Black Engine Covers on Red Swithcback
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Springfield, TN
Black Engine Covers on Red Swithcback
So awhile back Forum Member "bl dg" asked if anyone was interested in swapping the black primary, cams, and transmission cover from his Wide Glide with the PolishBd Aluminum one on a Switchback. I was looking to do this change so I took him up on the offer.
I received the parts from him on Friday and put them on my bike and have sent mine to him. Here are some pictures of how it looks - it's not completely done yet. I'm in the process of gutting my headpipe so the exhaust is not back on the bike yet.
I received the parts from him on Friday and put them on my bike and have sent mine to him. Here are some pictures of how it looks - it's not completely done yet. I'm in the process of gutting my headpipe so the exhaust is not back on the bike yet.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,218
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From: Yakima WA
Nice look, when I put the 120R in my 06 Street Bob I spent the extra money to replace the chrome cam chest cover with a wrinkle black on like came stock. I prefer the look you are going for to the chromed out version myself.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 636
Likes: 1
if you changed them yourself what obsticals did you encounter,was it a easy job or complicated,how about fluid loss,gasket replacement
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This is a super simple job, especially with forward controls. Just unbolt old, bolt on new, replace gaskets for sure, and top off fluid. You will of course lose all primary fluid, minimal trans fluid, and a bit of engine oil out of the cam chest.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 104
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From: Springfield, TN
It was pretty easy overall. On a Switchback you have to remove the exhaust side floorboard and the rear mounting bracket for it in order to get the exhaust hangar bracket bolt out...This is where I encountered my biggest problem. Both bolts that bolt into the frame were extremely difficult to get out. I stripped the head of one of them and had to pound the next size up torx bit into it to get it out. I'm replacing these bolts with allen heads.
The only other semi-difficult thing I encountered was when working on getting the transmission cover disassembled. The C-Clip that holds in the plate and ball bearings that your clutch cable engages / disengages is pretty large. I had a tough time compressing the clip with my little snap ring pliers - it kept slipping out.
I put my bike on a jack and leaned it far toward the exhaust side and I lost very little primary fluid when removing that cover...but it ended up being a wasted effort because I decided to change all of the fluids anyways (I had 3k miles since the last oil change so said why the hell not).
As far as the gaskets go I disagree with the statement that you should replace them for sure. I think this depends on miles and condition. I have 4k miles on my bike and mine were in perfect condition. I replaced the Cam Cover and Transmission Cover one since they were less than $10 ... I returned the $30+ primary gasket and reused the old one.
Other than that just torque your cover bolts up to the right spec and in the right sequence and you should have no problems.
I think I'm pretty mechanically savy - on a scale of 1 -10 I would say this was a 3 or 4 (10 being most difficult)
The only other semi-difficult thing I encountered was when working on getting the transmission cover disassembled. The C-Clip that holds in the plate and ball bearings that your clutch cable engages / disengages is pretty large. I had a tough time compressing the clip with my little snap ring pliers - it kept slipping out.
I put my bike on a jack and leaned it far toward the exhaust side and I lost very little primary fluid when removing that cover...but it ended up being a wasted effort because I decided to change all of the fluids anyways (I had 3k miles since the last oil change so said why the hell not).
As far as the gaskets go I disagree with the statement that you should replace them for sure. I think this depends on miles and condition. I have 4k miles on my bike and mine were in perfect condition. I replaced the Cam Cover and Transmission Cover one since they were less than $10 ... I returned the $30+ primary gasket and reused the old one.
Other than that just torque your cover bolts up to the right spec and in the right sequence and you should have no problems.
I think I'm pretty mechanically savy - on a scale of 1 -10 I would say this was a 3 or 4 (10 being most difficult)
