Just curious, I went on a ride with some others this last weekend and one of the other Sportster riders and I traded bikes for several miles. He noticed that his older 97 had a lot more foreplay in turning/corning the bike as mine (07). He also noticed that his bike had a grease zerk and mine did not and yet one of the other guys has a 07 soft tail and his even had the grease zerk.

I looked it up in my maintenance manual and sure enough it has a sealed bearing that can be taken out and re-lubed or every 30k.

Has anyone else noticed their bikes front fork turning harder then usual?

The bike has been in the Harley shop for several upgrades that would require a test ride including the 1000 mile maintenance and no one has said anything about it.

Being able to turn the bike at easier at slower speeds seems like a good attribute, what do you all think?

That's interesting. A steering bearing is something you don't think about too often. out of sight, out of mind. I would get your bearings inspected and/or replaced ASAP just so you dont have to worry about problems down the road. in this case it's "fix it before it's broke"

The forks should not have any "slop" in them, but they should turn easily and fluidlyfor sure. Not being able to feel the resistance you're encountering, only you can tell if the situation presents an issue that can and should be improved.

To properly adjust the fork bearings the "fall away" must be checked. The procedure should be covered in your manual(or do a search on this forum, or google it). I'm not sure of the process with the sealed bearing, but the bikes with zerk fittings would not be a sealed type. Good Luck!

ORIGINAL: DeJavu

To properly adjust the fork bearings the "fall away" must be checked. The procedure should be covered in your manual(or do a search on this forum, or google it). I'm not sure of the process with the sealed bearing, but the bikes with zerk fittings would not be a sealed type. Good Luck!


+1 The fork stem bolt may just be a bit to tight and that's adjusted using the "fall away" procedure. The fact that you dont have a zerk fitting does not mean you have sealed (timken) bearings. Sealed bearings can't be greased and since your book calls for them to be greased at 30K miles they can't be sealed.

Might also be a difference in tire size, or under inflated front tire....?? Agreed with the other stuff about the bearing and fall away.

and some of these guys ride bikes.
makes me wonder is it safe out on the road today?

Thanks guys for the input here, I will check into that. Agreed the bearing is not a sealed one (my poor choice of words).

And Rathog, thanks for your support "smart ass".

no problem,your welcome there sir