someone please kick me in the arse...
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 601
Likes: 0
From: San Jose Ca
Can't go wrong with Craftsman torque wrenches get the one that clicks it's easier to use. Stay away from Harbor Freight cheap **** for precision type tools. but they have great impact sockets and pry bars that you cant beat the price on.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,308
Likes: 2
From: WA - The State
This is kind of like the old Harley rider phrase "If you have to ask, you wouldn't understand!" so if you have to ask you're better off taking it to someone else! Like Harry Callahan says,"Man has got to know his limits..." Everything you want to install are some of the simplest to do but what are you going to do if an exhaust stud pulls out and you have to reset it yourself?
Variablek should go for it, as it appears he is going to. Nothing wrong with asking questions first, then doing the work. There's been plenty of times I've found out easier ways of doing things well after I've struggled with it and been done.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,558
Likes: 5
From: Massachusetts
Nothing wrong with asking questions first, then doing the work.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,357
Likes: 11
From: The Lone Star State
This is kind of like the old Harley rider phrase "If you have to ask, you wouldn't understand!" so if you have to ask you're better off taking it to someone else! Like Harry Callahan says,"Man has got to know his limits..." Everything you want to install are some of the simplest to do but what are you going to do if an exhaust stud pulls out and you have to reset it yourself?
I have done most everything to my bike, except installed chrome frontend and the dyno tune. Everything else, all chrome parts, apes, lowering shocks, exhaust, air cleaner, oil changes, turn signal relocation, chrome controls, braided cables, grips, boards, pegs, billet shift and brake pedal levers, blah, blah, blah, I did those myself, with the help of a buddy. Before my bike, I had no experience working on bikes, cars, anything.
One piece of advice...something will always go wrong, not fit, be harder than it looks, or need some tweak of some kind. Don't get frustrated, take your time, read your service manual and you'll be fine.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,257
Likes: 6
From: Leander Texas
I was scared too but I have built racing cars before. after seeing the Tuttles build bikes I said what the hect. only costly error was lifting the gas tank and not releasing the fuel line, opps $50. I got a snap on TQ for $75 at a pawn shop both the 3/8 and the 1/2. I made my custom tail lamp. I got all the tools on the after thanksgiving day sale at sears. I use dewalt Torx tips and craftsman for the larger ones. the 1/4 ratchet has been the most useful and was only $10
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 515
Likes: 0
From: The Woodlands, TX
You can do these mods
Go to Sears:
Get a socket set - 1/4" drive, 3/8" drive, and 1/2"
Get a pliers set - regular, needlenose, channel locks
Get a set of allen head sockets - both standard and metric
Get a set of torx sockets
Get a set of Screwdrives as well
Get a wrench set - you'll need a 7/8" wrench to remove your O2 sensors
Sears has good torque wrenches, get the 3/8" drive ft-lbs and 3/8" drive in-lbs wrenches - get the good ones - no dial indicator. They are easy to use...turn the handle to the desired torque, when you get there the wrench will make a clicking noise
You will also want to pickup an expanding tool, works like pliers, but when you squeeze them the end opens...you will need this to remove the C-clips that hold on the exhaust flanges...as well as putting the c-clips back on the new pipes
The needlenose pliers are handy to remove the old exhaust gaskets - they will look like compressed steel wool, just grab them and yank them out.
Just follow the instructions and you'll be fine...another helpful tip...when you buy new exhaust gaskets get a set of Screamin Eagle gaskets - they will make the boltup much easier
The aircleaner is a piece of cake
Go to Sears:
Get a socket set - 1/4" drive, 3/8" drive, and 1/2"
Get a pliers set - regular, needlenose, channel locks
Get a set of allen head sockets - both standard and metric
Get a set of torx sockets
Get a set of Screwdrives as well
Get a wrench set - you'll need a 7/8" wrench to remove your O2 sensors
Sears has good torque wrenches, get the 3/8" drive ft-lbs and 3/8" drive in-lbs wrenches - get the good ones - no dial indicator. They are easy to use...turn the handle to the desired torque, when you get there the wrench will make a clicking noise
You will also want to pickup an expanding tool, works like pliers, but when you squeeze them the end opens...you will need this to remove the C-clips that hold on the exhaust flanges...as well as putting the c-clips back on the new pipes
The needlenose pliers are handy to remove the old exhaust gaskets - they will look like compressed steel wool, just grab them and yank them out.
Just follow the instructions and you'll be fine...another helpful tip...when you buy new exhaust gaskets get a set of Screamin Eagle gaskets - they will make the boltup much easier
The aircleaner is a piece of cake
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 515
Likes: 0
From: The Woodlands, TX
I forgot something which really pissed me off on my Xbones - it may be different on the Rocker, but you'll have to remove your seat and battery to get to the rear cylinder O2 sensor plug.