Replacing steering head bearings...
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 7
From: Baltimore, md
Replacing steering head bearings...
Hi folks,
So I got a flat tire in Baltimore yesterday and removed the wheel to take to my local indy for a new tire. I suspect the tire is fine and it is a rusty rim that is the problem... regardless, they'll let me know.
My question is this. The bike is a '75 fxe and it steers like a GD whale, so I am going to use this to replace the steering head bearings. I've searched the threads here and couldn't find anything on what I need to replace.
I've found wildly different prices on the bearings themselves, and I'm hoping to do this job Saturday afternoon, so I could use some advice quick! Do I need to replace seals and bearings? Just bearings? Races too? I have a service manual and feel confident I can handle the job, I've just never done them before.
Thanks!
Papa
So I got a flat tire in Baltimore yesterday and removed the wheel to take to my local indy for a new tire. I suspect the tire is fine and it is a rusty rim that is the problem... regardless, they'll let me know.
My question is this. The bike is a '75 fxe and it steers like a GD whale, so I am going to use this to replace the steering head bearings. I've searched the threads here and couldn't find anything on what I need to replace.
I've found wildly different prices on the bearings themselves, and I'm hoping to do this job Saturday afternoon, so I could use some advice quick! Do I need to replace seals and bearings? Just bearings? Races too? I have a service manual and feel confident I can handle the job, I've just never done them before.
Thanks!
Papa
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,008
Likes: 464
new bearings won't hurt. I did mine because I was doing just about everything else on the bike. But, do you really need new bearings?
What were your tire pressures like when you say it rode like a whale. Low tire pressure will make it ride horrible.
What were your tire pressures like when you say it rode like a whale. Low tire pressure will make it ride horrible.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 7
From: Baltimore, md
Nah, it steered like hell even fully inflated. Wandered a lot and turns were jerky... This bike has had very little maintenance but a lot of riding over the last decade, so... it's time to start going over it as fast as $$ allows.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 979
Likes: 38
From: new orleans,la
a friend of mine worked at a boat trailer place in the 70's - the wheel bearings that fit a skipper "B" boat trailer are the same bearings that fit the Harley neck cups for the front end..
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,494
From: Decatur, Alabama
I would pull the bearings out, clean them, then inspect them before making the decision to replace. chances are good that the bearings just need fresh grease packed in them. I never replaced the swingarm bearings in my shovel and they were original from 1973. Looked great after I cleaned all that old snot out of them.
carl
carl
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,125
Likes: 51,446
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
I have with OEM head cups knocked them out then drilled 2 small holes on the shoulder just over the race then punched them out before I had access to a welder.
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