Greasing steering head bearings
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 31
From: earth
According to the service manual you're supposed to fill the head with grease at the 1000-mile service, then inject more for every 5000-mile service until it oozes from the top or bottom of the head. The grease overflow you're getting is the grease liquifying and running down the left fork. Some grease will not run, and I've had no trouble with Royal Purple NLGI #2 grease. As an added measure I also cut a section of foam-rubber and inserted it in the left-section of the tray adjacent to the steering head. It soaks up whatever run-off I get from the remnants of the original grease.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I don't have any grease running down my left fork; what I have is the air blowing through the neck area picking up the grease, that is pushing out, and blowing all over the place. I actually noticed it after the first time I tasted it when it blew into my mouth, then I found it all over the front of my tank. Oh well, guess that's what I get for using Harley grease. Its not a perpetual problem, I cleaned up all the run out crap real good a couple times, haven't had the issue for a while, haven't added any more grease either. I'll try some of that no run grease next time.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: perryville, mo
in the process of trading in my '09 fatboy this week on a 103 streetglide...but i will not be greasing my neck bearings....other than a couple pumps every 5,000 miles....the dealer greased mine at my thousand mile oil change....and every since...i have the blue grease all over my bike and myself...ruining my jeans...all over my good $400 leather coat...endless cleaning it off my bike....its like its reproducing in there..its now habit that i check it endlessly..cleaning it off all the time.....i do know that these bearings are not high speed bearings....and greasing them to purge sounds rediculous unless your in the habit of riding down dusty roads every day and in through the rain as a norm..as long as you know you have a touch of grease in there is all you need....sounds like a little " CYA " from harley on the grease til purge method....
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
...and greasing them to purge sounds rediculous unless your in the habit of riding down dusty roads every day and in through the rain as a norm..as long as you know you have a touch of grease in there is all you need....sounds like a little " CYA " from harley on the grease til purge method....
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caperss396
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Dec 9, 2006 11:59 AM
