Harley Davidson Instructions Suck!

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May 23, 2011 | 11:00 PM

#11

jlasoftail

Road Warrior

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 1,664

Likes: 99

From: P.E.I. Canada

Search the forum. I did a half-a$$ play by play with a few pics.

May 23, 2011 | 11:14 PM

#12

dickey

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 19,980

Likes: 6,107

From: Florida

Most instruction manuals today suck. They are all written in China & stuff gets lost in the translation. You should see the manual for my digital camera. I usually trashcan instructions & figure it out on my own.

May 23, 2011 | 11:29 PM

#13

_Andy_

Cruiser

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 129

Likes: 0

From: Ottawa, ON, Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by skratch

nope, you'd have to use a schematic for that (if you have one). they pretty much say, 'locate the brown wire with yellow stripe and tap into that' (the colors have been changed to protect the innocent. actually, i couldn't remember the color

)

But then you'd need someone that can actually read a wiring diagram. I work on commercial HVAC equipment and building automation so I spend a bit of time reading them so it's not bad to do but I've got 2 buddies that are mechanics and they look at a wiring diagram and you'd swear that they'd never seen one before

May 24, 2011 | 06:01 PM

#14

skratch

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 20,616

Likes: 4,440

From: anacoco, la

Quote:

Originally Posted by brenn

Actually, Harley has instructions, including PDFs online, for pretty much everything they sell. Contrary to what I expected, you can go to HD's site and download the instruction sheets to install hydraulic can chain tensioners, for example. I've always found them to be really good instructions but (a) I've never put a stereo on a Harley (and never will) and (b) you have to read really carefully, because there are often notes and sections of the instructions that only apply to specific models and years.

and yet no instructions online for this..... unless they are hidden somewhere else.

May 25, 2011 | 05:57 AM

#15

Thundermug

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 2,551

Likes: 22

From: Jacksonville Beach, FL.

I installed a Pyle cycle series amp on my sporty and had the same difficulties....and I'm an electrician!

May 25, 2011 | 06:44 AM

#16

brenn

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 4,933

Likes: 11

From: Kentucky

Quote:

Originally Posted by skratch

and yet no instructions online for this..... unless they are hidden somewhere else.

You're right. I just looked at the web site and that's one of the few things they have no instructions for.

Check out Crutchfield's - they have some wiring harnesses and adapters for Harley stereos and they often have instructions, too.

May 25, 2011 | 06:52 AM

#17

jeffreydsilver

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 6,508

Likes: 169

From: WPB, FL

Been There - Done That

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadkingbigjoe

I hate HDs instructions I have not found any that made sense. frustrated!

I'll read the instructions (usually over & over), then I'll try to find others with on line posts on how they ACTUALLY installed the parts! If you can find a step by step pictorial on line that someone else has been kind enough to post, that helps. In the end, a combination of all of these things with ALOT of common sense thrown in usually does the job.

May 25, 2011 | 08:15 AM

#18

barjbar

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 3,817

Likes: 2

From: Novi MI

I sincerely believe they intentionally make the instructions so difficult to comprehend you'll take it to the dealership for installation. I love it when they make a part for multiple bikes such as the detachable luggage rack and back rest including extra nuts, bolts, and washers and you have to decipher which parts go to your specific bike.