How do you know when or if your neck bearing needs adjustment? Front wheel doesn`t shake,and don`t have uneven tread wear,just a need to know.
Thanks for lookin and comments.

 

Get the front wheel off ground and check front to back play at the wheel.

 

The Service manual say's to check at 1000 mile service and every 10,000 miles. Raise the Motorcycle until both wheels are the same distance off the floor.( in other words make sure the bike is level. Turn the steering head to one side until it hits the stop. turn loose and it should swing freely back and forth for at least 3 turns. It might not swing freely like the manual say's because of the cables...ect. While I have mine in the air I sit a block underneath the back wheel to steady it. Kneeling down in front I take hold of the Fork leg just above the axle and see if theres any movement straight forward and back. At 25K HD says grease with part#99857-97
If you stand on the left side and turn the steering head to the right stop, you will see a grease fitting. That fitting is straight 1/4 28 thread. I changed mine out to a 90 Degree fitting so I can grease it. Hope this helped, Ride Safe

 

There's a service interval for adjusting them. Check your service or owners manual.

One way to know if it needs tightening is if you feel a clunk when you hit a bump. It doesn't take much to adjust it. Maybe an eighth of a turn or less.

There's a technical way of checking it using "fall away". I just tighten it a smidge and feel how well the front end turns with it off the deck. Never had any problems with this method.

 

Good topic. If my memory serves me right (I'm at work where my manual isn't) the manual says that when you check the fall away, it should be between 2 swings (1 reversal) and 4 or 5 swings. Mine was at the top end so I tightened it down. Now it barely reveses to the second swing. I know some on this forum have stated recently that they prefer the steering head tighter than not to get rid of the dreaded wobble but I'm not sure if I overdid it.

My question is, do you think my steering head is too tight and, what would happen if it were?

 

If you think about it, these are the same type cup & cone bearings as used in Wheel assemblies on Trailers...ect. Even though Harley doesn't give clearance specs on the bearing's...( as I've seen) I would think they are set pretty close at factory because they don't turn enough to get hot and expand.

 

Thanks guys,before I posted I read the (fall away) method,but felt there was a more practical way of doin the check.If one side of your handle bars weighs more than the other(I-pod holder,brake resevoir on one side,not the other, for example), it is naturally gonna fall to that side,with modern tech know how, I think there would be a better way.I like the idea of grabbing the forks and checking for slop. JMO... Thanks again.

 

You will know if you have over tightened your neck bearings as soon as you take off down the road. The bike will keep moving from side to side. In other words, you can’t get the bike to track in a straight line. The triple tree must move freely side to side or the bike will keep tracking side to side. It’s a terrible sensation, ask me how I know. It’s as though you keep leaning the bike side to side except you’re not leaning.

To properly adjust the neck bearings; loosen the neck bearing nut then slowly tighten it until you feel no more thumping or bumping in the front fork legs while you rock the bike back and forth by pushing and pulling on the front wheel. Tighten no more, this is where the free play is gone but the bearings are not pre-loaded. Another method is to hold the front brake on while easily rocking the bike back and forth; you should not feel any thumping or bumping in the front fork legs. Once the bearings are pre-loaded you will get the side to side motion with the bike going straight down the road. This method has been used for years on all makes and modules but does not replace the service manual method, just an alternative method.

Dave

 

Thanks Dave, that makes sense. The manual does describe too tight bearings as contributing to a weave, so I guess that's what a weave is. Should have the bike out in a month or so and will test it then.

 

Quick questions:

1. The manual states:

To decrease the number of swings, stand on the left side of the vehicle......

To increase the number of swings, stand on the right side of the vehicle......

Is this when you are facing forward like when your riding or facing the bike from the front of bike?

Update: Nevermind on question #1. Watching the Fix-My- Hog DVD and it's pretty much impossible to do anything when facing forward. So on to question #2.

2. Anyone used anything else besides the "tool" they tell you to make to do the adjustment?

I'm going to have to see about finding an aluminum rod and handfiling it down it that's the only way to do it.