Greasing steering head bearings?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,432
Likes: 290
From: FL
Really not that difficult?
After reading this thread I pulled out the service manual and it involves removing the outer and inner fairing, pulling the whole upper triple tree/handle bar assembly, then your finally down to disassembling the steering stem/bearing assembly. Shouldn't take more than 15 to 20 minutes right?
What I'm talking about is just removing the outer fairing and adjusting the bearing preload using a 1/4" X 6" extension, and measuring the swing back of the forks. Literally 15 to 20 minutes.
After reading this thread I pulled out the service manual and it involves removing the outer and inner fairing, pulling the whole upper triple tree/handle bar assembly, then your finally down to disassembling the steering stem/bearing assembly. Shouldn't take more than 15 to 20 minutes right?
What I'm talking about is just removing the outer fairing and adjusting the bearing preload using a 1/4" X 6" extension, and measuring the swing back of the forks. Literally 15 to 20 minutes.
Two choices here, learn to do the work yourself or pay a certified technician to do it for you. If you follow the recommended services, all OEM bikes have similiar service intervals. For easier access, there's always a sportster ... or a rebel
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 92
From: Michigan
I personally don't/wont even worry about it. It's not like its a spinning wheel.
My 08 had a zerk and all it ever did was puke grease out of the bottom and not a drop out of the top. The head would have to get excessive slop before I did a thing to it, never happened yet to any bike I have owned.
My 08 had a zerk and all it ever did was puke grease out of the bottom and not a drop out of the top. The head would have to get excessive slop before I did a thing to it, never happened yet to any bike I have owned.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,921
Likes: 199
From: Skunk Hollow, TX
This ! Why reuse the old bearing assembly ?
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 375
Likes: 8
From: Arizona
Cause you would have to drive out the outer races out of your steering head and then press in the new ones. Seems like a lot of work if the bearings you have are good.
Has anyone ever had a catastrophic bearing failure in the steering head? I would have to think NOT!
Has anyone ever had a catastrophic bearing failure in the steering head? I would have to think NOT!
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 255
Likes: 23
From: Apex, NC
It is not hard to drive the races out and put the new ones in. On my Goldwing I rebuilt the front forks and installed new head bearings in 4 hours.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 375
Likes: 8
From: Arizona
Not a catastrophic failure but I rode a co-workers mc one day and it had a detent straight ahead. You almost had to bump the handle bars to get it into a turn.
It is not hard to drive the races out and put the new ones in. On my Goldwing I rebuilt the front forks and installed new head bearings in 4 hours.
It is not hard to drive the races out and put the new ones in. On my Goldwing I rebuilt the front forks and installed new head bearings in 4 hours.
I think everyone is missing my point. I know it's not hard to do... I'm an aviation mechanic (engines) for over 30+ years. None of this is rocket science, I just don't think it's necessary to tear down the complete front end of the bike every 2 or 3 years to lube and inspect a bearing that you can feel if there are any issues by jacking up the bike and feeling and listening to it by swinging the handlebars back and forth. Checking and measuring the swingback and adjusting the preload if needed.
For those of you that feel you are doing you and your bike a big favor by replacing these bearings "just because your there" great. That's your choice. But I know what I'm gonna do....
Last edited by jstrenn; Feb 24, 2015 at 08:44 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 830
Likes: 34
From: Missouri
If my steering felt like your co-workers, that's when I would have cause for concern. I would tear it all apart and replace bearings.
I think everyone is missing my point. I know it's not hard to do... I'm an aviation mechanic (engines) for over 30+ years. None of this is rocket science, I just don't think it's necessary to tear down the complete front end of the bike every 2 or 3 years to lube and inspect a bearing that you can feel if there are any issues by jacking up the bike and feeling and listening to it by swinging the handlebars back and forth. Checking and measuring the swingback and adjusting the preload if needed.
For those of you that feel you are doing you and your bike a big favor by replacing these bearings "just because your there" great. That's your choice. But I know what I'm gonna do....
I think everyone is missing my point. I know it's not hard to do... I'm an aviation mechanic (engines) for over 30+ years. None of this is rocket science, I just don't think it's necessary to tear down the complete front end of the bike every 2 or 3 years to lube and inspect a bearing that you can feel if there are any issues by jacking up the bike and feeling and listening to it by swinging the handlebars back and forth. Checking and measuring the swingback and adjusting the preload if needed.
For those of you that feel you are doing you and your bike a big favor by replacing these bearings "just because your there" great. That's your choice. But I know what I'm gonna do....
Different animal.
Your bike your rules. I'm good with that.
But then again, there's a reason I won't buy a used bike as my primary ride...
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None of this is rocket science, I just don't think it's necessary to tear down the complete front end of the bike every 2 or 3 years to lube and inspect a bearing that you can feel if there are any issues by jacking up the bike and feeling and listening to it by swinging the handlebars back and forth.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 830
Likes: 34
From: Missouri
And I agree with you, I always buy new also, for the same reason.