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I have a 2018 Ultra Limited with 20K that I am unable to get the steering head bearing adjusted. When I perform the swing-back IAW the service manual I can't get the 3rd mark to fall in between the 1st and 2cd mark. View attached picture for explanation. Could it be that the bearings are bad. I know that I have done everything IAW the service manual to prep the bike correctly such as making sure the bike is level front to back side to side and all add on accessories are off in order that they not affect the procedure. Any help or explanation would be appreciated.
I tried to adjust my 2013 RG Ultra Classic, With no luck either.
I took it to our local HD dealer to complete, They said I tightened the head to much.
1.50 hrs labor 180 Bucks Done deal.
Worn or dry bearings could be an issue, although with only 20k I doubt they’re worn out. Does your bike have grease fitting? I always consider the factory process to be a guideline. You need to experiment a bit and see how it rides. Adjust, test, adjust again.
I attempted this procedure on my 2019 RG when it had less than 5k miles. Just like you I could never get mark 3 to fall between marks 1&2. No matter how much I tightened or loosened the steering nut, it simply would not pass this step. I'm thinking this step of the swing back check is bogus. In the end all I did is adjust the nut so measurement 4 was within the dimensions specified in table 4 for my bike. I'm beyond happy with the way the bike handles. It rides and handles like a magic carpet.
I attempted this procedure on my 2019 RG when it had less than 5k miles. Just like you I could never get mark 3 to fall between marks 1&2. No matter how much I tightened or loosened the steering nut, it simply would not pass this step. I'm thinking this step of the swing back check is bogus. In the end all I did is adjust the nut so measurement 4 was within the dimensions specified in table 4 for my bike. I'm beyond happy with the way the bike handles. It rides and handles like a magic carpet.
I believe that I have found a reasonable explanation of why I was having a slight wobble at very low speeds. BTW, I didn't mention this wobble in my OP. When I say "low", I'm talking like parking lot speeds/slow maneuvers. I spoke to a small shop motorcycle repair owner about the problem (wobble) and also to my local Harley Davidson service manager. They both mentioned that perhaps one of the bearing had developed a nick/crease in it and when I put new tires on my bike it made it noticeable. Since my bike is near the 25K service, where the bearings should be looked at/serviced I am going to have them replaced. Stickman, I am leaning toward your view about the 3rd mark being bogus. The small shop owner said that he wasn't able to get that 3rd mark to fall between the 1st & 2cd mark either. He had a number of his mechanics attempt it also and they failed. I asked the HD service manager if there was a service bulletin concerning this procedure and he wasn't able to find one.
Worn or dry bearings could be an issue, although with only 20k I doubt theyre worn out. Does your bike have grease fitting? I always consider the factory process to be a guideline. You need to experiment a bit and see how it rides. Adjust, test, adjust again.
No, my bike doesn't have a grease fitting for the neck bearings.. I'm leaning toward it being a bearing issue. See my reply to Stickman.
Stickman53, I have ignored the 3rd mark parameters and have adjusted my bearing to fall within the parameters listed for my bike. I am satisfied with the results and haven't noticed any wobble as of yet. I'm going to put of having the bearings serviced when I get to 25K. I'm currently at 21K .j Anyway, CHEERS! Ride safe.
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Steering Head Adjustment Failure
