Neck bearings
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 273
Likes: 25
From: Nebraska
Neck bearings
I just got new tires installed and as I was riding home I noticed the front end shaking more than it did when I had the old tire on. I put it up on my stand and did the fall away and it was out of wack. What causes the bearing to loosen up? I grease them every oil change? Anymore I can do in the future to prevent this?
What year and model? Might be the washer under the steering head nut. There's a TSB on it for certain years. If the washer on your bike looks like thin sheet metal and is bent up to "lock" the nut in place, you probably qualify for the updated washer. Your dealer can run your VIN and tell you, but get a copy of the TSB and double check them. They've been known to not be real accurate.
What year and model? Might be the washer under the steering head nut. There's a TSB on it for certain years. If the washer on your bike looks like thin sheet metal and is bent up to "lock" the nut in place, you probably qualify for the updated washer. Your dealer can run your VIN and tell you, but get a copy of the TSB and double check them. They've been known to not be real accurate.
I think they had it right by 09, but check out the washer to be sure. The torque spec was also changed in the bulletin, so double check what your torquing to. IIRC it was bulletin M-1215? The "fall away test" is a good reference point, but IMHO there are too many variables that come into play. Bars, risers, lines, cables, grips, mirrors, how lines and cables are routed, how tight they are etc will all affect the fall away test. I find it best to combine the fall away, torque spec, and feel. When it's on the lift, there shouldn't be any feeling of binding or dragging, and it should be smooth as glass. There should also be at least some sort of fall away, it shouldn't be solid all the way through the turning radius. While riding there should be no shimmy (most noticed when rolling off the throttle), and no clunk on bumps. I generally set it in the middle of the torque range and see ow she does, then adjust from there.
Disclaimer: I'm not a mechanic or HD tech. I'm just some dude with an opinion that is worth absolutely nothing on the open market. Your steering is pretty important. If you're not comfortable wrenching on it, and making decisions about it, that could affect your safety, then don't. Your results may vary.
Disclaimer: I'm not a mechanic or HD tech. I'm just some dude with an opinion that is worth absolutely nothing on the open market. Your steering is pretty important. If you're not comfortable wrenching on it, and making decisions about it, that could affect your safety, then don't. Your results may vary.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
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From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
I don't like the fall away for my bike, The cables puts pressure on the bars so IMO its not a very accurate way to check them at all..
If one removed all cables from the bars then it would be a lot better.
Tapered Bearings under normal conditions should not come loose, but as stated above some washers collapse and or the nut can loosen.
I think I've read in here last yr about a TQ value giving for the nut, I would perfer that over the fall away anytime.
Be sure to loosen Ur Pinch bolts first before adjusting the neck bearing either way so the tubes will move.
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If one removed all cables from the bars then it would be a lot better.
Tapered Bearings under normal conditions should not come loose, but as stated above some washers collapse and or the nut can loosen.
I think I've read in here last yr about a TQ value giving for the nut, I would perfer that over the fall away anytime.
Be sure to loosen Ur Pinch bolts first before adjusting the neck bearing either way so the tubes will move.
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 273
Likes: 25
From: Nebraska
Took the bike to dealer today. The fall away was good, the Neck bearings are good, the balance on the tire was good, yet I still have the shake, even the dealer is stumped right now, guess I'll wait and see what they come up with.
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Had that issue when I was running the 21" 5 spoke front. After many trips to the dealer, finally found a tech who had seen the issue before. He threw a couple extra lbs of torque on the steering head nut and everything was fine. About a year later they released the bulletin for the new nut and torque specs. Generally the dealer will not deviate from specs. You might want to throw a little extra umph on the steering head nut and see if it solves the problem. Play with it a bit till ya find the minimum torque before the shimmy returns.
Another route, if you have a spoked wheel, might want to check all the spokes, make sure they're not loose.
Another route, if you have a spoked wheel, might want to check all the spokes, make sure they're not loose.
Last edited by jreichart; Apr 18, 2012 at 05:36 AM.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 385
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From: Ontario Canada
My 07 Train has the same issue, it's at the Indy shop now getting a new tire, so with a fresh tire, spokes checked, and wheel balanced, we'll see if I have the same result as you did. Hopefully it'll be fine................
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
I just got new tires installed and as I was riding home I noticed the front end shaking more than it did when I had the old tire on. I put it up on my stand and did the fall away and it was out of wack. What causes the bearing to loosen up? I grease them every oil change? Anymore I can do in the future to prevent this?
Common sense would say its the new tire.!. Unless they messed up the install somewhere/somehow.
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