Neck bearing grease.....
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Farmingdale, New York
Neck bearing grease.....
2 days ago while cleaning up the bike(2000 heritage) i figured I would check to see if the neck needed to be greased, I hooked up the grease gun and started pumping, the thing took a lot of grease before it came out of the bottom. is this normal? I mean it took a LOT OF GREASE(imo) I used a mini grease gun and filled it with Hrley lube and it took the whole shot.......
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 444
Likes: 1
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Yes, that is normal. It is my understanding that HD greases the bearings during assembly but does not fill the neck with grease. So when you go to grease it the first time YOU have to fill the entire neck with grease before any will push through the bearings.
I am sure there is a good reason for this, but I sure can't think of one.
I am sure there is a good reason for this, but I sure can't think of one.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Seems like nobody ever greased Ur's correctly.
Some just give the neck bearings a shot or two and go on.. Doing it that way will take yrs to get enough grease in there to actually have enough to force grease to the bearings, unless the Dealer did it. In my experience, I've never seen one do it..
I've posted about this in here at least once a yr since I've jointed. U have to put in enough grease till U get some out of the top and bottom bearings to do it right.
I also grease mine on the lift, seems this takes some pressure off the bottom bearing and allows the grease to get to it better.
I also use the HD neck bearing grease, even got a grease gun just for it.
The HD grease is different (heavier) than what U use on Wheels bearing and other auto apps and doesn't leak out as much.
.
Some just give the neck bearings a shot or two and go on.. Doing it that way will take yrs to get enough grease in there to actually have enough to force grease to the bearings, unless the Dealer did it. In my experience, I've never seen one do it..
I've posted about this in here at least once a yr since I've jointed. U have to put in enough grease till U get some out of the top and bottom bearings to do it right.
I also grease mine on the lift, seems this takes some pressure off the bottom bearing and allows the grease to get to it better.
I also use the HD neck bearing grease, even got a grease gun just for it.
The HD grease is different (heavier) than what U use on Wheels bearing and other auto apps and doesn't leak out as much.
.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 911
From: Omaha
My apologies Skiddd for highjacking your thread, but I have a related question:
Is it normal to have the grease ooze out of the lower bearing during normal operation?
It's not a lot of oozing but certainly enough to need a bit of wiping.
I assume the neck isn't sealed.
I did have the 10K service done last fall so perhaps this is just some overfill.
thanks,
Is it normal to have the grease ooze out of the lower bearing during normal operation?
It's not a lot of oozing but certainly enough to need a bit of wiping.
I assume the neck isn't sealed.
I did have the 10K service done last fall so perhaps this is just some overfill.
thanks,
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 13
From: Sussex, South of England
[quote=cmosentine;11106015]Yes, that is normal. It is my understanding that HD greases the bearings during assembly but does not fill the neck with grease. So when you go to grease it the first time YOU have to fill the entire neck with grease before any will push through the bearings.
I am sure there is a good reason for this, but I sure can't think of one.[/quote]
How about the reason "it would cost 10 times as much grease per bike"?
MoCo is stingy with most things. Think rubbish chrome, crappy bearings, hose clips on heat shields, cheap ty-raps on cables and many more.
I am sure there is a good reason for this, but I sure can't think of one.[/quote]
How about the reason "it would cost 10 times as much grease per bike"?
MoCo is stingy with most things. Think rubbish chrome, crappy bearings, hose clips on heat shields, cheap ty-raps on cables and many more.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 11
From: Mass/NH
Normal...like others said, it takes alot the first time since it is almost empty...If you check around you can easily find some high temp grease. I found some lucas oil high temp grease at auto zone, works great. You might still need to wipe a little at the bottom at first...
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Only advice I can give is to fill the neck with a good waterproof grease and clean up the mess. Every oil change after this give her 2 full pumps and you will be fine.
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Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
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From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Normal...like others said, it takes alot the first time since it is almost empty...If you check around you can easily find some high temp grease. I found some lucas oil high temp grease at auto zone, works great. You might still need to wipe a little at the bottom at first...
U don't need High temp grease,,, U need waterProof grease..
The right grease for the right job is more important than most think..
Big tube at the dealer was around $7.00.. bought it several yrs ago and still using same tube..
.
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Farmingdale, New York
Thanks guys, I guess I was running with an under filled neck. The bike's previous owner did have a 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 service done. I am surprised this wasn't done(should I be?)
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