Did this ever happen to you ?
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 285
Likes: 1
From: Southern Illinois
Did this ever happen to you ?
Took my S/G to the dealer to get the first 1000 mile service. Couple of days later headed out of town, about 100 miles from home started seeing oil spots on the inner faring pulled over to check the bike and found oil streaking down the gas tank, and oil film over most of the front of the bike. First thought was I blew a fork seal. But I couldn't find enough oil on the fork for that to be it. Closer inspection I see a pile of grease forcing its way out of the bottom of the lower stem bearing, I'm talking a lot of grease and it was running all over the lower tree. Man I was pissed, but glad it wasn't a for seal. I couldn't help but wonder if they let the wash guy do the service on my bike. That was just about the most dumb *** rookie blunder I have seen. Especially since it was a new bike. Got back home and spent about an hour cleaning the grease out of the tree and off the bike , sure hope that is the end of the grease leak. You know a guy shouldn't have to worry about taking his bike back to the dealer for service. But I always do and they always scuff the paint.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,655
Likes: 9
From: Northwest Arkansas
My bike when it was new, started to look like it had oil running down the left fork. It was the grease from the neck liquefying as it was getting warm out. They fill it full from the factory.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 902
Likes: 6
From: STL
+2 . both my last 2 bikes did the same thing.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
The tech didnt do anything wrong other than use the Harley recommended Multipurpose Grease in the open ended neck bearing. That grease is commonly known to have a low melting point and therefore runs out of the bearing after the engine heat gets to it after a while. It will eventually stop. A seasoned tech might have used a Hi Temp grease. Personally I wouldt let it scare me from using them for service again after all its what the Moco tells them to use.
Damn. I'm taking my bike in next week for the 1k service and you guys are making nervous about doing it. I'd do it myself but I'm not too mechanically inclined.
Last edited by KSRoadKing; May 5, 2011 at 09:19 PM. Reason: typo
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 583
Likes: 2
From: Eaton, OH
The service manual for my bike said to pump the grease until it came out of both the top and bottom of the neck. That fills the neck cavity with grease and if the bearings in there are not sealed, should force the old grease out and fill them with fresh grease. The next time less pumps will be needed to force the grease out as the cavity will have already been filled.
I did this with my bike and as you noted, had grease leaking out for a while. As someone else mentioned, the grease suggested by Harley seems to liquefy and run more than it should.
The technician probably did what the factory service recommended, it just doesn't work as well as it should.
Next time I will use a different type/brand of grease.
I did this with my bike and as you noted, had grease leaking out for a while. As someone else mentioned, the grease suggested by Harley seems to liquefy and run more than it should.
The technician probably did what the factory service recommended, it just doesn't work as well as it should.
Next time I will use a different type/brand of grease.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 10
From: Mass
...that's ok...a few years ago in a town close to mine called Weymouth MA, a guy I know had his oil changed at a Speedy...the oil drain plug was never tightened...he got a couple miles down the road when the engine noise came on and then the motor cooked shortly after he pulled over.....
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 285
Likes: 1
From: Southern Illinois
I know you guys are probably right, and by the way thanks. MY road king has never done that, maybe they haven't been servicing it right. Perhaps I should ask them about that. This is the first out of six bike's that has done this. One would think there has to be a better way.
Guess my next question would be if I decide I just cant cope with this issue and want to change to a different grease will I have to force all of the old grease out, well that is if I ever get a 100,000 miles on it cause that should be about the next time it needs grease ? .......
Guess my next question would be if I decide I just cant cope with this issue and want to change to a different grease will I have to force all of the old grease out, well that is if I ever get a 100,000 miles on it cause that should be about the next time it needs grease ? .......