I've got a '07 Heritage (purchased new, serviced by H-D every 5,000 miles). Last year, at 40,000 miles, my local H-D dealer told me I needed a steering head adjustment. Once they got into it, they told me the bearings needed to be replaced, which I approved ($397). Now, one year later, I bring the bike in for the 45,000 mile service. The service advisor calls a day later and says I need a steering head adjustment. I informed him that I just had it done last year, 5,000 miles ago. Then, he goes on to tell me that it's necessary to adjust it after the bearings have had time to get seated. I refused the service pending research on this subject. I put the bike on the jack stand. There's no play in the steering/forks. The bike handles like it was new. Is it logical that a steering head adjustment is needed a year after the steering head bearings have been replaced? Also, the dealer wants $120 for the adjustment.

 

The manual for my '14 Heritage says initial adjustment at 1,000mi and lube/adjust every 10,000mi.

If you have a stand, then you can check the steering bearing fall-away - described in the service manual. Adjustment, if out of spec, may be more involved, requiring torque wrnch, etc.

 

Thanks for the quick response.