Steering bearings
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 14
From: washington dc
This winter I'm adding CCE top triple tree and springs, etc., so I'll have the front of my 09 SG apart. Good time to change bearings. You folks believers in the Timken sealed bearings? http://www.jpcycles.com/product/230-411. I think as a general rule sealed are better.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,905
Likes: 2,506
This winter I'm adding CCE top triple tree and springs, etc., so I'll have the front of my 09 SG apart. Good time to change bearings. You folks believers in the Timken sealed bearings? http://www.jpcycles.com/product/230-411. I think as a general rule sealed are better.
http://www.grainger.com/product/WEST...TC7?s_pp=false
Same way I did the bearings on my Sportster. Which brings up another point. The MOCO didn't put grease fittings on XL's, did they? Insert this needle between all the rollers, and inject grease until it comes out. To hard to pack this type of bearing by hand since the seal is made onto the bearing.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
Me too, a little forethought is warranted before arbitrarily breaking out the grease gun.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,543
Likes: 59
From: Chicagoland
Only you said it was greasless. I stated that I packed them, with good hi temp grease, before I installed the sealed bearings. And being that no grease has ever dripped out of my steering neck since then, I think it's safe to say that they are still packed with grease. And since my fall away is still as smooth as silk, I'm not worried about anything when it comes to my steering.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,198
Likes: 3,028
From: St.Louis Mo.
Yes that's a good product. I used it in mine. But after about 2 years, I have notices some weeping down the cowbell on the left side.
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.
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.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
you know....when the 2014 goes in for head bearing work, it is too easy to drill and tap, and isnert a Zerk fitting....
I didn't know Mobil1 made grease....
Thanks for all the info guys!
~Joe
I didn't know Mobil1 made grease....
Thanks for all the info guys!
~Joe
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,905
Likes: 2,506
http://www.jpcycles.com/product/230-411
are not a true sealed bearing. Why is everybody so hung up on calling this obviously NON sealed bearing, a sealed bearing?
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 414
Likes: 3
From: Southeast
You have to remember though, that these are not a true sealed bearing. They are sealed to the extent that since I greased and installed them, I haven't had to wipe any goo from the front of my bike. And in my case, how I actually packed them was with one of these....
http://www.grainger.com/product/WEST...TC7?s_pp=false
Same way I did the bearings on my Sportster. Which brings up another point. The MOCO didn't put grease fittings on XL's, did they? Insert this needle between all the rollers, and inject grease until it comes out. To hard to pack this type of bearing by hand since the seal is made onto the bearing.
http://www.grainger.com/product/WEST...TC7?s_pp=false
Same way I did the bearings on my Sportster. Which brings up another point. The MOCO didn't put grease fittings on XL's, did they? Insert this needle between all the rollers, and inject grease until it comes out. To hard to pack this type of bearing by hand since the seal is made onto the bearing.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 32,851
Likes: 17,886
From: Newcastle, OK
I wouldn`t put anymore grease in it until you determine if the bottom seal is still intact. You may have popped the seal already putting in 20 pumps, or the seal may already have been ruptured. By summertime you will find out if the grease stayed in there when the heat melts it enough to run out.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 32,851
Likes: 17,886
From: Newcastle, OK
That`s it! Personally, I don`t think it would EVER need to be regreased as long as it wasn`t exposed to a pressure washer. And the other more important thing to realize is that the bearing doesn`t move all that much in the first place. Probably amounts to 60* maximum of a full rotation, not like a spinning wheel. So, the bearing will have far less wear on it than something which rotates fully and at speed, like a wheel bearing or something in the engine or tranny.