Steering Head Bearing Lube
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,590
Likes: 444
From: Ohio
RE: Steering Head Bearing Lube
ORIGINAL: unclekunkle
I forgot to mention that the grease that is recommended is basicly a waterproof grease... like you would use to grease the wheel bearings on a boat trailer
I forgot to mention that the grease that is recommended is basicly a waterproof grease... like you would use to grease the wheel bearings on a boat trailer
Isn't all grease waterproof?
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach, Ca.
RE: Steering Head Bearing Lube
ORIGINAL: Beemervet
Ummmmm..............
Isn't all grease waterproof?
Ummmmm..............
Isn't all grease waterproof?
http://www.crcindustries.com/marine/...SL3120&S=N
HD manual calls for this type of grease in the assembly of the neck, swingarm bushings etc... making those critical areas of thebike less susceptable to the adverse affects of foul weather conditions.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 0
From: The Peoples Republic of Massachusstts
RE: Steering Head Bearing Lube
NO!!.....some grease is madeof or withlithiam (sp). When it mixs with water it turns to a soap and washes itself out of the bearing or makes it not lube correctly.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
From: Willis, Texas
RE: Steering Head Bearing Lube
I am confused about this issue. Yesterday I took my RG in for the 1000 mile service. I asked about the neck bearing lube. The service manager said they lube them at 10K. As one other member posted, "Took a good 1/2-2/3 of a tube of grease.............but now I know it's good to go and next time will only take a couple of pumps."
Where is the logic behind that? Where is the grease going that you would have to add more later? The SM also told me they dodn't fill them all the way up as they tend to drip grease out when hot sometimes. T.
Where is the logic behind that? Where is the grease going that you would have to add more later? The SM also told me they dodn't fill them all the way up as they tend to drip grease out when hot sometimes. T.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 774
Likes: 21
From: Florida
RE: Steering Head Bearing Lube
I tend to agree with Ultrasweet. I'm thinking that there are only 2 bearings in the head-tube. Although the fact that only one zerk fitting is installed makes me wonder how the grease is sent to both brgs. I'm no engineer, but it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to fill the entire steering head. Not only is it a waste, but the lube would eventually get semi-tacky and stiff over time. Any owners out there have an OEM Service Manual that can shed some light on the subject and take out the guess-work?
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Steering Head Bearing Lube
Come on HD wrench gurus....what is the correct answer. I need to grease my neck bearings and want to do it the right way WITHOUT grease dripping on my paint when it gets hot.
The reason it takes 1/2 to 2/3 of a tube is that they install grease packed bearings from the factory. The bearings are at the top and bottom of the neck leaving a large void between them. Short of pulling the front end apart to hand pack the bearings, you would have to load the entire void with grease until it pushes its way into the bearings. Putting one or two pumps into the neck won't do anything.
So is there a grease that will do the job and not drip when it gets hot outside? What is it?
Off to the shop for a day of therapy....
RJ
The reason it takes 1/2 to 2/3 of a tube is that they install grease packed bearings from the factory. The bearings are at the top and bottom of the neck leaving a large void between them. Short of pulling the front end apart to hand pack the bearings, you would have to load the entire void with grease until it pushes its way into the bearings. Putting one or two pumps into the neck won't do anything.
So is there a grease that will do the job and not drip when it gets hot outside? What is it?
Off to the shop for a day of therapy....
RJ
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 606
Likes: 0
From: nashvegas
RE: Steering Head Bearing Lube
ORIGINAL: stevepacman
My '07 Roadking Cust. is coming up on 10K mi. srvc. I'm planning on doing it myself. The only item I'm not sure about is the steering head bearing lube. Is there a zerk fitting I'm not finding? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
My '07 Roadking Cust. is coming up on 10K mi. srvc. I'm planning on doing it myself. The only item I'm not sure about is the steering head bearing lube. Is there a zerk fitting I'm not finding? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Steve,
Yes, the fitting is on the left side of the steering head on most models.Replace the present grease fitting with a 90* for simplisity and ease of service, use a heavy viscosity high duty cyclesticky grease to prevent the likelyhood of it heating up and seeping onto your fender. NAPA has their (RED STICKY GREASE) which is what I use in all applications. It will take nearly a whole tube if the neck hasn't been serviced. You will have some weep, use a Q-tip to clean the excess regulary.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 9,486
Likes: 4
From: Hico, TX (once home to Billy the Kid)
RE: Steering Head Bearing Lube
90 degree grease gun nozzle:
http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/the418.html
I read on this forum that someone suggested wrapping the lower space between the neck and fork with a light rope.
Pump grease until it comes out the top.
 \\;
http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/the418.html
I read on this forum that someone suggested wrapping the lower space between the neck and fork with a light rope.
Pump grease until it comes out the top.
 \\;