Lubing steering head bearings??
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Elite HDF Member
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From: Punta Gorda,FL
Lubing steering head bearings??
I decided to lube my bearings. I have the chrome cup trim that goes on the bottom of the neck so I can't see when the grease starts to come out from the bottom bearing.
Just wondering for you guys that do your on lubing, do you see any grease come out at the top bearing or is it just the bottom end, due to gravity? I have put in a little over 1/2 a tube. My plan was after putting in the 1/2 tube to keep adding a few squeezes of grease after every ride until I saw some grease oozing out somewhere. It would be a PITA to remove the chrome piece on the bottom since it has a line attached to it, but I am thinking I might be slowly filling the chrome trim cup up from the excess grease, if it is oozing out.
Tom
Just wondering for you guys that do your on lubing, do you see any grease come out at the top bearing or is it just the bottom end, due to gravity? I have put in a little over 1/2 a tube. My plan was after putting in the 1/2 tube to keep adding a few squeezes of grease after every ride until I saw some grease oozing out somewhere. It would be a PITA to remove the chrome piece on the bottom since it has a line attached to it, but I am thinking I might be slowly filling the chrome trim cup up from the excess grease, if it is oozing out.
Tom
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From: Los Angeles, CA
I have done it both ways, the first time jsut coming out the bottom, the second coming out the top. When it came out of the top and the bike got hot a lot of grease melted and dripped onto my rocker box covers. 1/2 a tube sounds like you put more than enough. That reminds me, I gotta go lube mine again. Thanks.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Los Angeles, CA
I forgot to mention that I always wipe up the excess that comes out of the top and bottom as it will drip everywhere when hot. That might tough for you with that cover though. Maybe the cover will keep it all in there...
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Elite HDF Member
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From: Punta Gorda,FL
I read where if you don't put enough grease in to see it ooze out, that you haven't put enough in.
You can see the chrome trim piece in the attached picture. It looks like a cup.
Maybe that is it's function to catch grease so it wont spray on to the bike.
That is my front brake line that is attached to the bottom of it, so I am not too excited about taking it apart just to see if I got enough grease in.
Tom
You can see the chrome trim piece in the attached picture. It looks like a cup.
Maybe that is it's function to catch grease so it wont spray on to the bike.
That is my front brake line that is attached to the bottom of it, so I am not too excited about taking it apart just to see if I got enough grease in.
Tom
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From: Los Angeles, CA
If you put a half tube I'm sure youa re fine. It does look like a pain to take that off. I ahve been using th esmae tube and this is the third time I have lubed them and there is still plenty more in the tube.
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Elite HDF Member
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From: Punta Gorda,FL
I figure if I don't get enough grease in to allow it to build up and force it up into the top bearing that I just wasted my time putting in the 1/2 tube so far. I assume just by gravity and hot days that the grease will flow some into the lower bearing, but I would have to turn the bike upside down in order to get grease to go in the direction of the upper bearing.
I have been trying my best to keep the bike right side up since I bought it.
Tom
I have been trying my best to keep the bike right side up since I bought it.
Tom
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Cruiser
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From: Beaman, IA
I read where you have to restrict the grease from coming out the bottom to force it out the top. The post I read said to wrap a string around the washer on the bottom. I used the handle of the plastic sack from the store where I bought the tube of grease.
If the tube of grease you're talking about is the regular one. Ten or twelve inches long and you used half a tube. That's a chit load of grease. It should be showing up some where.
Inside of the handle bars? J/K
If the tube of grease you're talking about is the regular one. Ten or twelve inches long and you used half a tube. That's a chit load of grease. It should be showing up some where.
Inside of the handle bars? J/K
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Punta Gorda,FL
I think I'll call it good for now. It was definitely empty. It seems like a pretty Mickey Mouse way of getting grease to the bearings. I would guess most bikes never do get enough grease in the neck to force enough up to the upper bearing.
Tom
Tom
