Anyone have issues with the steering head bearings not holding an adjustment? I notice my Sterring is looserr and not that ferm fell it did have..

 

I know that HD has a problem with the steering stem (fall-away) not being tightened properly from the factory.

So much so, when I explained to my parts guy what I was feeling on my brand new SB, its the first suggestion he had.

Sure enough, took it in to have it checked and BAM, fixed.

Saved me the $ I was gonna spend on a steering damper.

Your question leads me to believe yours has been adjusted and keeps coming loose.

Is that the case?

 

Yes I adjusted it about 3000 miles ago. After replacing tires the front was out of balance and the Sterring became loose as result. The tire is balanced now and no issues until today. I just don't have that Ferm fell that it like. It's on the jack right now and the fall away seems to be close enough and no unusual looseness felt in the bearings. I don't want to over tighten it to get that fell back. I'm thinking of a dampener too. The bike is still under warranty but I'm heading to sturgis early in the morning, if I fell like its getting worse I'll have to get it check on the road.

 

To be clear, I'm no expert on HD's.

All I can think of is maybe the bearings or bearing races are going to sh*t.

Its strange to think the stem is loosening all on its own.

Hopefully someone will chime in that knows better than I.

Good luck on your trip to Sturgis (priorities man).

You've got quite the trek in your immediate future.

Hope its safe and uneventful... at least until the beer starts flowing.

 

Thanks bullast, priorities is right..I know..I don't think it's unsafe, more just me. It sucks to get to that top clamp, I'm going to go with it.

 

I would too.

Im not hatin.

 

If the front end feels smooth when you turn it left and right while up on the jack, the bearings are ok, when they start to go bad you will feel a slight hesitation in the swing, kind of a notchy type feel (if that makes any sense).

 

Guess I should have mentioned that it's totally smooth, nothing like a bad bearing. And no slack when I try to shack the forks fwd and aft. I started the thread before putting her on the jack, just freaking out about the trip. Thanks guys

 

Mine seems the same way, looser, seems i can feel the little stones, and cracks in the road, more of an effect on slow turns, Had fall away checked at dealer, told in spec

 

I'm having an issue with mine too. Unfortunately I'm having a bigger issue having Harley take care of it
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/new-r...ead-shake.html