Harley Front End Removal

There are a number of reasons you may need to remove your Harley front end. The most common reason is to replace neck bearings and races, or to better service your bearings; especially if your Harley does not have a grease fitting on its neck. Other reasons are: replacing a bent front end, replacing a fork lock, installing an aftermarket front end, or a frame swap.

It is best to remove your Harley front end as a complete sub assembly. Make sure your brake line, clutch cable, and throttle cables have already been disconnected. Also, unplug your right and left side switch housing harnesses and anything else that may hold the front end to the frame.

Different year/models or accessories will vary so get a good look around. Once the Harley front end is loose from the frame you do not want to fumble with something small or delicate with one hand as you are handling the heavy front end and frame.

Make sure the front wheel is locked to the lift and that the frame is properly supported with a flat jack(s). There should not be any excessive pressure on, either the frame or the front end. Have these assemblies resting in their natural positions. Remove the top pinch bolt, the left and right fork tube caps, and the chrome stem bolt cover. Now you can carefully loosen and remove the top stem bolt. Now, hold pressure upward while you rock the top tree back and forth. After the top tree is removed and set aside, jack or lift the frame up and over the fork stem while your second set of hands holds onto the front end and secures it in a safe place.

Whether replacing a front end, or servicing/repairing your original assembly; be sure to replace or service your neck bearings and races. There is a considerable amount of labor covered to get to this point. Make sure that you service your way in and out of this repair. If your fork lock needs to be replaced, now is the time to do it. Address everything that you can on a labor intensive job such as this.

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