Removing outer primary cover
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Joined: Aug 2016
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From: Texas
Removing outer primary cover
Ok, so I'm not much of a mechanic. I get most of my work done at my local Indy garage. However, since there is what appears to be only removing bolts and putting them back in and a few other small details involved, I'm pretty sure I can do this. Want to take the chrome cover off and have it powder coated. My question is this. Is there much more to it than removing and putting it back on? Are there any gaskets that have to be replaced? What about for the derby cover cause it has to come off as well. Will removing the cover cause a leak from the primary oil? Is this something that needs to be put back on fairly soon after removing due to leak issues? Any adjustments have to be made internally if you remove it? Sorry for all of the ignorant questions, just never done this before. Pretty much, if changing out a part just involves turning a wrench or socket, I try to do it. If it is very involved at all, I take it to my local garage for their expertise. Just too much riding on this bike and it functioning correctly for me to go and screw something up cause I don't know what I'm doing.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
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From: Centennial, CO
Get your gaskets from Harley, I've had supposedly "better" gaskets from other companys leak. Use a quality Torx screwdriver or socket on the derby cover screws. You may want to measure primary chain slack, even if you have an automatic adjuster. Use a torque wrench for reinstalling the outer cover screws. Some do some don't use one, but since you say you don't wrench much, I suggest it.
Edit: Do you have a service manual? If not, get one.
Edit: Do you have a service manual? If not, get one.
Last edited by QC; Oct 20, 2016 at 08:05 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2016
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From: Texas
QC covered most of it
Few things I'll add
Have a drain pan and shop towels on hand - no matter how much oil you drain out - there still a lot remaining which will come out once the cover removed
Reinstall *tighten* the primary bolts is a certain order (basically inside bolts to outside bolts) - start midway and work to rear..., then from mid way work toward front - tightening the top bolt - then bottom bolt..., back to the next top bolt..., then next bottom bolt
You have forward or mid controls - forwards you won't need to mess with / mids you'll need to remove the shift lever - and replace the seal when reinstalling the primary
Derby cover / gasket - no big deal - just take the top screw out last so the cover doesn't inadvertently slip down and scratch something
Personally - I do not like HD gaskets - poor quality and too expensive
Ghost
Few things I'll add
Have a drain pan and shop towels on hand - no matter how much oil you drain out - there still a lot remaining which will come out once the cover removed
Reinstall *tighten* the primary bolts is a certain order (basically inside bolts to outside bolts) - start midway and work to rear..., then from mid way work toward front - tightening the top bolt - then bottom bolt..., back to the next top bolt..., then next bottom bolt
You have forward or mid controls - forwards you won't need to mess with / mids you'll need to remove the shift lever - and replace the seal when reinstalling the primary
Derby cover / gasket - no big deal - just take the top screw out last so the cover doesn't inadvertently slip down and scratch something
Personally - I do not like HD gaskets - poor quality and too expensive
Ghost
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,629
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From: East Hartford, CT
https://www.amazon.com/James-Gasket-...dson+dyna+fxdb
For me getting a gasket that you can reuse is the way to go.
No leaks here.
You never know how many times you need to go back in.
Paper is good once.
For me getting a gasket that you can reuse is the way to go.
No leaks here.
You never know how many times you need to go back in.
Paper is good once.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,390
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From: SW OREGON
Your 04 super glide have forwards or mids? Get a service manual first..... its a must.
Replace the gasket and torque the bolts do in the specific order and torque. Take 45 minutes or less. I used the cometic gasket for the primary.
Good idea to use an old box to draw an outline of the cover and make holes for the bolts. Add the boltsvto the box holes in the order they came off.
Derby is easy as well. T27 torx bit an rooer torque in crisscross pattern (star). Easier if the larg composite gasket is used vs the rubber ring.
Not a hard job.... JUST TAKE YOUR TIME AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS.
There's this video but, the guy didn't torque screws on in the right order... watch for a general idea, not the process.
Replace the gasket and torque the bolts do in the specific order and torque. Take 45 minutes or less. I used the cometic gasket for the primary.
Good idea to use an old box to draw an outline of the cover and make holes for the bolts. Add the boltsvto the box holes in the order they came off.
Derby is easy as well. T27 torx bit an rooer torque in crisscross pattern (star). Easier if the larg composite gasket is used vs the rubber ring.
Not a hard job.... JUST TAKE YOUR TIME AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS.
There's this video but, the guy didn't torque screws on in the right order... watch for a general idea, not the process.
Last edited by cvaria; Oct 21, 2016 at 06:43 AM.
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According to the OP:
Want to take the chrome cover off and have it powder coated
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Joined: Aug 2016
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From: Texas
Really appreciate all the replies and useful information. I do have the service manual and will be following it to a T. Great idea about the order of removing and reinstalling the screws. I don't have a torque wrench so I will be picking one of these up tomorrow. I know that the more I work on this bike, the more comfortable I will be and confident in the future for other repair/upgrade work.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,629
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From: East Hartford, CT
Pick up some blue loctite.
If I remember right all my screws were the same length.
Clean off the old loctite before reassembly.
small wire brush works.
I even retapped the holes to clean them out then shot in some cleaner and blew them all out. I believe they are 1/4-20.
just a drop of the blue is all you need.
If I remember right all my screws were the same length.
Clean off the old loctite before reassembly.
small wire brush works.
I even retapped the holes to clean them out then shot in some cleaner and blew them all out. I believe they are 1/4-20.
just a drop of the blue is all you need.