12” Gangsters

 

@Joshpboston i can send you a picture of the parts list from the instructions from the harley kit if you would like.

 

thanks frank - I think I’m ok as the Chinese kit came with the actual Harley instructions and parts list 🤣 go figure. I’ve been able to cross reference with HD parts successfully.

 

hey Sarge - hoping for an update on your primary and forward control install over the weekend - hope all went well (selfishly- because I’m right behind you for the same work !)

 

I was going to install the kit on Saturday but got distracted by a 2013 Breakout they had for sale at the dealership and well lets say momma wasn't thrilled when bike number 6 hit the garage.... Sunday I went out to the shop and got started on the left side. The goal for the swap was forward controls and black out the Primary, Cam and Trans covers along with the rocker covers on the top of the motor. I got the mids off fairly easily and had the primary off with no issue. Swapped over the vibration weight on the primary cover and filled and sealed the hole where the mid control shifter went thru the inner primary then installed the new black outer primary and filled it with oil.

Moved on to installing the ebay forwards and the first thing I noticed as stated was the missing O rings and nylon washers. Not a big deal I have a hardware store down the street that stocks all of this. I reused the mounting bolts from the mid controls on the new forwards. Installed the new shift rod on the transmission shifter linkage. Note, I purchased a new black contrast cut shifter link so I didn't use the one in the kit. I torqued the foot peg mount to spec and put on the stock foot peg for now. The new kit uses a allen head bolt and nylock washer in place of the pin and spring clip like the stock mids used to attach the foot peg.

The fit between the shifter arm and the mount bracket seems fine but without the O rings and nylon washers for spacing it will move around a lot. I am stopping by the hardware store at lunch to pick up what I need. This kit is about what I expected and have experienced installing aftermarket kits in the past. I have been working and building bikes for years so I just make do and move on. The fit and finish seem fine. The required parts are there and I have the experience to make it work. I saved $340.00 over the HD kit and didn't have to wait 9 weeks so I'm happy with it. Are there better kits out there sure, but for the price this will look and work fine. I will update again when I get over the the brake side of the bike.

 

hey Sarge, thanks for the notes on the shifter install, that’s gonna come in handy. Any update on the Brake side? The extra parts I ordered from Harley should be here today, (washers nuts etc) Very curious about your experience.

 

Sorry took me a few to finish this up as I got distracted buying new parts for the 2013 Breakout I just got. Wife isn't to thrilled but it does bring me to an even half dozen in the garage now....LOL

Anyway got the forwards on no huge issues. I did reuse the stock mounting bolts to put the main brackets on and luckily there is a old Ace Hardware that has been in town for 50 years so they have a huge stock of o rings and nylon bushings. Picked those up and some new covers for the Primary, Cam and Trans and it I think it came out quite well.... Here's a couple of pics, still need to do the rocker covers.....




As soon as I got done she went and bought the Empire Contrast Cut Pegs and Shifter ****....

 

My HD parts guy Kevin Weeks @ Hampton Roads Harley Davidson in Newport News Virginia. was able to find me a complete setup by sourcing the parts from dealers inventory back in May. On line said backorder till Aug. I had the parts in a week or less. I have the chrome/ polished forward controls. I just put them on this weekend, well worth the $$ spent and they were a lil pricy @ $500 n some change.

 

This set worked out fine and with the money I saved I pretty much paid for the black covers. I only went over budget when she got the 160.00 foot pegs and 40.00 shifter peg...LOL....

 

Hey Sarge, good to hear you got these on ok. I was able to use the same chinese kit plus a bunch of bolts and washers and such from HD to successfully install as well. Nice and snug. The Chinese brake mount is a tad smaller (width) than OEM, so the OEM insert didnt work, but they provided one that did.
They did a good job copying the OEM brake pedal - its as crappy as the OEM version I adjusted it back as far as possible for height - still too small of a pedal, and too close to the bike to get my leg comfortably around my air cleaner. (SS mini teardrop - looks like the same as yours).

I ended up picking up a used brake pedal from FallenCycle on ebay, and cut out the pivot insert and used the pivot insert from the chinese kit. Muuuuch better. sticks out a bit more from bike, the angle is slightly different, and the pedal is wider and angled so that I can actually apply the brakes cleanly and with force instead of scrunching up my toes, and turning in my ankle to press down. Picked this up on ebay for ~ $80.00 from FallenCycle "2021 Harley Softail M8 Chrome Rear Back Brake Pedal lever w/pad" OEM HD Part# 50600209 this one came off a 2021 Sport Glide FLSB. I've seen a few more on ebay. I used the mini thrasher floorboards with the peg mount - came out pretty good, I'll post some pics up when I get my bike back from Shop, having apes wired up.

Next up - replacing the primary cover with gloss black like yours. Your linkage looks pretty sweet.

BTW: I installed a 5G tank, and Im deleting the Softail standard LCD, and replacing with the 5" OEM speedo. Holding my breath right now on the wiring harness fitment and ECU compatibility - haven't come across anyone else who has done this. My shop should be able to flash the ECU to read the 5G tank vs 3.4, but there are alot of unknowns atm. Timed this with the wiring of my apes so that I could move over to *normal* risers and cover plate as the LCD mount uses a different bolt spread. So basically if the new speedo cant be configured to work - I have to leave the LCD on until I figure it out.