any known recalls on steering head bearings?

[BubbleHead]

I just noticed today that when sitting still and turning my handlebars from left to right or right to left that there is a tiny , for lack of a better description, rough silent clicking feeling . Not all the time, but it's there. It feels like it might be in the steering head bearings, upper or lower, not sure. The bolt on the bottom tree is tight. I checked that. When on a jack, the front end falls away ok. Just when it's bearing the weight of the bike , on the ground, I'm noticing this slight weird feeling. I just turned 14,000 miles on it today. No, I have never repacked the head bearings to this point. Can this make the front end ride rough on the road surface? Maybe cup or prematurely wear out my new front tire? I'd hate to have to tear the whole front end apart during riding season. Any help or suggestions is greatly appreciated.

 

[Fibersnake]

BigBlue,

Sounds like you need to have the steering head bearing checked, adjusted and repacked. It was a recommended 10k item at least on the 2005 models and I did have them do mine at that time.

Should not have to be tied up in the shop for a prolonged period of time nor a great cost. I can also be done yourself in a few hours and one or two cold ones.

I am pretty sure that GasMan did a write up and posted some pictures somewhere on here a little while back.

Good luck and if in doubt, check it out and do not risk having it fail on you.

Maybe time to go get the basic tools and torque wrenchs, some good grease if not already at hand, GasMan photo essay and the cool ones of your choice. Friday sounds like a good time to do so so that you can be ready to go for this weekend. Possibly consider going up and meeting the NJ and PA crew up at Rockstar Customs on Sunday (hint hint hint).

 

[BubbleHead]

Thanks Fiber, Sul. I suppose I better get to accomplishing that task soon.

 

[Fibersnake]

Well Ed are you going to get it done and share the road with me to Jersey sunday if I go? Got to bring Sul a good Cuban cigar and possibly see about getting a Curise mate installed and giving it a real world test on the long ride back.

Let me know if you are interested and how you make out on the head bearing.

 

[Gas Man]

Yeah not a bad job... just time consuming... check it out... obviously you don't have to do the forks but you get the idea.

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/how/2498-how-service-your-forks.html

 

[dogvet]

Your bearings and races need replaced. You'll probably find that the upper bearing has become pitted due to water getting into the bearing. The lithium complex grease that is used is not water proof. The long front end and rake of the fork neck increase the loads on the neck bearings and makes them susceptible to brinelling.

 

[BubbleHead]

DV, CAN THAT CAUSE EXSESSIVE FRONT TIRE WEAR OR A LOT OF "BOUNCE" TO THE FRONT END WHEN RIDING?

 

[woodbutcher]

bounce, i would think so, and the bounce would cause the bad tire wear just like bad shocks on a car. :2thumbs:

 

[dogvet]

DV, CAN THAT CAUSE EXSESSIVE FRONT TIRE WEAR OR A LOT OF "BOUNCE" TO THE FRONT END WHEN RIDING?

Tire wear (especially "cupping") is common on a 21" front wheel. Given the length and rake on the front forks, tire bounce due to fork flex is also not uncommon.

If you see polishing marks on the front side of your front forks, it could indicate bushing of lower fork wear. Although chopper style bikes are cool, increased rake and extended forks can result in accelerated wear of components that don't normally run in those conditions. As a mechanic, I'd personally recommend a shorter service interval on extended front ends (perhaps fork service every 5000 miles).

I would also recommend the use of H-D bushings and seals, they seem to hold up better than the overseas alternatives currently on the market (Softail bushings and seals fit right in BDM conventional front forks).
:2thumbs:
:2thumbs:

 

[Alicat]

I had my bearings replaced at the 10K mile service at the same time I had the front wheel bearings replaced.
I would feel a clicking feeling going over railroad tracks. It has made a world of difference (for the better) in the feeling of going over bumps....
Al

 

[bulla]

I own a 2004 BIG DOG Ridgeback. I just bought this bike and I'm the 2nd owner. I recently had an accident cuz the steering wheel freezed up. I was going about 55mph and notice the steering wheel freezed up and couldn't turn to the left nor the right, it was just stuck into a right position and therefore, ending up in a ditch. I just found a recall for "STEERING WHEEL & HANDLE BAR" on Motorcyclist.com. Waiting for a reply from them. Anybody had this problem? Or is this just wear & tear?

 

[Gas Man]

First you don't have a steering wheel. Just trying to point that out for ya.

And I don't think there is any recall on that. Plus you have a 2004. That was one of their best years.

How many miles you got on her? Probably just lack of preventable maintance.

 

[MARV]

I own a 2004 BIG DOG Ridgeback. I just bought this bike and I'm the 2nd owner. I recently had an accident cuz the steering wheel freezed up. I was going about 55mph and notice the steering wheel freezed up and couldn't turn to the left nor the right, it was just stuck into a right position and therefore, ending up in a ditch. I just found a recall for "STEERING WHEEL & HANDLE BAR" on Motorcyclist.com. Waiting for a reply from them. Anybody had this problem? Or is this just wear & tear?

lucky your not dead! would think fear would have been the motivation to straighten out whatever was holding it up.


i bet the internal stop got bound up. maybe the tab on the neck wore a burr in the groove of the stop? neck bolt loose?

either way you should remove the trees to see whats up and grease the bearings.

be sure to apply the parking brake first.

 

[ChuckRB05]

re

I had a clicking sound to.

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/technical/72-front-wheel-problems.html