Drive belt
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 9
From: Southern Illinois
Outer and inner primary need to come off to get to gront pulley, which means clutch basket comes off also. Then swing arm needs to come off, although some can get the belt off with only loosening it and working belt off and then on. Rear wheel needs to be removed. Quite a bit of work replacing it. While mine was being replaced, had all the seals and primary bearings replaced as well as new primary chain.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21,732
Likes: 17,569
From: Driftless Area
It's a PITA...Along with the stuff Bodean already mentioned, you have to remove muffler, saddlebag, floorboard, etc. The upside is that you can make sure for yourself that your swingarm bushings are good, shift lever at the tranny is tight, and new gaskets are used. The dealer books the job at 8 hours labor. Myself and a very helpful, savy friend did it in four.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,750
Likes: 0
From: east cen.miss
I had mine replaced last year when I found a rock had torn the belt.I didn't want to fool with it so I paid the dealer $600 to do it.It hurt to fork out that kind of money because of a small rock but I didn't want to be stranded on the side of the road either.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 824
Likes: 2
From: O'fallon IL
Big job. Basically, the entire primary has to be removed. Luckily it's not something that has to be done very often.
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,122
Likes: 51,433
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
About half the bike comes apart to do it and you need air tools .
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,932
Likes: 32
From: Broomfield, CO
Stage III
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: UK
I've recently done this on a '09 FLHT and would rate it as pretty straight forward. Hope the Ultra's the same
Points I would mention:
1. Buy the factory manual and read it.
2. Locking the clutch/compensator is nothing to worry about. Buy some ally bar off eBay. 25mm x 6mm and cut to length.
3. Make sure you have allen sockets and extension bars to remove the starter. Might be worth checking to see if the two cap heads are metric - I can't remember.
4. Have the nuts ready to assist with the removal of the swinging arm pivot shaft should they be required.
5. A couple of different loctites required.
6. No air tool required.
Points I would mention:
1. Buy the factory manual and read it.
2. Locking the clutch/compensator is nothing to worry about. Buy some ally bar off eBay. 25mm x 6mm and cut to length.
3. Make sure you have allen sockets and extension bars to remove the starter. Might be worth checking to see if the two cap heads are metric - I can't remember.
4. Have the nuts ready to assist with the removal of the swinging arm pivot shaft should they be required.
5. A couple of different loctites required.
6. No air tool required.