91 Ultra Steering Head Bearing replacement
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 737
Likes: 4
From: Scotland,UK
91 Ultra Steering Head Bearing replacement
Have noticed that my Steering Head bearings may need tightened or replaced.
Vibration when braking quickly and going over bumps or holes on the road/highway. I lifted the compete bike up on a Hoist and removed the Front fairing. Access to the large Steering Head Nut seems quite good. I wonder......if I put a Trolley (car type) Jack under the Front Wheel and loosen large Nut off whilst gradually lowering the Trolley Jack will I be able to remove complete Fork assembly fairly easily with a view to replacing BOTH Top & Bottom Bearings.? Or arethere any problems that I havent taken into account?
Any input/advice/comments much appreciated. Bungo
Vibration when braking quickly and going over bumps or holes on the road/highway. I lifted the compete bike up on a Hoist and removed the Front fairing. Access to the large Steering Head Nut seems quite good. I wonder......if I put a Trolley (car type) Jack under the Front Wheel and loosen large Nut off whilst gradually lowering the Trolley Jack will I be able to remove complete Fork assembly fairly easily with a view to replacing BOTH Top & Bottom Bearings.? Or arethere any problems that I havent taken into account?
Any input/advice/comments much appreciated. Bungo
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 535
Likes: 14
From: Highspire Pa
Let us know how you do it ...I may need to replace them on our '90 Ultra, I had the stearing head bearings tightened/adjusted by a Harley dealer about 2 summers ago which helped but the front end is clunking pretty much on some bumps, especially if I am using the front brake. I was happy with the work, the mechanic only charged me about 1/2 hour or so labor and cost me less than $100.00, but I don't remember how much for sure. It's seldom I get a dealer repair that costs less than $100.00 . It might be 15+ thousand miles since it was last done. I don't think tightening again will fix it, but thought it would be more work than I care to do.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 737
Likes: 4
From: Scotland,UK
91 evo Ultra Steering Head Bearings
Hi,Front tyre done less than 1k miles but will re-check for wear due to mis-alignment or w.h.y. Bungo
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 737
Likes: 4
From: Scotland,UK
91 evo Steering Head Bearings.
Let us know how you do it ...I may need to replace them on our '90 Ultra, I had the stearing head bearings tightened/adjusted by a Harley dealer about 2 summers ago which helped but the front end is clunking pretty much on some bumps, especially if I am using the front brake. I was happy with the work, the mechanic only charged me about 1/2 hour or so labor and cost me less than $100.00, but I don't remember how much for sure. It's seldom I get a dealer repair that costs less than $100.00 . It might be 15+ thousand miles since it was last done. I don't think tightening again will fix it, but thought it would be more work than I care to do.
I think with the old Ultras like your and mine....part of the solution to keeping the bike in good condition is to check regularly for "loose" or damaged parts. I was stopped at Traffic Signals the other day and had a quick look down to the Volt.Regulator area at the bottom front of the frame
and noticed one of the Volt.Regulator Bracket bolts was vibrating and ready to come off. Luckily I caught it just in time as it is one of the larger bolts and will probably be a nuisance to source. We often inspect our bikes when they are parked but not running. I suppose the answer is...to inspect it occasionally whilst parked,but running. Bungo
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 535
Likes: 14
From: Highspire Pa
Thanks Bill,
fixing the occasional stearing head clunking is on my list "todo" list, until that time I just keep it in mind to avoid the bigger bumps. I think it was a big bump that started it all, some road construction a couple years ago and they did not taper the new section to meet the old section, it was about a 2 inch change in the roadway, that was the first time and it really clunked as the front end bottomed out, usually they put a little asphalt down to smooth the transition but I guess the crew didn't think it was important enough. Then again it could just be the age of the bike along with 122,000 miles.
The only thing that ever came loose on ours was the shifter lever fell off, I had the bike at an indy shop and guess they did not tighten it enough. We found it and I put it back on even though it has a couple nicks, kinda to remind me to make sure things are tight.
fixing the occasional stearing head clunking is on my list "todo" list, until that time I just keep it in mind to avoid the bigger bumps. I think it was a big bump that started it all, some road construction a couple years ago and they did not taper the new section to meet the old section, it was about a 2 inch change in the roadway, that was the first time and it really clunked as the front end bottomed out, usually they put a little asphalt down to smooth the transition but I guess the crew didn't think it was important enough. Then again it could just be the age of the bike along with 122,000 miles.
The only thing that ever came loose on ours was the shifter lever fell off, I had the bike at an indy shop and guess they did not tighten it enough. We found it and I put it back on even though it has a couple nicks, kinda to remind me to make sure things are tight.
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 737
Likes: 4
From: Scotland,UK
Thanks Bill,
fixing the occasional stearing head clunking is on my list "todo" list, until that time I just keep it in mind to avoid the bigger bumps. I think it was a big bump that started it all, some road construction a couple years ago and they did not taper the new section to meet the old section, it was about a 2 inch change in the roadway, that was the first time and it really clunked as the front end bottomed out, usually they put a little asphalt down to smooth the transition but I guess the crew didn't think it was important enough. Then again it could just be the age of the bike along with 122,000 miles.
The only thing that ever came loose on ours was the shifter lever fell off, I had the bike at an indy shop and guess they did not tighten it enough. We found it and I put it back on even though it has a couple nicks, kinda to remind me to make sure things are tight.
fixing the occasional stearing head clunking is on my list "todo" list, until that time I just keep it in mind to avoid the bigger bumps. I think it was a big bump that started it all, some road construction a couple years ago and they did not taper the new section to meet the old section, it was about a 2 inch change in the roadway, that was the first time and it really clunked as the front end bottomed out, usually they put a little asphalt down to smooth the transition but I guess the crew didn't think it was important enough. Then again it could just be the age of the bike along with 122,000 miles.
The only thing that ever came loose on ours was the shifter lever fell off, I had the bike at an indy shop and guess they did not tighten it enough. We found it and I put it back on even though it has a couple nicks, kinda to remind me to make sure things are tight.
Doesnt look like a 23 yr old bike now. Happy riding. Bungo
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