Zerk fitting in the steering neck question
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 365
Likes: 1
From: under a rock in the swamp
Zerk fitting in the steering neck question
Would any of you brains out there think there be any benefit to adding a zerk fitting to the steering neck on a dyna like the ones you see on the touring model's? I can not see where it harm nothing and should make greasing the bearings better. just fill'er up till fresh grease shows yes / no ???
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Meridian, Idaho
Sounds good except you may be pumping alot of grease till it shows! If one of the frame tubes that intersects with the steering neck has an open end then your grease may show from one or more of the bleed holes in the bottom of the frame! That's bad mojo!
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 979
Likes: 351
From: Wisconsin
I can tell you that is the case on my 07, two slots towards the bottom of the neck that go to the wiring/ignition switch area.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,135
Likes: 4,780
From: Sandpoint, Idaho
I've never understood so many concerns about a neck bearing. People have a car with wheel bearings that are greased at the factory and spin very fast for 100,000 miles or more without a problem but worry about neck bearings that barely move.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 477
Likes: 8
From: Kennedale,Tx
My 01 sporty has the zerk, manual said pump the sucker up till full and oozing out top and bottom, BAD idea, had to buy the wife new jeans.
Just tore steering head apart on my Dyna(50 K service) JUst did this at 30K and the bearings looked good as well as the grease when I performed this servise 2 years ago.
I don't understand why some models have zerks and some don't, Zerk models say fill steering head up, no zerk models say just pack the bearings.
Just tore steering head apart on my Dyna(50 K service) JUst did this at 30K and the bearings looked good as well as the grease when I performed this servise 2 years ago.
I don't understand why some models have zerks and some don't, Zerk models say fill steering head up, no zerk models say just pack the bearings.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,197
From: Oxford, Nc
Zerks only worked on the bottom bearing on my '00 RG. After the wreck I took the front end apart and the bottom bearing was goopy with grease while the top was pretty dry. Pumping grease only blows it out the bottom on my set up. I'll take the front end apart every year or two from now on.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
Yes and no. I did it but found out that unlike the touring frames where the bearings are in a sealed from the frame tubes chamber the other families of HD bikes steering heads are open into the frame tubes.
So I keep pumping and pumping until I realized that I would have to fill the entire frame up.
But, I do plan at some point to take the fork tubes and triple trees off to plug the holes into the frame tubes. Then I can pressure force grease through the bearings like I do on the touring models.
I have had 6 touring bikes and had grease go out both top and bottom bearing sets with no problem at all.
So I keep pumping and pumping until I realized that I would have to fill the entire frame up.
But, I do plan at some point to take the fork tubes and triple trees off to plug the holes into the frame tubes. Then I can pressure force grease through the bearings like I do on the touring models.
I have had 6 touring bikes and had grease go out both top and bottom bearing sets with no problem at all.
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 848
Likes: 30
From: CO
Exactly. The neck bearing should never need replacing or greasing unless it starts leaking.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
The steering neck is not as sealed as the car wheel bearings are. And current standards are different from not too many years ago when it was routine to pack the wheel bearings at specific intervals.
Also, you may find that many headset bearings are dry or almost dry. I few cheap ounces of grease could save $$$ because even the dry bearings will last longer than the warranty.
Also, you may find that many headset bearings are dry or almost dry. I few cheap ounces of grease could save $$$ because even the dry bearings will last longer than the warranty.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post