I have a 1987 flhtc my question can u remove the rear head off while still in the frame or do u have to remove the engine

 

"I hear" you can do it.

 

I gotta chuckle everytime I see that pic.

 

It wasn't a lot of phun when I did it, but there was a Mexican food restaurant next to the motel, the machine shop was walking distance the other way and the dealer was about a mile away. I only lost about a day and a half.

 

I did my 88 flhtc. Had to cut down an allen key so it was short enough to deal with the rocker boxes. I didnt have any problems!
If it's real tight, you can drop your front motor mount & push the engine a lil forward.
Hatch.

 

Yep...you can do it...I did mine(98 Road King)

 

Sure can, rebuilt my 84 flhtc many times. U can do any motor work on the top end with it still in the bike. Jp cycles has a rocker box cover wrench flat enough to squeeze in there.

Jpcycles.com. part #910-879

 

If you pull the head do you also need to pull the cylinder and replace the base gasket? I have an issue with an oil leak and need to replace the rear head on my 1985 flhtc and wanted to know.

 

You can pull the head without pulling the cylinder but I would recommend pulling the cylinder and repla ing the base gasket and at the very least new rings.

 

You should replace the base gasket, some don't but the chances are better than 50/50 that it will leak sooner or later. What we do instead of cutting a wrench down is do a little measuring and drill a hole through the frame. This allows us to remove and insert the bolt, which allows us to remove the covers a lot easier.