Anyone here adjust the steering neck bearings on a 2012 or recent FLTRX? I have done my 1k service with the exception of tightening the neck bearing. I have the service manuel and started to do this the other day just to get started and see where the manuel states you need to make a homemade tool to adjust the bearing (really?? homemade tool??). Then it shows where you need a special tool to align the ignition switch after removing it. Anyone done this that has any tips or tricks to make it a little easier?
You dont need any of that. Does make the job easier though.
The tool you have to make, i just use a long screw driver. I ground the tip a bit to make it work better, but not totally necessary.
As for the ignition tool, you dont need that at all. You can use a flat screw driver as well, but the proper tool make life really easy, and its good to have...
FYI, you don't need to go to the fork lock position to remove the switch. It can be done in the "ignition off" position also. This will allow you to swing the forks with out screwing around with special tools, screw drivers etc. If you don't move the switch internals it is much easier to reassemble.
2013 fltru owners manuel says to "lubricate" sterring head bearings at 1000 mile service. "Adjust" at 25000 mile service. Grease fitting on lower left side of frame neck.
Thank you for that. My 2012 manuel also says to lubricate at 1000 and adjust at 25000, but where it shows a picture of where the grease fitting is for the neck bearing, it also says how to check it. According to my 2012 service manuel for the FLTRX it says to lift the front of the bike off the ground and turn the handlebars all the way to one side and it should swing back a minimum of one swing to a maximum of two. Mine swings back and forth four times. It's loose. So you think I should go ahead and wait for 25000 anyway?
One thing you should try first is to grease the neck.
Dont just pump in a couple of squirts but keep pumping grease in until it purges out from the bottom bearing.
It could take 25-50 pumps to do this beacuse the factory only lubes the bearing and race and there is a cavity to fill because there is no grease in there.
After it's lubed,try the swingaway again and see if it's less.
One thing you should try first is to grease the neck.
Dont just pump in a couple of squirts but keep pumping grease in until it purges out from the bottom bearing.
It could take 25-50 pumps to do this beacuse the factory only lubes the bearing and race and there is a cavity to fill because there is no grease in there.
After it's lubed,try the swingaway again and see if it's less.
Suggest that before attempting to adjust the bearing is grease it thoroughly as RG50 mentioned.. It takes quite a bit of grease... you should see a big difference!
Actually my last question was a little cynical. I'll try greasing more. I pumped about ten pumps in it and didn't notice any difference, but I'll try until it comes out and see if that helps. That would be a lot less trouble if it does the trick. Thanks for the help.
Road Glides are known for loose neck bearings as delivered.My dealer snugged mine up a bit under warranty.I purchased it late fall and took it in the following spring.
I keep a tube of marine grease around for this job. It's about the nastiest, stickiest crap on earth but it doesn't seem to form as large a grease puddle in the bottom triple clamp.
I would grease the bearings first simply because the need it. It takes almost a full tube to fill the neck the first time it gets greased. I use the Harley stuff, it drips a bit when it's hot but not too bad. This is a high pressure area if you think about it. Mostly of the time you ride with the bars straight and then it's constant slight corrections. So the bearing work back and forth in one spot and I don't want to trust some other grease.
Then ride it a bit and I'm sure you will still need a bearing adjustment from what you're saying. Set it to what it says in the manual.
My 2010 RKC was loose when I bought it, the dealer had to adjust it at the 1000 and at about 2500, then they had it in for 5000 and it was loose again, later I was changing the oil and thought I would check it and the thing was loose again. I do have 18000 miles and it has stayed in adjustment. The manual states to lift the front end and the bike has to be level with the stock items as the factory sent it, the prosses is long the way the manual wants you to do it, first step grease it, you would have thought they did that at the factory, a spash is good for them.