I bought the HD fwd control kit when I got my bike a few weeks ago, 2011 FXDC. Reading thru the info that came with the kit indicates having to remove the primary to do the install. So somebody must of come up with a way to install this without having to rip the whole primary apart. It'll save me about $250 if anybody has some info.

 

I think that's to remove the original shifter shaft. Some people just cap it and move on, but the dealers recommend removal. I'd like to know a definitive answer on this too.

 

I capped it and then pinned the inside link. No matter what you have to cap the hole. Then if you ever want to go back to mids you can.

 

Why did you feel that you 'have to cap the hole'? It for sure looks better capped. But you dont' have to.

 

I'll share a first hand experience, and you might want to read this.

Keep in mind my bike had an inspection plate where the mid controls came through the outer primary cover (for adjusting chain tension - pre 06). The newer Dynas do not have this removable plate, just a hole in the primary.

I changed to forward controls, removed the plate with the hole and bought a solid chrome plate (hole delete), about $35 as I recall (years ago). That's one difference since HD decided to get rid of the inspection plate (dumb *** / cheap *** idea). Now you have to buy a whole new primary cover (but thats not all, read on). And why do they still have the indent in the primary cover one might ask... ? ... but I digress.

Even if you buy a solid (holeless word?) outer primary cover, and remove the mid control shaft, you will still have the hole in the inner primary case to address.

There are a number of cheap solutions for the inner primary, one being a freeze plug if you're very cheap. Just don't install it inside the inner primary. Install any plug you may use from outside (backside) of the inner primary which means you have to pull the inner primary to fit it. There are far better mechanics than I to address this point, but again, read on what not to do.

Take my advice on this, don't chimp out. I did. My "plug" idea came out after a couple years, roughly 10,000mi later and 60 miles from nowhere. When the plug came loose the primary chain didn't appreciate it much atol and spit itself (the whole damn chain) out through the bottom of the primary case in about .25/second at 60mph.

Scaring the hell out of me notwithstanding at the same moment I discovered the bike doesn't "move" so well without a primary chain ( motor was running just fine though... lol ) and moments later after collecting myself and wondering what the f**k on the side of the road I noticed a fluid trail a couple hundred feet behind me and discovered the primary case (and missing chain - never to be found) will never work again with a 3" ghastly hole through the bottom of it.

There's alway a plus side I suppose, and after that I installed a BDM 3" belt drive and never looked back.

:-)

 

Looks is the only reason. Keeps people from asking whats missing.