... After reading the articles in this form I assumed it might be my steering head bearing. misaligned wheels swing arm bushings or bearings, swing arm bearing preload, worn defective shock, bent frame, rims. Harley Davidson Forums. Secure with adjusting nut (5). Why is adjustment needed if no issue? misaligned forks. Forums > Harley Davidson Motorcycles > Softail Models > Fatboy Steering Head Adjustment. You adjust the torque with a 6 inch 1/4 inch extension from the bottom after loosening a pinch bolt on top. Have Fatboy 2011. One thing that did surprise me was the head bearing grease. Maintenance schedule says every 10k miles to adjust and lubricate the steering head bearings . Install bearing (3) and lower dust shield (14) onto fork stem bracket (1) and insert into the frame steering head (2), then install the bearing (3), and upper dust shield (4). Please note this change is unique to 2009 models only and does not affect earlier model year vehicles. The M1246 bulliten refers to the adjustment of the steering head bearings. It would be better if they had a torque value so that the adjustment could be repeatable. forks. Just about 1/2 to 3/4 tube to get there. As always, check your shop manual for your bike’s torque specs and adjustment procedure, but … This problem is caused by a loose fit of the steering head bearings into their pressed in bearing race cones, if the play is not to severe you can tighten the nut at the top of the steering head shaft to eliminate the excess play, do not over tighten the nut, tighten it enough to just remove the excess free play, but leave a slight amount of play or you can damage the bearings. ironmark, Aug 8, 2010 #5. Bearing types There are four types of steering head bearings in widespread use. Tighten the adjusting nut until the bearings do not have any visible free-play, and the fork stem turns from side-to-side with some resistance. Here’s how you do it. Harley issued a service bulletin (M-1246) Purpose A revised procedure has been identified for adjusting steering head bearings on 2009 Touring model motorcycles. Loose, tight, or worn steering head bearings are going to impact your bike’s steering and handling, and NOT in a good way. Thankfully, checking and adjusting steering-head bearings is pretty easy. fork stiction. . Harley says " special purpose grease" Is it really special grease or just normal bearings grease? What grease is required? I have done both but can not see the actual adjuster nut itself. Thanks, It's unfortunate that Harley really doesn't address the adjustment of the steering head bearings in a more consistent way. The 2009 Touring Bike service manual says to "loosen the fork stem nut" and then to fashion a bearing adjustment tool from a 16" long piece of steel rod. Thankfully, checking and adjusting steering-head bearings is pretty easy. Bad, mismatched, improper tires, Wheel bearings, wheel bearing preload adjustment steering head bearings, steering head preload adjustment. Loose, tight, or worn steering-head bearings are going to impact your bike's handling—and not in a good way. With some exceptions, motorcycles built prior to 1979 will generally have loose ball-type bearings, while the bikes built after that generally use caged ball, sealed ball, or tapered roller bearings. When I had the front end apart I decided to see what it took to actually pump enough until grease comes out of the top bearing race (per Service Manual). All these years I've been giving the head bearing the cursory 3-4 squeezes of the gun. 2 11 0. Hodgewater New Member. Discussion in 'Softail Models' started by Hodgewater, Mar 5, 2010. Something I have not had a chance to look at, but I did a steering head bearing adjust on a 2015 Street Glide and the procedure is completely different then my previous older touring adjustments. 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