Had some wobble in my front end recently. Took the time today to check the steering head bolt. It was, in my opinion, pretty loose. I had to give it several cranks on the ratchet to get it tight. My torque wrench has vanished, so I just tightened it as tight as I could get it. Also put the grease gun to it. Used about a 1/4 of a tube. I won't have a chance until Saturday to see if this takes care of the wobble. Anyone have this experience with their head bolt being loose?

 

If I were you, I would read the fall away adjustment section in your service manual. You don't torque it down.

 

yep - I agreee!

Mine started to loosen on a 1400 mile trip and I had a bad front end clunk by the time I was back home. Checked the fall-away and tightened the bolt accordingly. I also re-greased and have no problems since.

 

Suggest a little more research on whether to torque steering head bolt or not. Imo opinion...torque it!! Hd provided a service bulletin in 2008 (m 1215) specific to 2006 and earlier softails, and some dynas, addressing the need to re-torque head bearings from their original factory 30-40 ft pounds to 70-80 ft pounds. Can't imagine not torquing a 2007. I could be wrong, but that is my opinion. Good luck.

 

Yes, i had the same problem with my bike. I felt it bad when i changes out my bars from knuckles to beach bars. 65+ mph it was a nightmare. First dealer i brought it to told me it was because of a 21" wheel up front and i even told them i felt it with my stock set-up. I asked them to check my head bearings and they (Blue Springs HD in Kansas City) told me it was loose but WITH-IN specs. What a joke!!!! ....So i then took my bike over to Gail's HD and they tightened it right up. Bike rides like nite and day now. I do feel a slight minor wobble occasionally at high speeds(70+mph) and on grooved roads, but nothing like before.

 

A friend of mine has an anniversary Heritage Classic. It has been maintained by the dealership. Recently, he rode in Rolling Thunder. Upon returning home he was riding to the local state HOG rally to take care of his volunteer duties and the front of his bike collapsed. The pinch bolt on one fork had broken in half. His steering head nut had either completely loosened or had fallen out (I don't remember which). Be forewarned.

C#

 

I have used the fall-away method for adjusting the steering head with good results. I would think that like wheel bearings on a spindle, if you tighten them too tight they will still turn, but they would wear VERY quickly.

 

You guys that use the fall away method, what do you use as a fixed pointer on the floor?

 

I totally understand what you are saying, and I did read the manual. While I did not torque it down, I did tighten the steering head bolt snugly. I can't imagine it being safe and being that loose. And while it gives no specific instructions on how tight in should be in the manual, many of the posts I read suggested torquing it down.

 

Hey HERITAGE123...I looked at an 07 softail shop manual today at my local dealers shop and it specifically states 35-45 foot pounds of torque to the steering head bolt. But you still should read my previous remarks . You be the judge!!!