Harley Davidson (1970 to early 1978) Electra Glide FL/FLH-1200, Super Glide FX/FXE/FXS-1200. Service manual - page 4
If action of front forks remains unsatisfactory
after oil change, completely disassemble and inspect forks.
ADJUSTING STEERING DAMPER
Turn steering damper adjusting screw (26. Figure 2-36) clockwise to
apply dampening action and counterclockwise to reduce dampening action.
Apply steering damper only when operating under conditions where some
degree of dampening stabilizes steering. It is best to keep the damper
set a little snug when operating with a sidecar
ADJUSTING FRONT FORK TRAIL - ADJUSTABLE FORK (Figure 2-36)
To adjust fork trail for use with sidecar, turn off nut on bracket bolt
(35) Tap bolt head back far enough to pry out washer (36). Grasp fork
tubes and pull forward sharply. It may be necessary to loosen upper
bracket bolts (2) to move fork forward or backward. Revolve bracket bolt
washers 180 degrees until pin on washer is forward. Seat washer pin in
slot in bracket (22) boss Tap bracket bolt (35) into position and turn
on nut.
To adjust fork for solo riding, follow same procedure except push fork
tubes back and insert washer (36) so pins are rearward
REMOVING FORK SIDES (Figures 2-35 and 2-36)
If necessary repairs involve only fork sides, the entire fork need not
be disassembled.
To remove fork side, proceed as follows:
1. Remove the fairing, windshield, headlamp, headlamp housing, front
wheel, brake caliper assembly, and front fender
2. Loosen fork bracket clamping bolts (1). Remove fork upper bracket
bolt and oil seal or bolt and washer (2). Pull fork side out bottom of
lower fork bracket.
REMOVING FORK STEM AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY FROM STEERING HEAD
Non-Adjustable Fork (Figure 2-35)
Remove fork sides as described previously. Remove horn. Remove flasher
mounting hardware.
Bend tab on lockwasher (17) down and remove fork stem nut (18). Lift up
upper bracket (19) and handlebar assembly and set it aside. Use wrench.
Part No. 96219-50 to remove head bearing nut (20). Remove dust shield
(21). Pull lower fork bracket and stem (22) out bottom of frame steering
head. Remove bearing cones (23).
Adjustable Fork (Figure 2-36)
Remove fork sides as described previously. Remove horn. Remove flasher
mounting hardware.
Turn out steering damper adjusting screw (26) and lift out parts 27
through 34. Parts 30 and 34 may be loosened by inserting a screwdriver
tip between parts and prying upward.
REPAIRING STEERING HEAD AND BEARINGS
Each steering head bearing consists of two pieces, the bearing outer
race, and the roller bearing with inner race. The outer races are
pressed into the steering head cups in the
frame head. The lower roller bearing is assembled
over tne fork stem and the upper roller bearing is held in place on the
fork stem by the upper fork bracket and nut on the upper threaded end of
the fork stem
After fork is removed inspect bearings and races for pitting, roughness
or wear. Roughness of the roller bearings can be determined by rolling
the bearings on the bearing races by hand. If bearings or races require
replacement it is best to replace them in sets.
To replace bearing races, knock head cup from steering head using a
suitable drift. Press new bearing race in new head cup and then press
assembly into frame head.
DISASSEMBLING FORK SIDE - EARLY 1977 AND EARLIER (Figure 2-37)
Turn out two slider tube plugs (1) and invert sliders to drain out oil
and remove fork springs (2). Remove damper valve stud locknut (3) from
bottom of slider and pull slider tube (4) out of slider (5). Pinch out
snap ring (6) from lower end of slider tube and drop out damper tube
lower bushing (8). Discard gaskets (7 and 9). Slide out damper valve
assembly (10). Snap out spring ring (11), washer (12). felt washer (13)
and pry out oil seal (14).
DISASSEMBLING FORK SIDE - LATE 1977 AND LATER (Figure 2-35)
Remove fork tube cap (3). Remove 0-ring (4) from cap. Remove spring (5)
and drain oil from fork side. Remove screw (6) and washer (7). Shock
absorber tube (8) may now be pulled from fork side. Remove wear rings
(9) from slots in shock absorber tube. Remove spring (10) and sleeve
(11).
Separate fork tube (12) and fork slider (13) by pulling the two apart.
Remove seals (15) only if they are to be replaced. Remove lockring (14)
and then pry out seals (15). Discard the damaged seals. Remove washer
(16).
Thoroughly clean and inspect each part. If inspection shows that any
parts are bent, broken or damaged, those parts should either be replaced
or repaired.
Inspect seals (15) for wear If they were removed, they must be replaced.
Inspect wear rings (9) on damper tube (8) and replace if excessively
worn or damaged Replace springs (5 and 10) if broken or distorted.
Inspect small hole in groove in lower end of fork tube (12) and see that
it is not obstructed.
Make sure O-ring (4) is in good condition, without any irregularities.
and that it provides proper sealing when in place.
Check washer (7) to see that it provides a good seal when used with its
respective screw (6) to prevent oil leakage.
Repair bent or damaged fork tube (12) as described in "Straightening
Fork Tubes” later in this section.
FRONT FORK SLIDER BUSHINGS -EARLY 1977 AND EARLIER
NOTE
Late 1977 and later forks do not have removable bushings. If slider is
worn to excessive looseness on fork tube, slider must be replaced.
