Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Is this normal??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 7, 2009 | 02:52 PM
  #1  
Dallastx's Avatar
Dallastx
Thread Starter
|
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,289
Likes: 3
From: Rowlett, Texas
Default Is this normal??

I never paid attention I guess. Grease where the front fork goes into the frame.
 

Last edited by Dallastx; May 7, 2009 at 02:55 PM.
Reply
Old May 7, 2009 | 02:55 PM
  #2  
kingkingking's Avatar
kingkingking
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,639
Likes: 2
From: Australia
Default

you mean around the steering head bearings?
 
Reply
Old May 7, 2009 | 03:07 PM
  #3  
mkbrower's Avatar
mkbrower
Cruiser
15 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Mooresboro NC
Default

Originally Posted by Dallastx
I never paid attention I guess. Grease where the front fork goes into the frame.
I just had my forks off and no grease. Dry as a bone. I sprayed some WD 40 to add a little lubrication when I put the forks back in.

Mark
 
Reply
Old May 7, 2009 | 03:19 PM
  #4  
WillyHD's Avatar
WillyHD
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 0
From: Central FL
Default

Since I just got my EG I haven't looked. Do the baggers have a grease nipple for the head bearings like my FXST? I'll have to look tonight.

C
 
Reply
Old May 7, 2009 | 03:56 PM
  #5  
iclick's Avatar
iclick
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Default

Originally Posted by mkbrower
I just had my forks off and no grease. Dry as a bone. I sprayed some WD 40 to add a little lubrication when I put the forks back in.
First, WD40 isn't a lubricant--it is a penetrant and shouldn't be used to lubricate anything except maybe door hinges and other minor uses. Second, the forks have no exterior lubricating points, although it is normal for some grease from the steering head to settle in that area. It the steering head was greased correctly at the 1000-mile service there should be some grease evident from the top or bottom of the steering head. On a new bike there will be none, as the factory's idea of greasing the steering head is just enough to last 1000 miles. The first service will require a lot of grease to fill the head.
 
Reply
Old May 7, 2009 | 04:20 PM
  #6  
Dallastx's Avatar
Dallastx
Thread Starter
|
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,289
Likes: 3
From: Rowlett, Texas
Default

Originally Posted by iclick
First, WD40 isn't a lubricant--it is a penetrant and shouldn't be used to lubricate anything except maybe door hinges and other minor uses. Second, the forks have no exterior lubricating points, although it is normal for some grease from the steering head to settle in that area. It the steering head was greased correctly at the 1000-mile service there should be some grease evident from the top or bottom of the steering head. On a new bike there will be none, as the factory's idea of greasing the steering head is just enough to last 1000 miles. The first service will require a lot of grease to fill the head.
Makes sense to me..
 
Reply
Old May 7, 2009 | 04:39 PM
  #7  
ElectraDave's Avatar
ElectraDave
Road Captain
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 584
Likes: 4
From: Central FL
Default

My '03 Electraglide has a nipple on the steering head. Manual says to grease at regular intervals; I'd have to look at owners manual to tell you for sure but I think every 1000 miles. HTH.
 
Reply
Old May 7, 2009 | 04:50 PM
  #8  
WillieC's Avatar
WillieC
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 906
Likes: 0
From: State College, PA
Default 2006 SG has a grease nipple

on the steering head
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 7, 2009 | 05:07 PM
  #9  
layne01's Avatar
layne01
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
From: NorCal/Bay Area
Default

After going through my own bike, I would have to say that the factory does not waste any money on grease. Nothing, nada, bearings need grease!
 
Reply
Old May 7, 2009 | 05:13 PM
  #10  
jag1886's Avatar
jag1886
Grand HDF Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,122
Likes: 44
From: Boise Idaho
Default

I had so much grease on my front forks when I first got it that the heat front the motor was melting it and it was running out the left side of the tree and down the leg, making it look like it had a leaking leg seal.
My 07 has a grease zert on the neck.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:57 PM.

story-0
10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

Slideshow: Not every motorcycle can be a design icon, and these machines prove that bold styling doesn't always age gracefully.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-1
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-9
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE