Steering head grease fitting
Thread Starter
|
Banned
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: massachusetts
Steering head grease fitting
Anyone know how much grease it takes in the Zerk fitting on the steering head to get to the upper and lower bearings without making a mess or just doing a couple pumps that do nothing in a large empty space in there? I just got this feeling that you can pump a whole cartridge of grease in that head cause its empty from the factory and a couple pumps won't even make it to the bearings. Anyone check this out on the 2010 touring frames?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
Yup - probably about 2/3 of a cartridge. Before you do it consider high temp grease to reduce grease driping out - especially if you're doing this service for the first time on a new bike.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,005
Likes: 53
From: ID Ho
Anyone know how much grease it takes in the Zerk fitting on the steering head to get to the upper and lower bearings without making a mess or just doing a couple pumps that do nothing in a large empty space in there? I just got this feeling that you can pump a whole cartridge of grease in that head cause its empty from the factory and a couple pumps won't even make it to the bearings. Anyone check this out on the 2010 touring frames?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,806
Likes: 1,754
From: New Bern NC
Assuming the 2010's are about the same as the 2008's where the steering neck is concerned, yes it takes a lot. The bearings are greased from the factory but to grease them after they are installed you have to fill the cavity before the grease will be forced through the bearings. As Davessworks stated use a high quality high temp grease to cut down on the dreaded fender drip on hot days.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
Starting to see the wisdom of Hog Doc on this one! HD - is this what you do at the dealer when someone comes in and asks for scheduled maintenance?
My first bike didn't have the zerk fitting and the only way to grease the bearings was what HD said.
Any suggestions for someone (me) who pumped a near full cartridge in? (groan).
BTW - I really don't have this problem on my 01 Fatboy. Fill up the neck and doesn't drip out.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,806
Likes: 1,754
From: New Bern NC
My dealer does it to all the bikes they service.
I did mine and have never had a drip. I did wipe out the excess after I filled it the first time and a couple of times after that but it has never dripped past the bottom of the triple tree.
I did mine and have never had a drip. I did wipe out the excess after I filled it the first time and a couple of times after that but it has never dripped past the bottom of the triple tree.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,005
Likes: 53
From: ID Ho
Starting to see the wisdom of Hog Doc on this one! HD - is this what you do at the dealer when someone comes in and asks for scheduled maintenance?
My first bike didn't have the zerk fitting and the only way to grease the bearings was what HD said.
Any suggestions for someone (me) who pumped a near full cartridge in? (groan).
BTW - I really don't have this problem on my 01 Fatboy. Fill up the neck and doesn't drip out.
My first bike didn't have the zerk fitting and the only way to grease the bearings was what HD said.
Any suggestions for someone (me) who pumped a near full cartridge in? (groan).
BTW - I really don't have this problem on my 01 Fatboy. Fill up the neck and doesn't drip out.
I stopped using the special purpose grease also. I use the wheel bearing grease which doesnt turn back to oil on a hot day. The neck doesnt spin at high speeds like a wheel, in all reality a set of neck bearings that where greased properly without the use of a pressure washer should last decades!
Trending Topics
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
You are saying the Dealer pumps it full till it starts to squeeze out the ends? The reason I am asking, it doesn't make sense. why don't they fill the cavity between the bearings at the factory...if it's supposed to be full!
Last edited by Ronp42; Mar 3, 2010 at 09:10 PM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Banned
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: massachusetts
Not that great of place to store a cartridge of grease
Had a feeling that it was a useless Zerk fitting. A couple pumps over several years and it still wont get on the bearings. You know the dealer fills it for you on the 1k service,not! You fill the damn thing up and you have a huge mess if you ever take it apart and you fill it till you see it top and bottom and it will ozz for weeks after. What a waste!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,806
Likes: 1,754
From: New Bern NC
