Going to replace the front fender on the 17 road glide with a wrap around fender and curious do I need to remove the tire/wheel to install?

 

Yes,to access removal of fender mount bolts.

 

Curious because service manual doesn't mention it...makes since I guess..

 

No, I just put that fender on my 2017, just reached in through wheel to tighten nuts with open end wrench. Did NOT remove wheel, took 15 minutes to swap out fenders!! Factory installed fender has nut serts, not loose nuts, just remove 4 bolts. Super easy!!☺

 

On my 2011 Road King there were locking tabs on the inside nuts that needed bent out in order to loosen. It might be possible to do with the wheel on but i'm sure it would be easier to take the wheel off...You don't want to scratch the new fender..

 

I don't think that you do, on 14 and up the fender bolts are accessed from the outside. The nuts are made into the fender. I have pulled the fender off earlier models w/o removing the wheel, but on those pulling the wheel is sometimes necessary to access the lock tabs.

 

Yea..I don't think there is locking tabs..just took a closer look and seems pretty much straight forward..

 

I swapped mine for a wrapped steel fender too. Did not need to remove the wheel. Very easy process. You will need a flathead to unbend the locking tabs on the washer from the inside in order to remove the bolt. Same brackets should fit the new fender.

 

I just swapped mine a couple of weeks ago on my RGS. No locking tabs on the fender, just removed the four bolts, and pulled it off, put the new one one and bolted it up.

I did wrap part of the forks and the brakes with masking tape so I didn't scratch the fender.

 

Sounds like a plan for me...now if my fender would hurry up and get here...