Steering head grease
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 545
Likes: 5
From: California
Steering head grease
So, last week I finally got around to checking the grease in the steering head. I have the service manual and read up on checking it. I turned the handelbars to the right stop as per the instructions. Found the grease zert. Attached the grease gun tube to the zert and started pumping in the grease.
The instructions say that grease should be pumped in until it starts to flow from the top and bottom of the head. I pumped in about 1/3 of a tube with no evidence that the head was filled up.
Am I just filling up the frame? Or, should I figure that the factory or dealership simply did not put grease in the head when assembled? Should I continue filling up the head until grease appears as per the service manual?
And, does anyone know when the head should have been greased? During assembly at the dealership? Or, at the factory?
The instructions say that grease should be pumped in until it starts to flow from the top and bottom of the head. I pumped in about 1/3 of a tube with no evidence that the head was filled up.
Am I just filling up the frame? Or, should I figure that the factory or dealership simply did not put grease in the head when assembled? Should I continue filling up the head until grease appears as per the service manual?
And, does anyone know when the head should have been greased? During assembly at the dealership? Or, at the factory?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,816
Likes: 2
From: New Hampshire
Took about 1/2 if not 3/4 of a tube of Lucas Red & Tacky #2 before it started to ooze out a bit per the instructions. I had my 1K service and they didn't touch it at all...there must have been a tiny bit in there from the factory because some light colored grease oozed out with the red
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 631
From: NorCal Rocklin
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 688
Likes: 2
From: Central Texas
If you use the grease that Harley uses be ready for it to run down your forks for a while specially when its hot outside, I said something about it at my last service and they switched to the heavier red tacky grease, just sayin.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 525
Likes: 2
From: Ottawa, Canada, summer, Daytona Beach Florida, winter
Yup mine was all but dry, took at least 1/2 tube, I had and used green waterproof wheel bearing grease because that is what I had.
I now give the fitting a pump or two every oil change, whip up any major overflow.
Seems to work.
I now give the fitting a pump or two every oil change, whip up any major overflow.
Seems to work.