The nacelle on the RKC (or anyone with a fairing) make this a hard fitting to attach a grease gun. The zerk is blocked by the nacelle/fairing. You guys may want to consider replacing the straight zerk with a 6MM 90 degree zerk fitting, it makes access alot easier. I tried a 90 degree adapter on the grease gun and that resulted in a glob of excess grease in the nacelle and none in the steering head bearings. Then tried 1/4 inch zerk fittings (American bike=standard size parts - Not!) but they do not thread into the steering head, use 6MM. You can probably remove the old zerk by turning the handle bars to the extreme right to gain access. I removed the headlight assembly to change the zerk, it was easier than trying squeeze my fat fingers between the nacelle and steering head. As a stated in other related posts the steering head is shipped with minimal lube from the factory. During the first lube expect a lot of pump stokes on the grease gun to fill the steering head in accordance with the shop manual.

Oh by the way this was supposed to have been done during the 10,000 service at the dealer. I found the original zerk dry (no grease) and the steering head dry as well. Makes me wonder what other service items were omitted during dealer care. Hope this may help.

2004 Road King Classic
Bremerton, WA

 

I have an 01 RKC and noticed the same dry zerk fitting when getting the bike ready for the summer. I have 12k on the bike now. I took the old zerk fitting to the local auto parts store and the threads appear to be between the 6MM and 7MM and they were not SAE either. I left the HDstraight zerk in the column and lubed the bearing while I had the headlight nacelle off. I am still not certain what the thread size should be. For what this may be worth. At least it isn't an area that needs a lot of greasing so taking off the nacelle is worth the effort to me for now.
Doesany one else think the thread size may bea non standard? Perhaps I just have aspecial one.

 

I went to the auto parts store locally and took the old fitting with me to match the threads.
A 90 degree fitting works great.
I think the steering head took about 60 pumps of grease (after the 1000 mile check)which the dealer didn't do anything with.
Make sure to use fairly heavy grease because the engine heat will melt some and it may drip down the left fork leg a bit after you're done.
I also pulled the shifter shaft from the primary case and drilled and tapped it for a fitting also.
The bikes used to come that way also , I think.
Mick

 

I swapped mine out for a 45 then put the original in the primary for the shifter shaft[8D]

 

I wish I knew where the grease was supposed to go once pumped into the steering head (obviously, it goes into the steering head, but, does it get into the bearings?) - Also, if the grease isn't a high temp grease, it'll run down onto your front fender everytime the engine gets hot. A poor arrangement at best.

 

What brand/type of geese is best. I am gettin ready to contact amsoil about synthetic lube?

 

On my Eglide Standard, the fitting was 1/4-28 thread. Got it at the auto parts store for less than a buck.

 

My 07 is 1/4-28 as well.

 

Check with your local HD dealer - they have the correct lube.