Derby Cover Hole Alignment
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 3
From: Oklahoma City, OK
Derby Cover Hole Alignment
I picked up one of the Black Fin Harley derby and timer cover sets this week. Well, when I went to put on the derby cover last night I had a really tough time aligning the holes. The one that seemed most out of alignment was the one in the 2 oclock position. I think maybe that is the #3 hole in the diagram on the pattern to tighten the bolts.
I also strangely found that when I removed the derby cover completely and tried to screw the bolt in that it was difficult to get all the way in. Im not sure if that was a product of it trying to go in crooked because the alignment was off to begin with or what. I dont think so, because it would go in pretty far before it resisted and I never got it in very far on my first attempt. I ended up putting the #3 in second to make sure it would line up and the rest went in without much complaint. I dont think that #3 really let me tighten it up all the way, but I was afraid to torque on it any harder. It was way more of a hassle than I had anticipated.
I should mention that Im the dumbass that let his brand new Street Bob go over in the driveway on my third day that I had it. I found last night that it actually scraped up in the derby cover and the bottom of the primary case under the derby cover too. Do you think that may have screwed up the alignment of one of the holes?
I thought about taking the derby cover back and telling them that the holes on it were off, but after thinking about it I cant imagine that being the case. I mean these things must come off the same cast or whatever one after another. Has anyone ever experienced a brand new derby cover actually having the holes out of alignment? I read on here about people torquing the bolts wrong and that causing misalignment, but this was a brand new derby cover.
Sorry so long .thanks if you know anything!
I also strangely found that when I removed the derby cover completely and tried to screw the bolt in that it was difficult to get all the way in. Im not sure if that was a product of it trying to go in crooked because the alignment was off to begin with or what. I dont think so, because it would go in pretty far before it resisted and I never got it in very far on my first attempt. I ended up putting the #3 in second to make sure it would line up and the rest went in without much complaint. I dont think that #3 really let me tighten it up all the way, but I was afraid to torque on it any harder. It was way more of a hassle than I had anticipated.
I should mention that Im the dumbass that let his brand new Street Bob go over in the driveway on my third day that I had it. I found last night that it actually scraped up in the derby cover and the bottom of the primary case under the derby cover too. Do you think that may have screwed up the alignment of one of the holes?
I thought about taking the derby cover back and telling them that the holes on it were off, but after thinking about it I cant imagine that being the case. I mean these things must come off the same cast or whatever one after another. Has anyone ever experienced a brand new derby cover actually having the holes out of alignment? I read on here about people torquing the bolts wrong and that causing misalignment, but this was a brand new derby cover.
Sorry so long .thanks if you know anything!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
do you think the difficulty may have been in the screws having the loctite on them. some screws have a loctite compound on them(dry stuff on the threads unsure of the correct term). they often make the screws difficult to get in and out without more than expected resistance. My cover fit on perfectly fwiw.
careful tightening those bolts, they DO break! the derby cover should line up perfect! if not that is the wrong cover, may be a sporty cover you have there... to get the old bolts out, take a punch, give it a pop in the middle of each screw, then jsut unscrew it... that is all.
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 3
From: Oklahoma City, OK
Yeah, I planned on running it like it is and see if it leaks. I doubt it will.
I don’t think there was any loctite on those bolts. I had a headlamp on that illuminated the bolts and holes pretty well and I didn’t see any obstruction in the holes either. Odd.
I actually pulled the stock derby off the night before last when I purchased the new derby cover and realized that I didn’t have the necessary gasket. I put the stocker back on and had no problems with alignment or resistance to the bolts fully screwing in.
The only issue I can see is having to service the primary/clutch (I’m guessing the BT’s have the same sort of clutch adjustment as Sportsters)…..
I don’t think there was any loctite on those bolts. I had a headlamp on that illuminated the bolts and holes pretty well and I didn’t see any obstruction in the holes either. Odd.
I actually pulled the stock derby off the night before last when I purchased the new derby cover and realized that I didn’t have the necessary gasket. I put the stocker back on and had no problems with alignment or resistance to the bolts fully screwing in.
The only issue I can see is having to service the primary/clutch (I’m guessing the BT’s have the same sort of clutch adjustment as Sportsters)…..
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 3
From: Oklahoma City, OK
careful tightening those bolts, they DO break! the derby cover should line up perfect! if not that is the wrong cover, may be a sporty cover you have there... to get the old bolts out, take a punch, give it a pop in the middle of each screw, then jsut unscrew it... that is all.
I just looked at my pictures of my old Sporty and those have SIX holes. It has to be the right model of derby ..I just think its slightly off somehow. Clueless how that could happen.
"Moderator"
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,640
Likes: 952
From: San Tan Valley, Arizona
I had no problems changing mine out. everything lined up perfectly. Maybe yours was a slight defect or something.
Trending Topics
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 3
From: Clarksburg, PA
Did you put all the bolts in, and then tighten them down or did you put one in, tighten it, then put the next in and tighten it?
You wouldn't want to tighten any of them down until every bolt was started.
You wouldn't want to tighten any of them down until every bolt was started.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
Yeah, I planned on running it like it is and see if it leaks. I doubt it will.
I dont think there was any loctite on those bolts. I had a headlamp on that illuminated the bolts and holes pretty well and I didnt see any obstruction in the holes either. Odd.
I actually pulled the stock derby off the night before last when I purchased the new derby cover and realized that I didnt have the necessary gasket. I put the stocker back on and had no problems with alignment or resistance to the bolts fully screwing in.
The only issue I can see is having to service the primary/clutch (Im guessing the BTs have the same sort of clutch adjustment as Sportsters) ..
I dont think there was any loctite on those bolts. I had a headlamp on that illuminated the bolts and holes pretty well and I didnt see any obstruction in the holes either. Odd.
I actually pulled the stock derby off the night before last when I purchased the new derby cover and realized that I didnt have the necessary gasket. I put the stocker back on and had no problems with alignment or resistance to the bolts fully screwing in.
The only issue I can see is having to service the primary/clutch (Im guessing the BTs have the same sort of clutch adjustment as Sportsters) ..
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
