I tired removing the stock Harley bags from my 1200 sportster, and the bolts farther away from the rear wheel get caught on the wheel. does anyone have any advice on how to remove without damaging bolt/ wheel? thanks

 

Get shorter bolts or insert washers as thick as the bag mounts were.

 

i have the correct new bolts, my issue is the old ones will not come out without taking the rear tire off or figuring out a different method..

 

You need to remove the bolts from the bottom of the shocks while you use a floor jack to raise the rear of the bike enough for the bolts to clear the tire.

 

^^^^^This.

 

Or the top shock bolts

 

Difficult to get to the top shock bolts with bags installed.

 

Not on my bike and I have Harley bags. I took the top bolts loose when I installed the bags.

 

I just took off my Express Rider bags yesterday. I had to get in from behind with a torx wrench to stop the rearward bolts from spinning. Needed to raise the bike for clearance for my arm between the tire and fender. I could loosen the nuts in the bag, just couldn't get them all the way off.

I wonder if the OP got it done.

 

Jack up the bike so the rear shocks are extended enough for the bolts to clear, or have a friend grab the rear of the bike (by the frame, NOT by the fender) and lift while you slide the bolts out.