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Steering Head Adjustment

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Old Jul 22, 2013 | 01:43 PM
  #1  
Terrabella's Avatar
Terrabella
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Default Steering Head Adjustment

I read in one of the manuals that the most important maintenance item one can do is to check your steering head adjustment. Recently, I had my Indy change my fork oil. Also, I asked him to check various items i.e. engine mounts, belt tensions, cables, etc., as well as the steering head. Sure enough, it needed adjustment. I found after the adjustment that the bike did steer much better in curves as I had been feeling a bit of shacking in sweeping curves. Now, that minor shacking is gone completely. Just wanted to remind everyone to check that steering head adjustment. It may be something you don’t think about too often but is important to check. By the way, I often check the swing of the front end as outlined in the manual and always seemed to be correct but I was wrong...it needed maintenance.
 
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Old Jul 22, 2013 | 01:46 PM
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PWFD
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From: MKE, WI
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Seemed every RoadGlide I have owned the Steering Head required Adjustment on somewhat of a regular basis. Nice job pointing this out to everyone to check it.

Ride safe.

T
 
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Old Jul 22, 2013 | 01:48 PM
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what the hell is "shacking"??
 
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Old Jul 22, 2013 | 01:51 PM
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
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1.) the fall away spec for roadglides was updated a couple of years ago- make sure the current method is used

2.) most often wiring and clutch cable interfer with the fall away test and should be disconnected

mike
 
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Old Jul 22, 2013 | 02:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Ragtop
what the hell is "shacking"??
Shacking is a very common event on a motorcycle. It is the difference between the moment you feel the whole front end doing weird things and your eyeballs are all bugged out. Shaking is entirely different sensation. Extreme shacking is the latter end of shaking.
 
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Old Jul 22, 2013 | 02:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Ragtop
what the hell is "shacking"??

Ask your wife
 
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