steering head bearing

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Jul 3, 2019 | 02:14 PM

Dieselsoftail

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From: MA

steering head bearing

so got a question. Have owned my 09 heritage since 4/2018. its always seemed to have a low speed wobble if I let go of the bars for a sec. seems like 35-40mph. I also seem to have a little clunk over rough road. Feel maybe I should check my bearings.The guy got it from claimed he did the steering head during a 5k just before i grabbed it. had 5018 miles on it. have a trip planned at the end of july and just wanted to check it out. Is there a simple way vs the fall away ? Is it as simple as other taper bearings? snug then back off or is there a torque spec to go to?

Jul 3, 2019 | 04:09 PM

Screamin beagle

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From: Granville New York

Do the fall a way test then adjust accordingly. Go for a ride, take your hands off the bars while decelerating, if you get a wobble ,the steering head besring is probably bad. Seems unlikely the p.o. replaced that bearing with 5k on the bike or even looked at it for that matter lol. That's about all i know lol

Jul 3, 2019 | 04:37 PM

Dieselsoftail

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From: MA

If i remember right he said it was serviced. But I don't believe anything til I do it myself. So,I'll check it out. Can I assume normal tube of bearing grease is good ?

Jul 4, 2019 | 04:26 PM

Dan89FLSTC

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From: South Carolina

The bike is 10 years old, so it wouldn`t hurt to pull the front end apart and inspect/repack the bearings, also check the wheel bearings while the front end is apart.

Easy job on a bike with no fairing.

Front tire unbalance could cause head shake on decel, but so could steering head bearings that are loose.

How old are the tires?

Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Jul 4, 2019 at 04:29 PM.

Jul 4, 2019 | 05:04 PM

Dieselsoftail

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From: MA

I just installed new tires not long ago , wheel bearings felt OK. I did a rebalance beginning of the season. It does seem to flop pretty fast/hard when up on the jack. I think I'll at least pull the cap and look. Being my first Harley. I don't mind learning.