paul
#30
It’s not hard, the manual has a good illustration of the electrical connections. No shame in supporting your local independent shop if there’s something else you’d rather do with your time. I would suggest servicing the fork tubes as well. Keep the stock guts and replace the fluid with screamin eagle heavy.