1.20STEERING HEAD BEARINGS
ADJUSTMENT
TOOL NAMEPART NUMBER
HUBCAP REMOVER AND INSTALLERHD-41494
Bearing Adjustment (Fall Away)
1. Support motorcycle in an upright position so the front end
is completely suspended and the vehicle is level.
2. Remove all accessory weight, such as a windshield, that
may influence the way the front end swings. If clutch cable
is routed so it pulls the front end one way or the other,
disconnect it.
3. Place a suitable marking material, such as masking tape,
over the fender tip.
4. Install a pointer so the base is stationary on the floor and
the pointer indicates the center of the fender. The front
end should be straight ahead, however the balance point
may be slightly off center.
5. Check steering head bearing tension.
a. Tap the fender on one side until the front end begins
to "fall-away" by itself. Label this point on the marking
material.
b. Repeat the previous step in the other direction.
c. Measure distance between marks.
6. The distance between the "fall-away" marks must be 2.0-
4.0 in (50.8-101.6 mm).
NOTES
• If distance measured is 2.0-4.0 in. (50.8-101.6 mm) no
bearing adjustment is needed.
• If distance measured is outside the range given, bearing
adjustment is needed.
7. See Figure 1-45. With HUBCAP REMOVER AND
INSTALLER (Part No. HD-41494) unscrew and remove
stem cap (3).
8. Loosen fork stem nut (5).
9. Loosen lower triple clamp pinch bolts.
1. Star nut
2. Upper triple clamp
3. Stem cap
4. Hardened flat washer
5. Stem nut
6. Pinch bolt (2)
Figure 1-45. Steering Head Components
10. Tighten or loosen the star nut (1) until the measurement
is within limits.
a. If the distance is more than 4.0 in. (101.6 mm), turn
the adjuster nut counter clockwise to loosen.
b. If the distance is less than 2.0 in. (50.8 mm), turn the
adjuster nut clockwise to tighten.
11. Remove the stem nut and lightly lubricate the threads with
anti-seize lubricant.
12. Install stem nut and tighten to 70-80 ft-lbs (95-108.5 Nm).
13. Check fall-away. If it is 2.0-4.0 in. (50.8-101.6 mm), tighten
lower triple clamp pinch bolts to 30-35 ft-lbs (40.7-47.5
Nm).
14. Repeat the "fall-away" procedure to be sure the adjustment
is correct.
15. Install and adjust clutch cable.
16. Test ride motorcycle.
LUBRICATION
Use SPECIAL PURPOSE GREASE (Part No. 99857-97) every
30,000 mile (48,280 km) service interval. For steering head
bearing lubrication, see 2.18 STEERING HEAD.
2008 Dyna Service: Maintenance 1-41
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