1973 fxe neck bearing ?

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Jul 10, 2007 | 07:50 PM

voodoodrug

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From: lancaster, pa

1973 fxe neck bearing ?

my neighbor asked me how to lube his fxe(wide glide?super glide?). said he had a manuel(haines junk) no help. could not find the grease fiting(zerk) on neck. did some searches and no hits. He says its tightening up. any suggestions?

Jul 10, 2007 | 07:53 PM

wbogley

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RE: 1973 fxe neck bearing ?

I can check my manul, but I only have one for 78-83. I have never heard of a fitting. I though you had to remove the front end.

Jul 10, 2007 | 07:53 PM

Trotter

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RE: 1973 fxe neck bearing ?

I had a 1976 Shovel 1200 super glide... FXE ..Remove the front end

Jul 10, 2007 | 08:36 PM

voodoodrug

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From: lancaster, pa

RE: 1973 fxe neck bearing ?

thanks for your quick repleys. thatswas my guess. Told him an hd sm is worth the few pennies more. His bikehas 32k on it and is in excelent condition. except theONE time he brought it to the dealer they totally forgot to bolt the starter back in[:@]and put anice dingon his custom paint job[:@](for elect. problem). has had to replace top engine mount bolts and a few other things have rattled off,drop of oil here and thereand thats all in 34 years! btw has never lubed the neck bearings

thanks again

Jul 10, 2007 | 08:41 PM

silverbullet2005

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RE: 1973 fxe neck bearing ?

I built a 1973 IronHead Sporty and it originally had the old ball type bearings that you had to grease the crap out of before installation due to not having any grease zerk. during the ground up rebuild I did on the bike I installed the new caged bearing/cup convertion kit from JP cycles which you have to pack the bearing like on a vehicle or trailer bearing. you'll still have to remove the front end to repack the bearings down the road but you won't have to regrease them as often. hope this helps.

Jul 10, 2007 | 09:10 PM

Hey Zeus

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From: Cleveland, OH - Longing for Savannah, GA

RE: 1973 fxe neck bearing ?

silvebullet2005 is correct. I built a 74 Ironhead basket with a late 60's drum brake front end. I have the sealed bearings in it instead of the individual ***** (no comments) and yet if and when it will need lubed, the front end must come off......the price we pay for older toys I guess.
You know, I always wondered if it would be advantagiousto drill and tap a grease fitting into the neck on that bike? Any suggestions out there?
Good luck.....