I've got my 2013 Glide in my shop for its winter facelift and I'm going to do the fall away test on the front end. It's feeling a bit stiff. I'll disconnect the clutch cable. Is there a need to take the brake callipers off as well? Or anything else?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJzQPsE4AoE


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa6pvoa5KgY

 

I recently lubed my steering head bearings and just torqued the steering head nut to the specs, checked that was not too loose or tight but did not do the fall away check and it handles the same as before.

 

on your 2013, you do not do a fallaway test. you do a swing test. turn your handlebars all the way to one side and see how many swings it takes to get back to the center. and you said 'glide', if you are meaning roadglide, then you'll want the settings on the tighter side. there is a different spec for the batwing vs. sharknose fairing.

and be aware. that star nut on the stem takes very little movement to make a big change.

 

Pull the steering stem off and clean and inspect the steering head bearings first.

Bearings may be ok, but you will probably find the grease has dried up.

In years past these bearings would go forever without service, but now the bikes have become super heavy.

On these heavy machines it is best to clean and inspect these bearings every 25k.

 

On my 2011 FLHTK I never did anything with the brakes on the swing test, just the clutch cable. SKRATCH is correct when he says that nut is touchy, I had to do mine multiple times until I got it right.

 

I suspect the rollers are generally okay but the races get dented.

 

Got 96k on my 14 UL, Winter teardown includes replacing steering head bearings and races.