working on a 2021 softail
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,377
Likes: 223
working on a 2021 softail
I might catch some heat for it, but I'll just say it. Working on my '21 is like wrenching on a Honda, everything is packaged so tightly and there are plastic covers all over the place when dealing with the battery, etc. I'm glad I work on my friends metric bikes, it helps when dealing with this ride. My 96 Springer is like a John Deer, and the Glides had way more room to work with. Ok, got it out of my system.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,450
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The M8 softail battery is a pain in the butt the first time. Once you've done it a time or two it gets better. The improvement of the over the top mono shock vs the ridiculous twin shock set-up the previous softails had is worth it.
Zach
Zach
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 1,975
From: Eastern,North Carolina
Look at it this way....yes, things are harder to work on. But when you do DIY anyway, think of the satisfaction for not having to take it to a dealer not to mention the increase in $$ you have saved. My wife has a 24 Bronco Sport Badlands. What a pain to change the oil removing the skid plates and the tight area to get the filter out. But I still smile when I do it myself. 
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,312
Likes: 1,878
From: Conn.
another big complaint is removing the tank to do the plugs. Very easy to do ( like the battery) and the power that the 4 valves per cylinder make make it well worth it. it is more time consuming yes but well worth it for sure.
Last edited by Durham man; Apr 28, 2026 at 03:59 PM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,324
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From: Upstate New York
I might catch some heat for it, but I'll just say it. Working on my '21 is like wrenching on a Honda, everything is packaged so tightly and there are plastic covers all over the place when dealing with the battery, etc. I'm glad I work on my friends metric bikes, it helps when dealing with this ride. My 96 Springer is like a John Deer, and the Glides had way more room to work with. Ok, got it out of my system.
At my age, I havent the patience or desire to deal with stuff that someone made deliberately difficult to work on.
Last edited by Uncle G.; Apr 28, 2026 at 04:44 PM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
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From: Middle America
re: battery access . I own a 19 Mini Cooper S and you have to remove something like 27 screws and remove no less than 3-4 separate panels to remove the battery.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 536
From: MN
Yeah, they squished components into a too-small assembly, but the other side of the coin is huge, heavy, expensive tourers, so whaddaya gonna do?
Get int he right mindset, set aside a bunch 'o time & coffee, and frustrate your way through it. I've done batteries and plugs a couple of times, fuel filter, floor board extenders, compensator ramps, stuff like that. One step at a time, nice 'n slow, gets you there.
Get int he right mindset, set aside a bunch 'o time & coffee, and frustrate your way through it. I've done batteries and plugs a couple of times, fuel filter, floor board extenders, compensator ramps, stuff like that. One step at a time, nice 'n slow, gets you there.
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smokyheritage
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Aug 18, 2016 10:33 PM