2018+ Softail Models Breakout

Plastic Frame Plugs

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 16, 2020 | 06:52 PM
  #1  
P51Driver's Avatar
P51Driver
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 195
From: Ohio
Default Plastic Frame Plugs

Well I sit here with my new 2020 Heritage Classic and I am getting ready to install the engine guard I just picked up. But for the life of me I can't figure out how to get the little plastic frame hole plugs from the lower front frame holes without scratching the frame with a screw driver or something trying to pry the head of the plugs. What did you guys use or how did you remove these plugs without scratching the frame all to $hit?
 
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2020 | 07:00 PM
  #2  
joey3257's Avatar
joey3257
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 28
Likes: 14
From: UT
Default

Drill a small hole. Run a sheet metal or drywall screw into the hole, then yank the plug out with a pair of pliers.
 
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2020 | 07:01 PM
  #3  
luckiestiff's Avatar
luckiestiff
Road Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 727
From: South Austin Texas
Default

use the point of a knife, lift up one side carefully then snag it with needle nose pliers
 
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2020 | 07:22 PM
  #4  
470004's Avatar
470004
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 24,939
Likes: 19,406
From: New York
Default

Originally Posted by joey3257
Drill a small hole. Run a sheet metal or drywall screw into the hole, then yank the plug out with a pair of pliers.
That the method I also use.


 
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2020 | 07:53 PM
  #5  
iHodor's Avatar
iHodor
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,561
Likes: 443
From: PNW
Default

Poke it out from the other side if you can get something in there.
 
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2020 | 07:58 PM
  #6  
DonN's Avatar
DonN
Road Warrior
15 Year Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 210
From: Manila, Philippines
Default

I pulled one side out with vicegrips. Then realized they unscrewed. So but a short flathead on other side, tapped in to secure then unscrewed it.
 
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2020 | 08:43 PM
  #7  
P51Driver's Avatar
P51Driver
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 195
From: Ohio
Default

All good ideas. Now I am thinking a easy out would work as the plastic plug is in a threaded hole.
 
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2020 | 09:49 PM
  #8  
OldMike's Avatar
OldMike
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,641
Likes: 1,985
From: Cleveland Zoo
Default

Heat the tip of a screwdriver, insert into the plug and turn it out.
DO NOT PRY IT OUT AND SCRATCH YOUR NEW FRAME!
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 16, 2020 | 10:49 PM
  #9  
P51Driver's Avatar
P51Driver
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 195
From: Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by OldMike
Heat the tip of a screwdriver, insert into the plug and turn it out.
DO NOT PRY IT OUT AND SCRATCH YOUR NEW FRAME!
Wow you come up with some good ideas even in your old age.
 
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2020 | 12:57 AM
  #10  
FXLRyan's Avatar
FXLRyan
Tourer
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 294
Likes: 169
From: California
Default

Originally Posted by luckiestiff
use the point of a knife, lift up one side carefully then snag it with needle nose pliers
key word is careful. Did this for all of mine
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:31 AM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE