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[Graham UK]

I picked up my Springer on March 7th, The Burnt Orange Colour.
After some 200 miles, grease was oozing from the bottom of the headstock. I pointed this out at first service 500 miles. Yup the headstock bearings have gone and need replacing?
Talking to A Harley Mechanic the other week, and he reckoned that it is normal to have to replace the headstock bearings every 5,000 or before, and that it is the price of having a Springer!
OK I have all the usual problems of grinding on bends, headstock bearings, and the scary front brake (I now use front and rear at all times) But I am going to change the front for an HHi if I can get it shipped from the USA?
I would not swap the Springer for anything. It is so pleasing to look at and ride. And I am constantly been asked "Can I Take a Photo"
One other thing: It will Out-Drag a sports bike in a straight line, well none have passed me yet!

"Take it Easy on the Bends, and Slam it Down the Straights" What an Awesome Machine! 

[BayouBiker]

Welcome to the site, Graham!


laissez les bon temps rouler - from Bourbon St, New Orleans!


Feel free to introduce yourself to everyonne here: http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?board=30.0

[Graham UK]

Thank you for The Welcome. I can see I am among Friends Here!

[AXIL]

graham welcome to the site.  springers are hard on the head bearings but i have to disagree with your mechanic. the bearings should be greased at set up and every service and will squeeze out of both bearings and the fork lock and probably just not wiped off.  thy should be adjusted a little tighter than the book says and thy will need adjusting at the first service.  I've never seen them go bad that quick but i guess there is a first time for every thing. nice ride by the way ,  hope you enjoy it.   axil  

[bossman]

graham welcome to the site.  springers are hard on the head bearings but i have to disagree with your mechanic. the bearings should be greased at set up and every service and will squeeze out of both bearings and the fork lock and probably just not wiped off.  thy should be adjusted a little tighter than the book says and thy will need adjusting at the first service.  I've never seen them go bad that quick but i guess there is a first time for every thing. nice ride by the way ,  hope you enjoy it.   axil  

Welcome to the site
 I have to agree with Axil on this. My 2003 Just rolled 19,000 mile this past week and it has the same bearings in it. They both ooze grease after service also. I Hope things work out for you because it's a great bike to ride and it turns the head's when people see them also.
Bossman

[SGUKFXSTSSE2]

Hi Graham,

Mine has done the same since new, the grease gets packed in tight so when you get them warm, or after use it comes out.

They shouldn't need replacing more than every 8-10K miles, if adjusted correctly.

Get yourself a service manual and check after every service!!

Simon

[BalDeagle]

Hi Graham and welcome to the CVO Forum.

Which part of the good old U of K are you from ??

Nige

[Graham UK]

Hi Graham and welcome to the CVO Forum.

Which part of the good old U of K are you from ??

Nige

Thank you all for the information. I will get the manual and check after servicing.
I live in North Wales!

[the barber]

welcome to the site! Everyone should have the same problem, the dealer told me the grease from factory is thinner than the one they use when they service your bike. therefore as you put some miles (service) on your bike it should almost stop.

[miker]

Heavier grease and proper torque....When I dis-assembled mine (after 70+ years) they were just worn enough to warrant changing...They should last longer the 5k miles

[Spanish Flyer]

Hi Graham,

I live in Northern Spain, have the 2008 CVO Springer and it does exactly the same thing your one does. It is just another one of those things  As long as the adjustment on the head bearings is correct, you should not have to worry about them for many thousands of miles to go. The design is crap because you have a greasing nipple in the middle and in order to reach the top conical bearing you must fill the whole thing! No wonder it spews down the bottom. The only thing holding the grease is a dust cover; there are no seals. As someone suggested it would be much better to use higher density grease; something like MOLYKOTE (with molybdenum) and if you are stripping the whole thing, just pack the bearings with that grease, don't fill the whole steering head with the grease nipple.