Working on my Fatboy
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 91
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From: Northumberland UK
Working on my Fatboy
As a newbie to this forum, been riding Harleys for about 7 years, done in excess of 60K miles. I have little experience actually wrenching on my bikes. As a Harley owner however I have learnt the joy of fiddling and also of chrome addiction. I am now however beginning to do a bit more and recently did my first oil and filter change. At my local dealers end of season sale I picked up an HD aftermarket front wheel for my Fatboy. If I can get a new tyre fitted onto the loose wheel I am tempted to have a go at switching out the original and installing the new one. I have the tech manual and a Haynes guide to big twins and I think I understand what I need to do.
Anybody got any tips or suggestions to avoid those pit falls which always occur just when you are knee deep in stuff?
Since the replacement wheel is an HD replacement specifically for my bike am I right in assuming that with the old wheel out, the brake disc should bolt right onto the new wheel and the original spacers should allow the new wheel to slot right in without adjustment, is this ok or am I missing something fundamental?
Anybody got any tips or suggestions to avoid those pit falls which always occur just when you are knee deep in stuff?
Since the replacement wheel is an HD replacement specifically for my bike am I right in assuming that with the old wheel out, the brake disc should bolt right onto the new wheel and the original spacers should allow the new wheel to slot right in without adjustment, is this ok or am I missing something fundamental?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
Likes: 43
From: Bloomfield, NM
RE: Working on my Fatboy
If it is a HD wheel specific for you bike you should have no problems putting it on. I have changed tires on my bikes as well as friend's, and I can't think of any real pitfalls in doing the job, especially on the front. There is no belt to adjust, and no alignment to worry about.
You might want to heat the bolts on the brake disc just a LITTLE so that the bolts will come out easier. They are sometimes pretty tight and have locktite on them. This should be very little heat, just enough to get the bolts to turn. A benzene torch with very low heat should work.
Regards,
Bill
You might want to heat the bolts on the brake disc just a LITTLE so that the bolts will come out easier. They are sometimes pretty tight and have locktite on them. This should be very little heat, just enough to get the bolts to turn. A benzene torch with very low heat should work.
Regards,
Bill
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 3
From: NC
RE: Working on my Fatboy
I'm gonna really show my ignorance here.. You guys are talking about mounting a tire on a wheel by hand, meaning no tire machine? Is it brutal or am I just being a girly-scout? [sm=morning.gif]
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
RE: Working on my Fatboy
For what a dealer charges to mount a tire on a rim, it's not worth trying to do by yourself. The tires are a very stiff sidewall, and should only be mounted with the proper equipment.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 761
Likes: 124
From: College Station TX
RE: Working on my Fatboy
I replace tires by hand all the time. Just get some 14 inch tire spoons and a little soap, it's a piece of cake. then take it in to have it balanced. I am a tight wad though, I would rather spend my money on chrome than give it to a mech.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,357
Likes: 1
From: Iwakuni, Japan
RE: Working on my Fatboy
Changing a tire isn't all that hard. One tip is a lil dish soap around the bead and you will notice on the new tire there will be a "Yellow Dot" line that dot up with your valve stem hole and you will have no problems with wheel balance. ( or at least no new problems). As stated eariler its not that much cost but thats money I could buy somthing new or have a few colds ones after all the work. Keep Riding!!!
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