Harley Davidson "Steering Head Fall Away Test" (and Adjustment)
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- Опубликовано: 3 фев 2020
- How To Check & Adjust your Steering Head Bearing Fall Away.
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A guru that makes the vid about the subject at hand, not themselves, with smooth, factual dialogue, and pro-grade camera work (editing as well, transitions are perfectly timed to the next logical step in the sequence as led by the dialogue) A Guru for other gurus in how to produce
content as a whole, thankfully with expertise relative to Harley's! The only thing missing? A youtube link service that lets me see other gurus with the same production values as rated by users but in different areas of unrelated expertise. Would love this guy showing me how to run a three way light switch or landscape sprinkler system. Harley's will do though, yes indeed.
In the garage doing this right now. Its like having Del hear telling me what to do. Thanks Del.
Most welcome buddy, hope it goes well for you!
Thanks for the great video. I found there are a few videos on youtube saying basically the same thing. BUT you said everything in a more understandable and well spoken way. You also not just spoke about all the points but also showed them as talked about it step by step. I really appreciate that as one of the most frustrating thing is when people are talking about something and giving directions but dont actually show it. Great job!
First video I have seen that I actually liked no music no bullshit no corny stories you are excellent to watch and listen to the upmost respect for you sir👍
Agreed. a guru that makes the vid about the subject at hand, not themselves, with smooth, factual dialogue, and pro-grade camera work (editing as well, transitions are perfectly timed to the next logical step in the sequence as led by the dialogue) A Guru for other gurus in how to produce
content as a whole, thankfully with expertise relative to Harley's! The only thing missing? A youtube link service that lets me see other gurus with the same production values as rated by users but in different areas of unrelated expertise. Would love this guy showing me how to run a three way light switch or landscape sprinkler system. Harley's will do though, yes indeed.
haven't adjusted my fall away for quite some time, used your video as a reminder / ref, im a mechanic with 37 yrs experience and still learning, great video Dell nice one just the right amount of info well presented, nice job .
Most welcome Mark, glad it helped you mate... great to hear from another mechanic..!
When I drank it didn't take an inch for me to fall away from the bar. My bearings have always been a bit on the loose side. Thanks for the video.
I am not a Harley guy and I still enjoyed this very much. Thanks Team DBG!
Hi, greetings from northern Finland! We've got around half meter snow here at the moment, so it is a good time to do some maintenance to bike before the riding season. Thank you for this video, absolutely excellent tutorial to steering head adjustment!
Best explanation on this procedure I've seen so far! Thank you very much!
Nice tip Del - thank you for sharing!
Another great video, many thanks. I have been wondering about this on my 2010 SG.
Awesome tip del. Always great to get that extra knowledge 👍🏻😎
Thank you for sharing, nice video 👍
Have to agree with everyone else here: Best description, and best illustration along with the accent that makes it the best.
Thank you James, you are too kind Sir.
Another great video thanks for all your advise and tips.
Thanks, very useful. Even aa motorcyclist and custom bike builder for over 30 years I’d never come across this test before. To be honest, I couldn’t make head nor tail of what was required from the Clymer Manual for my Dyna!
As for this being a reason for Harley Servicing being so expensive, that’s guilding the lilly a bit. It only took me 30 mins to change the bearings. A lot quicker than most bikes as the bottom bearing knocks off the yoke no bother.
Best video on this subject. Short, informative and to the point! Thank you
Most welcome mate, glad it helped you!
As always good video👍
Dude! You make everything you do look easy!
well its not a difficult task.. hes just well organized and a smooth video editor
Great informative video now I can adjust mine and hopefully get rid of the nasty wobble that my bike has started to have
Same issue here at about 80+ mph and it’s scary
Excellent video brother , easy to understand and concise.
Glad it was helpful!
been watching you since i got my first harley in 2015 (09 xl1200c), still learning from you in 2021 haha
Awesome check and properly adjustment
Never knew or ever did that test on my HD. So valuable tip and vid. Thanks muchly. I never stop learning something from you. Also good to break up vids as this one from the other fabrication, keeps the interest up. Cheers.
Thanks Volvi, good to hear form you mate, This one is part of your service procedure, and great for keeping the bike steering smoothly... have good week mate and keep in touch.. Del.
Thanks for your videos!
Great vid! Liked and subbed.
Thanks for the sub!
Thank you for the video. Clear precise instructions make it look easy. GF got a Dyna which are notorious for failing the fall-away. I guess I'll see if it's as easy as you made it look. Thanks again.
I'll post a short video of the wobble the Dyna has and explain what's causing it and link to your video. Might help some brothers out.
Good to hear from you brother, and I'm happy to hear that your GF owns a Dyna, that's how it should be "ride beside, not sit behind"... give the technique a try, it's just a simple method to set your head stock bearing tension and it's laid down exactly this way in the factory service manual... good luck with it, take care and ride safe, Del
@@Moonfleet41 Will be doing it tomorrow early. 105° today. Sat in the AC working on the video.
Very well explained ✌🏼
Great Video Del 👏👏👌🏻👍
Thanks again Del , I,m about to fit a springer to my evo so this video is very helpful . Cheers from down under Australia mate
Hey mate... that's gonna look absolutely killer.. there is nothing more cool than a Springer front end.. Good luck with it mate, have fun and enjoy the process.
Yet again a well prepared and presented biker vital video nice one del keep it coming ......
Most welcome Mark, appreciate your kind words mate.
Great video and explanation, gonna go check mine tomorrow.
Thanks and Good luck!
Cables makes a difference!
RevBiker Big D: The test not only assures bearing adjustment, but it also identifies any cable binding, so better to check it with all cables connected, because if you take them all off, do the test, it turns out fine, reconnect the cables and you could return a resistance that you haven't checked is there... certainly if you do find a discrepancy as I did, then check the bearings first, and if it persists, THEN check cables... only things like StreetGlides with heavy fairings need furniture removed first.
@@Moonfleet41 ''furniture''! Ha! Love it.
Depending on model, the Harley service manual may indeed call for disconnecting certain cables prior to the test.
Well explained. Well demonstrated. Excellent video in all regards.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it!
Life saving knowledge del thank you again for a great video mine have just gone in today to replace them was definitely a scary wobble at 90 plus 😵
Glad it helped buddy, and it will feel good to have that peace of mind!
Damn same exact thing here!
Nice bit of information that was bud
Good to see you back on that bike again Del 👍
what is your profile picture? A harley VW with a sweet ass hangin out of it?
Great little maintenance video Del. Sad the Harley is going mate, but you can always get another one later. Penny and you have a safe week. Cheers
Yes indeed mate, sad to sell the Harley, i fully intended to keep it, but we're just working people, not a company with a budget... so the finished bikes usually have to go to fund the next adventure..!
Good vid brother well done
Thank you kind Sir, basic stuff and all part of the service schedule right!
Thank you sir! My wide glide is getting a speed wobble in the handle bars after 80+ mph, and I’m going to check this!
Ok, check also the tyre wear, tyre pressure, and possibly wheel balancing. all of those can lead to instability.
What a great video thank you!
You are so welcome!
So simple when explained properly ..👌👌
Thanks a lot 😊
Nothing hidden, like other Harley channels, and ez pz. Thank you sir.
No problem 👍
Thanks, never know this was a thing.
Aye, every day's a school day eh Del. Sad to see this one go. Awrabesht to you both from me and all the clan bro. L&H. 😉💙🏴👍
Thanks Al, good to hear from you brother, hope you and the clan are all doing well, say Hi to everyone for us, D&Px
Great lesson!!! 😀👍
Thanks! 😃
Hey man! Great video. If I don’t have a front fender can I just use my tire?
Yes, absolutely, just a fixed point of reference !
Thanks Del for that great tip. Yea I need to invest in a service manual for my Heritage.
You won't regret it buddy.
Great video. Can you go over how to replace the head bearings?
Thanks, that was relatively easy.
You're welcome!
Thank you for this. My 2011 WideGlide has a weaving ( not wobble) problem at highway speeds. I believe that this is my problem.
That is a fair assumption, good luck with sourcing it my friend.
Thank you!
Hi Del the Dyna ? Wow that’s a great bike , especially with the cam chain done and all the new bits 😂
Yes indeed mate, don't want to let it go, but it opens the door to the next chapter!
Hey Del great video. I have about 1 inch lesser dropping when i push the wheel towards right side. And i adjusteted by tapping the adjuster ring and followed all your steps. And i've managed to create an equal falling on the both sides. But now the headbearings are very loose. When i tighten them. The dropping test will not be accurate. And another thing is that when i've slowly moves my handle when motorcycle is in center stand i'm feeling a biting sensation from the headbearing when pulling the handle towards left. Changed the headbearings last week from a service center and i'm also facing an issue that motorcycle is pulling towards left when no hands are in the handle. Before 1 week there was no problem. While riding I put my right finger on the hand grip and whenever i removes the right finger from my handlegrip motorcycle pulls towards left. Like countersteering. Is it because of bearings? The service center guys not properly done the job? I've tried the fork alignment method of yours. The CPR type method 😁 but still facing left leaning issue. Back wheel alignment is correct.
Firstly, is this a Harley Davidson?...because the fall away test is a Harley Davidson service schedule.? and are you maybe riding on a cambered road, the bike will always drop downwards towards the curb on the left.?try riding in a totally flat road with zero camber and see it is tracks straight, or even on a right camber to see if it tracks right... and make sure your front tyre pressure is correct, soft tyres will pull down into corners..!!
@@Moonfleet41 Hey thanks for the reply 💕 it's a Yamaha. Small displacement motorcycle. Yamaha MT15. Yeah i will try it on a flat surface road. I will check the tyre pressure too. I will report back 💕
@@storymaker_____ OK, you most welcome, Good luck with it.
I love that Wide Glide 😍
Can you make a video for a 2005 softail deluxe on how to adjust steering head. Thanks
first let me thank you for the nice T-shirt you sent me. I wore it to biketoberfest in Daytona this past week🙂
out riding my 99 fatboy today I noticed that if I let go of my handlebars around 30mph the front end starts to vibrate. I'm going to have the fork bearing checked despite the bike only has 7500 miles, but it is an 99 and things get old. I also hear a loud knock when I come to a stop. I'll check my front caliper to make sure the bolts aren't loose.
With such low mileage, yet being 24yrs old, has anyone replaced the front tyre? A badly worn, or out dated tyre, can cause steering vibration, perhaps check the date on it, and that it's wearing evenly plus of course, check inflation is correct. Always start with the simple things! Other than that, good luck with it, and hope you can get it fixed... Thanks for buying the t-shirt, and for supporting the Channel.
Good vid mate,would Triumph need a similar test?
Check the service schedule for the bike and it'll tell you quite clearly if you need to do it... with Harleys it's in the service schedule!
Hi mate, I don't have a harley but I like all bikes and that bike of yours looks mint, you can't sell that del.. Great test every day's a school day.. Cheers del👍👍🏍️
Thanks mate, I don't want to sell it, it's cost me way more than it's worth, but when t goes, it funds the next adventure!
How critical is the tolerance on the fall away on a motorcycle, in general?
It's not critical, just important that there's no binding and that the steering isn't snagging up on anything, and also that there's no freeplay in the bearings when you wriggle the forks about.
The HD is looking good there Del,nice vid of how to do the " fallaway", stored the video in the Softail Service folder,hi to.PP x👍😎
Thanks Geoff... give it a try mate, you never know if it may be slightly out of spec like mine was... feels a lot better on the road now too mate
@@Moonfleet41 thanks bud
nice and easy
Well done video. I’ve been chasing a clunk noise over bumps, more noticeable when front braking. That’s what led me to your vid.
Anyway, I found it odd that after few thousand miles you had to make a more loose adjustment. ???
One would think after wear you would have to tighten the adjuster ring. ??
Well no, it shouldn't tighten up Doug.. like you say, if anything loosen off.. So perhaps it'd pay to strip and inspect the bearings to see if everything is ok and safe, maybe just replace them for good measure.. I presume they've been lubricated on the service schedule on time..?
@@Moonfleet41 Thanks for reply. I say odd since wear items usually need tightened. I did read my service manual and to adjust the bearing on 2012 Glide is almost as much time as replacing them. And I've found one of those "retired" techs who does great work at a very fair price.
And yes, service schedule gets followed...most of the time. 😒
hi
about to do this on my 2010 iron but can't find the size if the torx tool for the screw? is it a t55 or a t60?
Its the one that fits i believe
I still get overwhelmed with my motorcycle. Video saved! I wonder if we have this for Bonnevilles? Dang it!
Great walkthrough video, Brother Del! I don't know if you can, but a walkthrough for accessing the pinch bolts for fall away adjustments on a Fat Boy would be amazing; as well as horizontal and vertical wheel alignment on a Softail!
Hi Clint... if you invest in a proper Harley service manual, then the exact location and access for the pinch bolts will be laid out clearly mate... probably with pictures. but if you don't have one, take a sneaky look under the bottom yoke, and you'll see the fasteners right there mate.. and ive done wheel alignment videos for Harleys several times mate, the principles are all the same, just the anatomy can be a bit different.
@@Moonfleet41 Ok thanks!
Always check after doing up the top but as in most cases it adds a bit more tension. No that anyone does but to get it spot on remove the throttle and clutch able as they give a false reading when testing
Great vid with yet another good maintenance item for me to try to master on my Fatboy, Del! What exactly takes it out of “true”?
Cheers! 🏍👍🏍
Hi Gary, wear and tear will keep your bearings constantly changing, the grease dries out over time, which is why it needs re-packing every 20k... like all moving parts, they suffer with wear.
Delboy's Garage ok thx, Del... I was incorrectly thinking maybe jarring potholes were the primary cause. 😎
Sweet🤘
So what makes it go out of spec? How does adding miles make the steering harder?
Over miles and time the bearings can dry out (which is why they must be re-packed at 20k miles...
@@Moonfleet41 thanks for the response, that makes sense
Trying to get my head around this one. Surely the bearings should loosen-off over time, not tighten-up.
It's possible I nipped this a little when I installed them, and bearings also dry out over time, which is why the service schedule insists they are opened and re-pack every 20k miles.
Benfatto! Sarebbe interessante vedere come allineare il motore al telaio 😜
Is the front tire Touching the ground during this test?
All clearly explained in the video 1:04. !
well thats simple enough m8 do like the little tips and tricks videos del save us a fortune fella atb iain
Cheers Iain, Thats why we do them mate, save our fellow riders a few bob if we can..
Never heard of this adjustement, is it just for harley?
Not sure about other bikes, but it is a specified service procedure within the Harley Davidson service schedule as laid on in the service book!
Del what small lift is that you are using there mate?
Here you go, it's one of these mate.. www.spanner-monkey.co.uk/scissor-stand-for-motorcycles-450kg-115618?search=MC5908&description=true
@@Moonfleet41 Cheers Del.
Could you do these incredibly well done and valuable tutorials in an American accent like the rest of the Harley vids on RUclips?
In exchange for a Green Card... Deal.!
This is probably a daft question but it seems counter intuitive to me that correct adjustment of the taper bearings involves backing them off as I would normally expect them to be slack with wear and need nipping up! I’ve never owned a Harley but are other bikes the same?
Don't shoot the messenger buddy, All of this is a bonafide, part of the Harley Davidson Service Schedule, laid out in detail on the service manual. The test is not specifically for tightness only, you're looking for any irregularity, notchy action, excess freeplay, as well as binding.
Bearings dry out over time Peter, there is no water tight seal at top or bottom to prevent the water and weather from eventually gumming up the bearings, it's doesn't exactly pour in.. but over 5k miles in any weather, even just damp and dust will cause a bearing to stiffen up... this is also why the service schedule dictates that you open up the bearing assembly and repack them with fresh grease every 20k miles.. some models have a grease nipple in the head stock so don't need to be opened, just re-greased. but later ones don't..
@@Moonfleet41 thanks, this was no critisim, I have very little knowledge and was just surprised. My education continues into old age 😊
Thanks for the great vodeos.
@@peterthomas7203 No, of course not Peter, many people question the out moded practices still in play on Harley Davidson bikes.. much of what they still practice today has been out of use for decades on Japanese bikes, Harley Davidson are a law unto themselves when it comes to technology, but sadly, if its there, then it still needs to be done i guess.. Have a good week mate and thank you for your support.. Del.
Don’t you think the reason it failed the fall away test might be because the grease has deteriorated and it needs regreasing.
Undoing the headstock to makes no real sense as it doesn’t tighten itself under daily use.
So what else changes . . .
They were probably a little over tight from when i installed the new bearings..
my road king 30000 miles guess I need to sort that out, My mates sportster was not serviced for about 25years, he de-sided to get it services, it never ran right again, ""Not even an oil change"
These how-to, maintenance videos are always my favorites....great stuff, Dell! Cheers!
Thank you Allen, good to hear from you as always my friend, hope life is good, and winter is turning to spring for you now..! take care and have a great week.. D&Pxx
Not saying you’re wrong exactly, but on some models (specifically my ‘99 FXDX and probably others in the FXD family) the lower triple clamp must be released BEFORE doing the test. Can you please inform your fans about this too please?
This has been another community service announcement from Manbulance. (And it’s also why getting mechanics to do work that they have been trained in is safer if you don’t know what your doing).
I’d forgotten how cool that Harley turned out. And I’m not even a Harley guy! Go figure...
Thanks mate, You're very kind..
What a difference .
Hey Alfie, hope you've had a good weekend mate..
It was great to see this wonderfully made motorcycle again! The tip I find very useful!
Learn something new every day- cheers Del.
(P) Easy stuff, I made sure mine was good on the T140V after fitting new taper rollers. 👍🏻
Thanks mate, good to see you at the weekend, hugs to the family, D&Px
I've learned so much from your videos Del, every egg a bird! Tell me, can this method be used in principle for other makes of bike other than Harley Davidson's?
In principle I guess so mate, provided you have the same confirguration of bearing set up and adjuster, but as far as I know, only Harley have it in their service schedule every 5k miles.
Is that just a Harley thing or should every bike be tested??? Regards to you both.
Hi Richard.. it's certainly made clear and concise in the service schedule in the factory HD manuals, and in practice i usually find i adjust (rather than just check) every time i do it... not sure about other bikes.. haven't checked their sertvice specs.. but naturally all steering head bearings need to be correctly adjusted.
Gutted your selling this amazing bike :-(
Me too mate, but the only way to fund the projects!
Did I miss something? I didn’t see anything about selling the Harley! If I had the money to buy another one and have it shipped across the pond I would buy it but sadly I don’t.
@@Moonfleet41 shame its going but good luck with sale mate
Interesting, wondered about this bike.
Handy tip.
You didn't take off clutch cable or throttle/idle cables which gives you a truer reading.
Nice, but if you had greased the bearings first, your adjustment might have been less or even not needed at all. Mine needed tightening after greasing, which would make sense.
Re-packing the bearings is 20k miles, I still have 10 to go before that's due...
Delboy's Garage, I have a softail which has a grease point on the frame halfway between the bearings. I can push the grease trough the bearings and clean off the excess.
Thanks for the reply, keep the vid’s coming please ! Good luck. Regards, Walter.
@@walterv7851 Aha, the venerable grease nipple in the head tube.. why oh why didn't Harley fit them in all the bikes... the next time i replace the bearings on this bike ill fit a drill and tap a grease nipple in either side of the tube..
I'm I'm not mistaken to get an accurate measurement on a single disc front break you should remove the disc and caliper.
Incorrect mate, you do not remove the disc or calipers for a fall away test, it makes no difference to the adjustment, but do it whatever way works for you.
Man I put my deluxe up on my jack today and my shit slammed to the left 😳 I think I just need to take it to the dealer and have new bearings in it.
Worn bearings will cause a notch in the centre, not a drop to the left... try taking off all the cables and wiring so the bars are naked and then try again...
great video. I have a softail myself although due to unemployment, its been off the bloody road for the last year with no sign that its going to change any day soon.cheers del.
Sorry to hear that mate, life can be cruel sometimes, hope you can get sorted, all the best, Del
cheers, pal.
I definately learned something new today. Thanks brother 👍🏻☮❤
Cheers me duck, bless them Harleys aye, they always go the long way round!
@@Moonfleet41 apparently the electric ones go the wrong way up with a team of vehicles carrying batteries behind ..doh !!
look forward to seeing how much "reality they show in that tv series" 👍🏻☮❤
Love that Harley! 👍
Thanks Harold, always good to hear from you!
I did the fall test and it fell off ' I think its fucked ??
Cables matter, check your manual!