Triple Tree Bearing Replacement

[K9husker]

Everyone:
I have a 2006 K9 with 13,000 miles on it and have had minimal quality or maintenance issues. I noticed a couple of days ago that when i sat on the bike and turned the handle bars from right to left and left to right that i would feel a small "pop" in the bars. Call the dealer and he said that a person needs to change the triple tree bearings in the frame neck every 10,000-15,000 miles. He also made a point to say to be sure to change your fork oil every 5,000 miles. Make sure to use 20 or 30 weight syn fork oil. Do not use H.D. 10 weight!

Just a heads up...
Randy

 

[Raywood]

Think if you look up maintenance it states bearing and forks every 10,000 miles.

Besides you should be checking the tension. You can adjust by removing the plug screw, loosening the lock screw to the tension stated in the manual and you are golden.

Good luck,
Ray

 

[Fibersnake]

On my O & M manual, it says to Inspect, Repack and adjust steering head bearings at 10,000 miles.

Just had mine check at the 10000 mark and it was fine, dealer just repacked and adjusted, had them check it again a couple of weeks ago when I had front seals replace and it was at 15,000 range, still no issues but they did pull them and repacked. Original bearings still good.

Your may be bad but it will not always be required to replace if they are regular inspected, repacked and adjusted.

That said the bearings are realtively cheap and it will not hurt to have them changed, especially since even the labor to check and repack is not that far removed from changing them out.

 

[Fibersnake]

Sul I agree and mine are still original. But if one wants to change them out, they are cheap. Biggest thing is regular maintenance and checks and like you said check and grease the weezer.

Oh pass on Happy BD to the family this weekend.

 

[dogvet]

On Choppers and K-9's it's been my experience that the bearings and races haven't been in the best of condition at 10,000 miles. the Lithium complex based grease that BDM uses breaks down (ever see the oily film that seems to accumulate around the lower tree and neck?) this grease even breaks down in the container!

The grease isn't exactly water proof either. The upper bearing seems to get the most abuse.

Replace the bearings and races if any water marks or pitting are present, use an aluminum complex grease (Bel Ray is a good one, but any good aluminum complex grease will do). When asembling the front end, set your free play (fall away) at about 2 inches. With the amount of loading on the neck bearings due to the long front ends, bearing life will be improved.:up:

 

[Raywood]

When asembling the front end, set your free play (fall away) at about 1 inch. With the amount of loading on the neck bearings due to the long front ends, bearing life will be improved.:up:

This is what I need to do with mine cause it's loose as a goose!

 

[dogvet]

This is what I need to do with mine cause it's loose as a goose!

Hey Ray,
Set the fall away at two inches. I had my head up my butt and couldn't reach my coffee when I posted this. 1 inch will be a bit loose!:zzsorry:

 

[Raywood]

Hey Ray,
Set the fall away at two inches. I had my head up my butt and couldn't reach my coffee when I posted this. 1 inch will be a bit loose!:zzsorry:

Hey dogvet, can you explain this to me. I put the bike on a lift and adjust the tension till the forks are tight enough to prevent flopping over of the front end right?
But where do I measure the 2 inches from.

Thanks,
Ray

 

[dogvet]

Hey dogvet, can you explain this to me. I put the bike on a lift and adjust the tension till the forks are tight enough to prevent flopping over of the front end right?
But where do I measure the 2 inches from.

Thanks,
Ray

First create a fixed pointer (like a plumb bob or hang a nut on a piece of string right above the tip of your front fender.

With the front forks centered, place a piece of tape on the tip of the front fender.

Gently tap the front end to the left or right until it flops over. At the point it first starts to flop, make a mark on the tape.

Repeat this in the opposite direction. The distance between the two marks should be between 1-2 inches. Iv'e found that on the longer front ends, 2 inches seems better.

Tightening the bearing preload will increase the distance the font end moves before it flops and loosening the preload will reduce the distance before it falls.

A loose front end can result in a high speed wobble and too tight and the bike will tend to wander as it is going down the road.

Keep in mind, the fall away will not be centered due to the weight of the brake caliper and rotor on the left side of the front end.

 

[Whistler]

Thanks for the good info.

 

[Raywood]

Thanks man, will do this once I get my dog home. It felt really loose on my trip across country but I also think it could be attributed to the big load I had on the back!

Thanks again,

 

[Gas Man]

When I did my rebuild I tried to make sure these bearings were all set for more miles...

Cleaned up the races like so

And of coarse I greased the bearings with Mobil 1 grease. Good stuff!

Right? Wrong? POV I suppose or maybe time will tell.

The bearings were in good shape and spun nicely. Grease them and they spun very well.

 

[dogvet]

When I did my rebuild I tried to make sure these bearings were all set for more miles...

Cleaned up the races like so

And of coarse I greased the bearings with Mobil 1 grease. Good stuff!

Right? Wrong? POV I suppose or maybe time will tell.

The bearings were in good shape and spun nicely. Grease them and they spun very well.

I think you've got it! Just make sure that you set the fall away with the front end complete with all of the sheet metal, wheel and all of the other stuff.

Somwetimes, the clutch cable can influence the apparent fall away, If you think it is having an influence on the adjustment, just remove the cable from the housing....a bit of a pain, but not as much as replacing bearings!!!:2thumbs:

 

[Gas Man]

Good call. I may have to check that this week. THANKS again for all your insight... its good to have guys like you around!

 

[BigDogBro1]

I want to check and adjust the fall away on the front forks.

Is the large 1 1/4" cover with the hex socket head on the bottom of the lower tree unscrew to access something other inside to set the bearing tightness?

Anyone...

Thanks!