I have to replace the rocker cover gaskets on my 99 Sportster and the manual says that I will have to remove the engine in order to replace the gaskets. Is this really necessary or has anyone done this without going through all that. Thanks.

 

Dont' know about the 99, but I recently changed them off my 2008 and the only things I had to remove were the fuel tank and the air cleaner.

 

James- No need to pull the engine!
One thing, if you are doing the rear.... it can be a little tricky to get it out from under the backbone. Here is my plan of attack: I put my hands flat under the cover(top of 3), and vibrate it with quickly with my middle fingers ( up and down ) until it works it's way out. If ya try and force it, you run the chance of bending it. It will come.... just be patient.
Also, I believe you need to grind down a allen wrench to fit...
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+1. You do NOT need to pull the engine, and you'll need some patients on pulling the rear rocker cover.

 

Thanks so much for the advice. I will sure give it a try.

 

There is no need to grind a wrench down. It only comes out one way with the tank on. With the tank off, it wil come right out. Take your time and watch the top center gasket as you are sliding the top rear cove on.

 

I just did mine on my 98 and the front is easy, the back however I had to take the push rods out to get the cover to slide out. They pull right out and they are marked so remember where each goes other wise you will be searching the manual to put them back in. After you pull the rods it should slide right out the carb side of the bike. They were easy after that.

 

Wood is right, should have been more specific....
the "altering wrench" thing only came into play if removing the bottom rocker base. You will know the troubled child when you see it. It is RIGHT under the back bone. Though, if you have a extensive tool set, maybe y'all got one that'll work. I look for a holy sacrifice and toss it on the "grinder alter". :-)

 

I wish the original owner of my 99 would have asked this question...

The rear is a tight fit to get to but it can be done. However, my idiot Previous Owner decided that it was too hard and instead drilled two holes in the frame to get an extension through!!!!! Didn't see them when I bought the bike (tank and seat covered them up) and when I finally found them I wondered why they were there until I did my 1200 swap and, having changed the front stock rocker box gasket because it was leaking, found the rear one had already been changed.

So it was pretty easy for me but I had a built in "cheat". Without that, a really low profile socket and wratcheting wrench will do the trick in getting those two hard to reach bolts out...(they're the two under the backbone, obviously)