Steering bearings
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 4
From: The Great River Road, Wisconsin
no one knows where it goes, but it is cheap insurance to do it.
The guys at my dealer told me they put damn near a full tube in my bike when they prepped it for me before I took her home in July.
almost at 3200 miles....problaby wouldn't hurt for me to grease it up just to be sure.
What's a good source for the boat grease that doesn't drip??
~Joe
The guys at my dealer told me they put damn near a full tube in my bike when they prepped it for me before I took her home in July.
almost at 3200 miles....problaby wouldn't hurt for me to grease it up just to be sure.
What's a good source for the boat grease that doesn't drip??
~Joe
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 413
Likes: 16
From: Killeen, Tx
Yep, exactly what I used. No drips in Texas heat.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 132
From: Deep South, Louisiana
It comes from the factory with only the bearings lubed. When you bring it in for the 1000 mile service they will fill the neck until it comes out. This is if they do it and if you bring it in. If not it will take almost 1 tube of grease to fill. Then only a pump or two after when ever you grease it. Now why should I have to keep putting grease you say. It is an open bearing. This means that road grime is getting into the grease. So when you put a few pumps the new grease will push out the old contaminated grease through the bearings taking most contaminates near the bearing with it. I use the Lucas Red and Tacky. It does not drip. Takes two minutes to fill the neck if it's never been done and 10 seconds to put a few pumps. Or if your to cheap to waste a whole tube of grease you can always spend the whole day tearing down the front end of your bike, pull the bearings, lube them by hand, replace, set the torque back on the stem correctly like it was before you took it apart. Then after you rest that night you can go ride tomorrow if you still in the mood to be around the bike you just stripped down yesterday. Grease is cheap and grease is your friend.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,543
Likes: 59
From: Chicagoland
All you guys who are having grease drip all over the place - you must be using the wrong grease.
And someone mentioned that these bearings don't spin at 1700 rpm - No, they certainly don't. But you leave it grease-less and it'll destroy itself faster than you think it will. Think about the next time you're cruising along at about 60 mph on a road with a few long, sweeping curves.
And someone mentioned that these bearings don't spin at 1700 rpm - No, they certainly don't. But you leave it grease-less and it'll destroy itself faster than you think it will. Think about the next time you're cruising along at about 60 mph on a road with a few long, sweeping curves.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,905
Likes: 2,506
All you guys who are having grease drip all over the place - you must be using the wrong grease.
And someone mentioned that these bearings don't spin at 1700 rpm - No, they certainly don't. But you leave it grease-less and it'll destroy itself faster than you think it will. Think about the next time you're cruising along at about 60 mph on a road with a few long, sweeping curves.
And someone mentioned that these bearings don't spin at 1700 rpm - No, they certainly don't. But you leave it grease-less and it'll destroy itself faster than you think it will. Think about the next time you're cruising along at about 60 mph on a road with a few long, sweeping curves.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,198
Likes: 3,028
From: St.Louis Mo.
i use the harley grease with very little drippings. plus as you are riding it's thin enuff to work it's way though the bearing as you hit bumps. like feeding it grease all the time. just wipe it off once in awhile. i've seen bearings with such heavy grease in them the bearing was running dry and the grease just kind of caked up around the outside if it. seen this in wheel bearing on cars and neck bearings on motorcycles. heavier is no always better when it comes to grease.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
I may try some of the marine grade grease and see if it does better. The red **** is a real mess when it comes out, and even just a little.
Sidenote...hd really puts money in their pockets by requiring a complete tear down of the 2014 steering head at 25,000 miles. That's bullshit.