How to remove plastic frame plugs?
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Road Master
Joined: May 2007
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From: Houston, TX
How to remove plastic frame plugs?
I am trying to install an exhaust bracket and I can't get a grip on the plastic frame plugs to unscrew them. Is there an easy trick for this or do I need to just drill them out or something?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 3,621
From: SE NC
RE: How to remove plastic frame plugs?
not sure exactley which nes you're talkin' about, but when I ut on highway pegs on my super glide I just used a screwdriver to pry them out. Worked on those ones. Good luck
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Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,127
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
RE: How to remove plastic frame plugs?
They are the ones on the frame by the bottom of the swingarm, several inches directly below the passenger pegs. The don't just pop out like some of the other ones I have removed. They are screwed in. I tried to get a screwdriver under them and pry the top up a little for something to grab, but couldn't get anything under them.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,127
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
RE: How to remove plastic frame plugs?
Maybe I can find a screw to usewith reversed threading? They don't just pull out. The actual plug itself is supposed to be threaded in, so it has to be turned out just like a screw.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 7
From: Outside of Philly
RE: How to remove plastic frame plugs?
I used a screwdriver to pry (bend)the top out enough to grab with a pair of pliers and then turned it out using the pliers.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,719
Likes: 60
From: Los Angeles
Found a good way to do this that won't damage your frame even if you try. Helps if you happen to play guitar.
Use a few guitar picks to separate plug from frame a hair, then a guitar string that is wound (I used a D) to wrap around the slightly exposed shaft of the plug. You can get like three wraps around it no problem. Then take the loose ends of the guitar string in the nose of a regular pair of pliers, and pull. Make sure you hold the bike when you do this cuz you do have to give a good yank your direction.
Should come right out. But..
If the plastic top of a plug comes off, but not the plug itself, you'll see that the shaft trapped inside the frame hole has a open hex, or X, shape to it. Use the guitar string to thread into one opening in the hex facing you, then thread from the backside into the opposite opening of the hex.
The ends of the guitar string will once again be pointing toward you, use the nose of pliers again and pull. (Again hold the bike).
Remaining plastic plug will come right out.
Use a few guitar picks to separate plug from frame a hair, then a guitar string that is wound (I used a D) to wrap around the slightly exposed shaft of the plug. You can get like three wraps around it no problem. Then take the loose ends of the guitar string in the nose of a regular pair of pliers, and pull. Make sure you hold the bike when you do this cuz you do have to give a good yank your direction.
Should come right out. But..
If the plastic top of a plug comes off, but not the plug itself, you'll see that the shaft trapped inside the frame hole has a open hex, or X, shape to it. Use the guitar string to thread into one opening in the hex facing you, then thread from the backside into the opposite opening of the hex.
The ends of the guitar string will once again be pointing toward you, use the nose of pliers again and pull. (Again hold the bike).
Remaining plastic plug will come right out.
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