Hi,

I want to adjust my head bearings since I have 10K miles and can feel a slight knock on hard braking. Anyway, I looked at the service manual and there has to be a better way to determine if they need adjustment. Any tips or tricks? This swinging the handlebars back and forth seems like an absolute guess to determine adjustment.

Thanks!
Joe

 

Lot of video's on this. However there are a lot of differences on what you take loose and how you check it depending on your model. You need access to the exact year service manual for your bike. My 04 Softail adjustment is different on the FatBoy and way different on the Springier in 04 . Bet your knock is just your small rebound spring in your front fork and is normal

 

Thanks! I have the correct service manual. It could very well be the spring but I also get a little weave in fast sweepers. I have brand new tires so I was thinking it was the head bearings maybe needed an adjustment.

 

Hi,
You can lift the bike on a jack and while the front wheel still touches the ground you push and pull the bottom of front fork. We have "Timken" roller bearings on the Touring models so a snug fit will be preferable to a loose one.

 

Something else I came across a while back that specifically relates to having just had a tire change or the front wheel R/R for whatever reason:

apparently the axle might not seat just right and can cause issues.

I think the fix is something that is known in the motocross world, and basically you loosen the pinch bolts and axle torque, then lodge the front wheel against a curb, wheel chock...anything to keep it in place, even just the front brake, then compress the shocks a few times then hold em there and have someone set the axle and pinch bolts to proper torque.

Can't remember where I read it and am not positive that's exact, but I did it as I read it and it noticeably tightened up my front end.

 

The bearing adjustment is vague at best, I set mine the way I like it, a little resistance by trial & error, I don't like a loose feeling front end.