Good morning all.

I have a 1990 FLHTP that i was swapping to progressive monotube cartridges this weekend.
While I was in there i Decided to change the wheel bearings and noticed there is none of the usual shims where the inner spacer(piece that looks like a pipe) is.
The tire sits tight and spins freely. Is this something i should worry about or leave well enough alone?
I only ask because i would not second guess running it were it a jap bike but i assume harley had a reason for putting them in there,

 

Shims are only placed on one side so if you don't see them on one side they will probably be on the other.

One possibility is someone cut the inner space to an exact fit so you won't need any spacers.

If you want to make sure what you've got is good reassemble the wheel and take it to a shop and have them check endplay on the wheel.

 

Thank you sir. I am pretty handy. Any chance you have a link to the procedure anywhere?

 

If you want to do it yourself you need a vice, magnetic base and a dial indicator.
As for links all you have to do is search youtube and you will find many.

Here is one

 

Oh and if you do end up doing it yourself then I highly recommend setting the end play at 1 -2 thousandths with the bearings dry which will give you about 4 thousandths with them greased.

You don't really want more than 4 thou end play for stability on most bikes.

 

Thanks again