Steering head grease - those who do their own servicing
#11
I finally can wash the bike without finding grease in that area.
I won't put another grease gun near it for a long time. LOL
#12
The bottom tripple tree has pockets casted in the surface,at least on the '06 and prior .This is where all the excess grease will collect.
If cleaned out periodically,there should be no drip.
#13
I was wiping mine off my fuel tank for the entire first season of my bike, just from being over greased at the Dealership when new. They located this bike and had it transfered from a different dealership, so I suspect that it had been done twice.
I finally can wash the bike without finding grease in that area.
I won't put another grease gun near it for a long time. LOL
I finally can wash the bike without finding grease in that area.
I won't put another grease gun near it for a long time. LOL
#14
I'm in the "whatever's handy" catagory, but I plan to pick up some royal purple NLGI #2 when I find it. I've been told that and Blue Marine grease are both "non-drippy" even in hot weather. (Probably others also.)
I definitely recommend changing the zerk to a 45 or maybe even a 90 degree. I used a 45 but it looks like a 90 would work considering where the zerk is mounted.
I definitely recommend changing the zerk to a 45 or maybe even a 90 degree. I used a 45 but it looks like a 90 would work considering where the zerk is mounted.
#18
I use "green grease" on the recommendation of you forum guys...I have not had it in heat, but it is NOT supposed to melt.
I also bought the 90 degree adapter for the grease gun and left the factory zerk fitting. Easy to use and only $5.95.
Be prepared to use a lot of grease...It was apparent that they did not put any in at the 1000 mile service.
I also bought the 90 degree adapter for the grease gun and left the factory zerk fitting. Easy to use and only $5.95.
Be prepared to use a lot of grease...It was apparent that they did not put any in at the 1000 mile service.
#19
I don't think it matters much, although I used Royal Purple NLGI #2 synthetic grease on my old RK and never had a problem with the steering head, or much of anything else, in >100k miles. I continue to use it on my SG and have noticed that this grease does not ooze and drip on the fork like the stock grease does. Also, a friend who services cranes uses RP grease and claims much longer service life on crane parts lubed with grease, which are obviously under more strain that our steering heads. It's probably overkill for our purposes but at only $10/tube and readily available here I see no reason to change at this point.
Last edited by iclick; 11-08-2009 at 12:26 PM.