maintenance question
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Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 53
Likes: 16
From: New Berlin, Wisconsin USA
maintenance question
I have had lots of bikes, but this is my first Harley. On my '97 Heritage Softail, the manual says to repack the steering head bearings every 10,000 miles. I want to maintain it right and if that is what it needs I have no problem with it, but it seems like overkill. Your thoughts?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 439
Likes: 256
From: Pa
99% never will,that being said It really comes down to how it's handling for me. Some harley-davidson bikes have a problem w the death wobble which I've found in my own bikes but it was always poor set up by the previous owner. I'd chk for zerk fittings n give em a shot of grease but others will tell you absolutely yes to do it. It's all personal preference.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
99% never will,that being said It really comes down to how it's handling for me. Some harley-davidson bikes have a problem w the death wobble which I've found in my own bikes but it was always poor set up by the previous owner. I'd chk for zerk fittings n give em a shot of grease but others will tell you absolutely yes to do it. It's all personal preference.
As you said just shoot a bit of grease in the zerk fitting once a year and you will be fine,
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,143
Likes: 12,708
From: South Carolina
You don`t need to remove the lower bearing to repack it.
I repacked the bearings on my old Softail at about 80K, the bearings were ok.
I finally replaced them this past summer at 140K.
I repacked the bearings on my old Softail at about 80K, the bearings were ok.
I finally replaced them this past summer at 140K.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 280
From: Russellville, Arkansas
I completely agree here.....these bearings go along time.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Cental, MI
Warning; If you do Not know how to "measure" fall-away, get someone who Has done it [not "read it on the internet"] as this influences Handling in a Profound way...
If ya ain't sure [positive] about doing this absolutely Correctly...Just ride the Damn thing!!! That Bearing is designed for like Big Truck Wheels... and it never...ever makes a single rotation... it will go hundreds of thousands of Miles... seen it Many Times...
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
I have No idea why one would want to fill the neck area with grease?? No... just remove and re-pack...nothing to it really, tho, as stated, the bottom bearing is Not packed in the usual way.
Warning; If you do Not know how to "measure" fall-away, get someone who Has done it [not "read it on the internet"] as this influences Handling in a Profound way...
If ya ain't sure [positive] about doing this absolutely Correctly...Just ride the Damn thing!!! That Bearing is designed for like Big Truck Wheels... and it never...ever makes a single rotation... it will go hundreds of thousands of Miles... seen it Many Times...
Warning; If you do Not know how to "measure" fall-away, get someone who Has done it [not "read it on the internet"] as this influences Handling in a Profound way...
If ya ain't sure [positive] about doing this absolutely Correctly...Just ride the Damn thing!!! That Bearing is designed for like Big Truck Wheels... and it never...ever makes a single rotation... it will go hundreds of thousands of Miles... seen it Many Times...
The only way to fix that and have smooth turning handle bars again is to replace the bearing.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 952
Likes: 528
From: Richmond TX
Springers are/were notoriously bad for eating their steering bearings. You can expect a life of about 10-15k miles. I pushed mine to 24k but shouldn't have. The failure mode is false brinneling, due to vibrations. The bearing races get very slightly indented by the rollers to the point that handling is affected. On mine this included the steering wanting to 'stick' while braking. The best preventive steps are to only use an extremely light grease, and stay on top of the fall-away adjustment. At some point you've got to change the bearings. The races will look just fine to the naked eye, so you've got to avoid the temptation to just leave the races in the frame and do a 1/2 job.
My latest Springer is waiting patiently for me to change the steering bearings. It's developed a minor wobble around 40 mph. At 20k miles it's time for fresh bearings and the very fussy fall-away procedure.
At some point (in the 90's I think) HD began installing grease fittings on the steering necks of all models. I doubt if a neck full of grease will hurt the fall-away procedure, and it's probably better for the bike than steering bearings with the grease washed out. However, I'm agreeing with you guys that it's not a big worry on normal forks at all. I think I greased my front end once in 60k miles on my Road King and never saw any problems whatsoever.
My latest Springer is waiting patiently for me to change the steering bearings. It's developed a minor wobble around 40 mph. At 20k miles it's time for fresh bearings and the very fussy fall-away procedure.
At some point (in the 90's I think) HD began installing grease fittings on the steering necks of all models. I doubt if a neck full of grease will hurt the fall-away procedure, and it's probably better for the bike than steering bearings with the grease washed out. However, I'm agreeing with you guys that it's not a big worry on normal forks at all. I think I greased my front end once in 60k miles on my Road King and never saw any problems whatsoever.