30k maintenance questions
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: So. Cal
30k maintenance questions
Hello all,
I will be performing 30k maintenance on my 04 SuperGlide FXDI, the rear fork bearing replacement and steering head bearing diss-assembly are two items I am not familiar with, I have the service manual and I was an industrial electrician/mechanic in the early years of my career and have tools and some mechanical experience. How difficult are these tasks? What type of lift is best to address both of these issues and for performing normal maintenance?
Questions
Rear fork bearings.
1. Is the dealer the only place to purchase the bearings or can I order online if so where, quality matters.
2. Pressing the pivot bushing, what type of press is needed and does this warrant "taking it in for service" vs. buying some sort of press.
3. Is a pre-assembled kit available, i.e. remove the existing shaft and components and install a replacement?
4. Since I have to disassemble the steering head, does it make sense just to replace the steering head bearing vs. cleaning, inspecting and replacing?
5. I am still trying to wrap my head around adjusting the steering head using the method noted in the service manual.
I will be performing 30k maintenance on my 04 SuperGlide FXDI, the rear fork bearing replacement and steering head bearing diss-assembly are two items I am not familiar with, I have the service manual and I was an industrial electrician/mechanic in the early years of my career and have tools and some mechanical experience. How difficult are these tasks? What type of lift is best to address both of these issues and for performing normal maintenance?
Questions
Rear fork bearings.
1. Is the dealer the only place to purchase the bearings or can I order online if so where, quality matters.
2. Pressing the pivot bushing, what type of press is needed and does this warrant "taking it in for service" vs. buying some sort of press.
3. Is a pre-assembled kit available, i.e. remove the existing shaft and components and install a replacement?
4. Since I have to disassemble the steering head, does it make sense just to replace the steering head bearing vs. cleaning, inspecting and replacing?
5. I am still trying to wrap my head around adjusting the steering head using the method noted in the service manual.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 738
Likes: 1
From: Pa.
If it needs to be repacked or replaced you will have to remove the front end.(the tubes from the trees)Be sure you have the bike tied down you will have a big weight shift.If it works now I would leave it alone.That grease in there lasts a looong time.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 212
As far as the swingarm goes, unless the bushing/bearing is cracked, broken, or pitted, you should not need to replace the whole thing. Usually they just need cleaned and repacked with grease and you're good for another 20k+ miles.
The steering head bearing is the same way. Both this and the swingarm are slow speed bearings, so they don't wear out so much. If you must, clean it and repack it, but I usually just use the zerk fitting because it rarely needs more grease than that.
The fallaway is pretty simple by the manual, just do what it says. I don't do the procedure on my bikes, but I just jack it up, and tighten the bolt down, turn it and jiggle it to see if it is too tight or too loose, and then when I get it how I like it, I tighten it up and call it a day.
The important thing on the steering bearing is to get some preload, but not overtighten it so the bars bind when you turn. It doesn't take a genius to figure out if it is too tight.
The steering head bearing is the same way. Both this and the swingarm are slow speed bearings, so they don't wear out so much. If you must, clean it and repack it, but I usually just use the zerk fitting because it rarely needs more grease than that.
The fallaway is pretty simple by the manual, just do what it says. I don't do the procedure on my bikes, but I just jack it up, and tighten the bolt down, turn it and jiggle it to see if it is too tight or too loose, and then when I get it how I like it, I tighten it up and call it a day.
The important thing on the steering bearing is to get some preload, but not overtighten it so the bars bind when you turn. It doesn't take a genius to figure out if it is too tight.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,184
Likes: 4,114
From: Michigan
Not meaning to hijack thread, but Scuba what are you using to tighten steering
bearing nut. I have a 09 Low Rider, dealer has tweaked it for me twice, seems to need it every 10,000 or so miles now it's up to me.
bearing nut. I have a 09 Low Rider, dealer has tweaked it for me twice, seems to need it every 10,000 or so miles now it's up to me.
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