The only way to grease the steering head bearings is to disassemble.

The steering head is not configured to use a grease fitting, you would fill up the frame tubes with grease.

 

There is a grease zerk on the left side of my frame located on the neck stem, I thought that was for lubing the bearings? Not sure if it is OEM as the bike is second hand, but I'm almost positive that the original owner didn't install it as he definitely didn't even know what a torque wrench was as almost every nut and bolt he touched on the bike was screwed in some way.

 

Your zerk is OEM , as is mine
p/n 83459-09

 

Try adjusting the bearings before rushing into replacing them.

 

The OP`s bike is a 2023.

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.

 

Thx...I pumped a few shots into it when I did my 3 hole, figured it couldn't hurt just in case. Haven't had any issues, so haven't really bothered to look into it.

 

Wonder why they wouldn't put a zerk into all of them? Maybe they want us to come in and have them inspected/replaced every so often? Good info though, good to know.

 

The OP`s bike is a 2014, but you are correct it does not show a zerk in parts breakdown

 

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

 

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.