Zerk grease fitting on steering head.....check yours!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Interesting thread. So the factory puts zerk fittings on the neck and never fulls them and the dealer ignore these as well. Texas SG states they are a waste of space/money to have in the first place and he speaks from experience (I assume an HD technician). FXDSEWANNABE says you can overfill these fittings and get it all over the tank and frame during hot days.
Not sure what to do at this point...
Not sure what to do at this point...
As for grease oozing all over things, this does happen. I've found that certain greases don't ooze much if any, one of which is Royal Purple grease (NLGI #2), although the factory HD grease will. I used the RP grease on my '96 RK and after nine years never had any ooze or other problems in >100k miles.
Since the factory grease will likely ooze out at first, to keep the gunk in control I cut a piece of black foam and inserted it on the left side of the steering head in the tray area under the Zerk fitting. That catches any ooze that might drip down your fork tubes. It's necessary to fit the foam only on the left side since any or most migration of oil will happen when the bike is sitting on the kickstand.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Next, go to the hardware store and buy a brass-"L" (90°) that will fit on the grease gun between the rubber hose and the end fitting.
Last edited by iclick; Jul 16, 2009 at 02:37 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,494
From: Decatur, Alabama
I replaced the zerk fitting with a 90 degree one on my Road King and filled the entire neck. Took forever. I've never had any problems with the grease melting in the hot Alabama sun either.
Maybe the extra grease in the neck area won't do any good. But aside from the possibility of some greases making a mess under the neck I don't see where it would do any harm.
Maybe the extra grease in the neck area won't do any good. But aside from the possibility of some greases making a mess under the neck I don't see where it would do any harm.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 793
Likes: 114
Tractor Supply sells a 90degree coupler, used it on my 04 and older. It may work on the 09s as well. Have not tried it yet. Here is a link to the newer version TSC sells. Mine was only $5, if ya look at the pic in the link, mine was only the black end, ya screwed it onto the hose or tube of your grease gun.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/...g=true&cFlag=1
http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/...g=true&cFlag=1
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 827
Likes: 5
From: Ohio
There is no need to fit a 90° Zerk to the steering head. First, buy a flexible rubber section like this one that replaces the metal tube on most grease guns. Mine isn't 18" long like the one in the above link, but the extra length may come in handy. I use the grease gun on many other applications around the house like my mower, which has probably 10 Zerks on it. The rubber hose is a must for any grease gun, IMO. If you don't already have a grease gun Harbor Freight Tools has about six models with rubber hoses included.
Next, go to the hardware store and buy a brass-"L" (90°) that will fit on the grease gun between the rubber hose and the end fitting.
Next, go to the hardware store and buy a brass-"L" (90°) that will fit on the grease gun between the rubber hose and the end fitting.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa, OK
I use this, its green, i like it...its purdy...and no oozing issues.
I'm skeptical thaty they even see any grease at assembly...and since they rode the big boat over here it more likley that they're dipped in cosmoline.
I grease mine at every fluid change, I generally pump in about a 1/2 tube and then clean up the mess, I notice that I get some gritty crap pushed out from around the bearing...has to be doing some good to get that out of there.
I'm skeptical thaty they even see any grease at assembly...and since they rode the big boat over here it more likley that they're dipped in cosmoline.
I grease mine at every fluid change, I generally pump in about a 1/2 tube and then clean up the mess, I notice that I get some gritty crap pushed out from around the bearing...has to be doing some good to get that out of there.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Rockys
A friends neck bearings went bad because of lack of grease on his bagger at about 50,000 miles.
It was dry as a bone, never greased, so I grease mine at every oil change and doesn't hurt anything to grease it.
Once the hollow chamber is filled with grease, it only take one or two shots every time to keep it charged up with grease.
It was dry as a bone, never greased, so I grease mine at every oil change and doesn't hurt anything to grease it.
Once the hollow chamber is filled with grease, it only take one or two shots every time to keep it charged up with grease.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Maybe so if all you're servicing is the bike's steering head. I use the grease gun for other things and the flexibility is more than just a convenience. You've got to go to the hardware store the the 90° Zerk anyway, so why not get the rubber hose (if not already on the gun) and "L" instead?