Steering neck grease zerk
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,029
Likes: 12,550
From: South Carolina
My `89 Softail does not have a fitting. I repacked the bearings once since I bought the bike. It has 140,000 miles on it now, maybe I will repack the bearings again this winter. I`m thinking every 12 years is a good interval...
Tourer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 299
Likes: 40
From: Eastern foothills of Shenandoah Mountains, Virginia
I found 2 zerk fittings on my 99 FLSTC Softail Heritage EVO, 43,000miles:
1 on steering head, left side
1 on base of foot brake lever
Are there any more zerks on the bike?
Greasing them: Other posts/threads warn of grease dripping out, others say use the right grease and it won't drip/leak. Pump it in til interior is full and new grease oozes out – that's what I did on cars bitd. e.g. Lucas Red & Tacky, or Marine blue grease. Other posters don't bother greasing at all.
Any other recommendations for no-drip grease?
Pump how much grease in? I'm guessing fill the dang thing ?
Thanks,
(btw I looked up zerk: named for it's inventor, Oscar U Zerk , 1929.)
1 on steering head, left side
1 on base of foot brake lever
Are there any more zerks on the bike?
Greasing them: Other posts/threads warn of grease dripping out, others say use the right grease and it won't drip/leak. Pump it in til interior is full and new grease oozes out – that's what I did on cars bitd. e.g. Lucas Red & Tacky, or Marine blue grease. Other posters don't bother greasing at all.
Any other recommendations for no-drip grease?
Pump how much grease in? I'm guessing fill the dang thing ?
Thanks,
(btw I looked up zerk: named for it's inventor, Oscar U Zerk , 1929.)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,324
Likes: 3,869
From: Upstate New York
Only two grease fittings on my '94 Softail. I wish there was one more on the shifter shaft.
I use the "red" grease from Tractor Supply. I suspect it's the same thing as Lucas "Red and Tacky". It doesn't drip, but some will squeeze out of the lower bearing from time to time. That's why they make paper towels. At least I know the bearings are greased that way.
Yes, some people don't bother to grease the head bearings, and some worry about a drip of grease. Others want their bike to last "forever".
I use the "red" grease from Tractor Supply. I suspect it's the same thing as Lucas "Red and Tacky". It doesn't drip, but some will squeeze out of the lower bearing from time to time. That's why they make paper towels. At least I know the bearings are greased that way.
Yes, some people don't bother to grease the head bearings, and some worry about a drip of grease. Others want their bike to last "forever".
Last edited by Uncle G.; Jul 20, 2016 at 07:47 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
I hope that's all there is.
carl
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,996
Likes: 417
From: Cranbourne, VIC Australia
Only two grease fittings on my '94 Softail. I wish there was one more on the shifter shaft.
I use the "red" grease from Tractor Supply. I suspect it's the same thing as Lucas "Red and Tacky". It doesn't drip, but some will squeeze out of the lower bearing from time to time. That's why they make paper towels. At least I know the bearings are greased that way.
Yes, some people don't bother to grease the head bearings, and some worry about a drip of grease. Others want their bike to last "forever".
I use the "red" grease from Tractor Supply. I suspect it's the same thing as Lucas "Red and Tacky". It doesn't drip, but some will squeeze out of the lower bearing from time to time. That's why they make paper towels. At least I know the bearings are greased that way.
Yes, some people don't bother to grease the head bearings, and some worry about a drip of grease. Others want their bike to last "forever".
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,747
Likes: 419
From: Vermont
If your greasing neck bearings with zerk fitting. Lol its already to late. The fitting is a joke. Like was said take it apart. Replace bearing and repack by hand. U won't have to worry about it for a very long time. Had a lot of them apart. Bottom bearing and triple tree ozzzing grease. Upper bearing grease almost nothing other than a little mess. Almost all the time upper is pounded out.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 304
Likes: 38
From: SE Michigan
Sorry, a little off topic. What kind of grease gun fitting is everyone using to grease the steering neck bearings? I have an articulating fitting and still cant get in there to grease it. Thanks, G.B.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,324
Likes: 3,869
From: Upstate New York
If your greasing neck bearings with zerk fitting. Lol its already to late. The fitting is a joke. Like was said take it apart. Replace bearing and repack by hand. U won't have to worry about it for a very long time. Had a lot of them apart. Bottom bearing and triple tree ozzzing grease. Upper bearing grease almost nothing other than a little mess. Almost all the time upper is pounded out.
On the Softail, grease definitely goes through both bearings. I know, because it's a pain to wipe up the excess at the top bearing every time I grease it (with the fitting). Repeat every 5,000 miles. My bearings are running fine at 115,000 miles.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,996
Likes: 417
From: Cranbourne, VIC Australia
Perhaps on touring bikes. My experience with my Softail indicates otherwise.
On the Softail, grease definitely goes through both bearings. I know, because it's a pain to wipe up the excess at the top bearing every time I grease it (with the fitting). Repeat every 5,000 miles. My bearings are running fine at 115,000 miles.
On the Softail, grease definitely goes through both bearings. I know, because it's a pain to wipe up the excess at the top bearing every time I grease it (with the fitting). Repeat every 5,000 miles. My bearings are running fine at 115,000 miles.