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You have notched steering head bearings. When I bought mine, the bearings were so bad that the bike was unstable at low speeds. This is because, whether you notice it or not, you are making minute steering corrections constantly, and the effort needed to overcome the bearing problem makes the bike dart from one side to the other. It's not really noticeable at higher speeds, when the fork is pretty much locked in place by the speed and gyroscopic action. The front fender mount rivets were also loose.  I put in a set of all balls bearings and rode it 10,000 that year. The bearings were notched again and the rivets came loose...again The ride quality of the front end was very stiff, not at all compliant over bumps. I had just sold my TourGLide  after 200,000 miles and started to think I was expecting too much.  I spoke to the service manager at the Kaw dealer and he told me it needed to have new fork slider bushings....never in 45 years had I EVER needed to do that.....and the last 2 H-Ds I owned had an aggregate mileage of 450,000, all I ever did was change fork oil and put in progressive suspension springs. I took the fork apart and put in new bearings again (all balls warranteed the bearings, not the labor). I installed a grease fitting on the steering neck ( done this to all my H-Ds since the '70's), and progressive springs, and DEXRON auto trans fluid in the legs...(also been doing that forever). 22,000 miles this year and NOTHING WRONG...fender rivets are fine, the ride is quite nice, and the bearings are just fine. Just a thought, but the outer races are a bugger to get out without the CORRECT special tool, so maybe the dealer should do this job. It's not hard to do, but it is time intensive.  Replacing the fork oil requires the legs be off and drained through the top....unfortunately no drains like on other bikes...If you want more info, I'll gladly help you...my email is troll@charter.net

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Posted by Hot Rod Alley

- January 25, 2012, 11:58:50 AM

I'm new to riding a Drifter. Have a question. With the front end jacked up, the forks seem to have a "detent" position that they fall in to when straight ahead. I've never felt this on any other motorcycle I've ridden. Is this normal or a problem with the head bearings? Thanks for any help. I just bought the bike and trying to give it a thourough service. Thanks Bob

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