Just finished replacing Fr.Fork Oil Seals & Steer.Head Bearings on my 91 Ultra.
Local Indy quoted a Grand Total $.600.00 for all work. To save money,I decided to do work myself & with a buddy. Or should I say a buddy & me. Without my buddys 45 + years wrenching (not Harleys) skills it could have been a disaster!.
For anyone with limited wrenching ability, like me, these 2 jobs are DEFINITELY for the skilled Harley Wrench + Assistant.. These pics. may give a clue to the work involved......Bungo

 

Wow Bill, that looks like work, LOL I gotta tell ya its a whole lot easier on a springer.

 

Yeah, X2..I'm headed out to the garage to pump some grease in mine so I don't have to do that anytime soon...LOL

D

 

Were the bearings loose that they needed to be replaced? Looks like they are well lubed. The reason I ask is I have a 90 fxrs-sp bought used and have not replaced the bearings. All feels tight, wondering if maybe I need to do bearings. Or was this a "while I'm at it" thing?

 

As havoc says....."a lot easier to do on a Springer".
If the Steering Head "feels tight" I would say.... leave them alone.
The Steer. Head Bearings on my 91 Ultra with 60k on the clock were actually in very good condition according to my buddy who has years and years of wrenching experience. I decided to change the S.H.Bearings as I had already bought a Set of Timkens.
If your 90 fxrs has done very high mileage esp. over rough terrain I would say it is a personal choice whether to change them or not. Well lubed isnt always a sign that the Bearings are in good condition in fact some believe that excessive greasing of Bearings isnt a good idea. The way to check is well documented and seems to be ...lift the front end (forks & wheel)up with a jack probably lifting from below the front engine mount. Place substantial timber or whatever under & across the bottom Frame to give EXTRA STABILITY. DONT depend on the jack alone for overall stability especially when working. If the Steer. Head bearings feel loose ,or rattle, when the front wheel and forks are pulled & pushed Forward & Back then the Bearings will probably need replacing. With the bike still jacked up the Handlebars should move freely (not too freely) when pulled to both Left & Right extremes and with no "clicks" or "notches" sound.. They shouldnt feel too tight to push nor should they feel too slack/free.
The Bearing replacement is probably the easiest part of the job,its just the Fairing removal,the Spotlight Bar, and all the wiring thats got to be disconnected on the Faired Harleys that gives you the headache. Anyway...good luck should you attempt the wrenching yourself but remember to have a buddy helping as I think it takes 2 to do the job safely and well. There are many,many more on this forum who have forgotten more about Harleys than I know. If you have any problems or need advice I am sure they will come to the rescue as they have done in the past for me.. Hope this info. helps you whatever your choice.Have a great summer.! Bungo

 

Many people doesn`t care about SH bearings untill they brake/fail. Cleaning and lubricating SH bearings is a standard maintenance work just like oil changes.
Greasing/changing SH bearings is pretty easy, unless the bike is Electra Glide.
Getting the fairing off is a nightmare.

Changing fork seals on EG is easy and the job goes "standard" just like with any other forks. These are japanese SHOWA forks so servicing them is similar as in japanese bikes.