doing mods myself, looking for tips and hints
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Road Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 418
From: Pennsylvania
doing mods myself, looking for tips and hints
Brand new 2009 Fat Boy.
Next weekend I'll be celebrating the 4th by putting V&H BSS, SE high performance air cleaner/breather, and a PC V on her.
I'm doing all the work myself. I've never done it before nor watched it being done.
I have a service manual, all the right tools, and a good mechanical mind.
Can pretty much figure anything out.
I also assume that all parts come with install instructions.
What I'm looking for is any tips, tricks, or gotchas that people just figure out on their own because they are not in the manual or instructions.
I'd prefer to not learn them the hard way if possible
These can pertain to removal of the stock parts as well as the installation of the new.
I'm already good with the PC V, so I'm pretty much just lookin for stuff on the exhaust and intake.
Thanks!
Here she is right now with the cosmetic upgrades done. Skull collection
mirrors, timer cover, air cleaner insert, derby cover (on the other side) gas cap medallion, and Kuryakyn ISO grips.
Next weekend I'll be celebrating the 4th by putting V&H BSS, SE high performance air cleaner/breather, and a PC V on her.
I'm doing all the work myself. I've never done it before nor watched it being done.
I have a service manual, all the right tools, and a good mechanical mind.
Can pretty much figure anything out.
I also assume that all parts come with install instructions.
What I'm looking for is any tips, tricks, or gotchas that people just figure out on their own because they are not in the manual or instructions.
I'd prefer to not learn them the hard way if possible
These can pertain to removal of the stock parts as well as the installation of the new.
I'm already good with the PC V, so I'm pretty much just lookin for stuff on the exhaust and intake.
Thanks!
Here she is right now with the cosmetic upgrades done. Skull collection
mirrors, timer cover, air cleaner insert, derby cover (on the other side) gas cap medallion, and Kuryakyn ISO grips.
Last edited by chunks; Jun 27, 2009 at 10:35 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Paris, TN
If you've got the tools, the HD service manual for your model should be all you need for the mods you've listed. And this forum for advice if you get stuck!
I was hesitant to start my ape hanger swap, it looked like a lot of work. I read, looked at pictures, talked to people who had done it.... the job looked intimidating but was surprisingly simple once I tore into it.
The pride in doing it yourself and the knowledge gained is a great feeling. Just be careful with it and protect your paint and chrome! Good Luck!
I was hesitant to start my ape hanger swap, it looked like a lot of work. I read, looked at pictures, talked to people who had done it.... the job looked intimidating but was surprisingly simple once I tore into it.
The pride in doing it yourself and the knowledge gained is a great feeling. Just be careful with it and protect your paint and chrome! Good Luck!
R.I.P. BROTHER
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs
Working on these bikes is almost like working on a VW bug. Every things seems designed to be easily accessible and easily serviced without the need for stripping down half the bike to get to a small part or the need for piles of special tools.
These bikes are engineered well and with servicing ease in mind.
Lil' bit of understanding how tools work, a sewrvice manual and a good torque wrench is all you need to get yer' Mod On.
Get after it Bro!
These bikes are engineered well and with servicing ease in mind.
Lil' bit of understanding how tools work, a sewrvice manual and a good torque wrench is all you need to get yer' Mod On.
Get after it Bro!
Get new exhaust gaskets. Have a few extra flange nuts for the exhaust in case you lose one or two as I always manage to do. Take your time. Follow the instructions and take your time. Ask questions as you do it if you have any. Someone is always around here.
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 483
Likes: 1
From: Tampa Bay area, Florida
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 851
Likes: 1
From: Alberta, Canada
oh yeah, forgot to mention this - and I'm amazed no one else did either... WD-40 and dental floss to remove the reflectors 
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 764
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
when doing the exhaust, are the heat shields installed along with the pipes or are hey installed afterwards ??
Oh yea, as for a good tip, use blue painters tape to mask off your frame and other parts that can get scratched in the process.
Oh yea, as for a good tip, use blue painters tape to mask off your frame and other parts that can get scratched in the process.
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
Only "trick" I can think of is when your trying to replace the exhaust gaskets. See if your tool box has a small thin bladed screwdriver (I used a sharp metal scribe) you can use to pop or dig the old one out with.
They are made of a woven mesh steel impregnated with an asbestos like material. So getting them out is like pulling out a compressed steel wool ring.
Ideally you want to get it out in one piece so try putting the screwdriver in between the gasket and the wall of the exhaust port so you can collapse it to pull it out in one piece. But sometimes they don't want to come out all that easy and you wind up pulling out lots of little wire strings.
There also appears to be two different versions of the gasket. One is tapered for stock pipes and the other is square for aftermarket pipes.
Some places only carry one kind so your kind of stuck. But if they have both get the square one, it works better with aftermarket pipes.
They are made of a woven mesh steel impregnated with an asbestos like material. So getting them out is like pulling out a compressed steel wool ring.
Ideally you want to get it out in one piece so try putting the screwdriver in between the gasket and the wall of the exhaust port so you can collapse it to pull it out in one piece. But sometimes they don't want to come out all that easy and you wind up pulling out lots of little wire strings.
There also appears to be two different versions of the gasket. One is tapered for stock pipes and the other is square for aftermarket pipes.
Some places only carry one kind so your kind of stuck. But if they have both get the square one, it works better with aftermarket pipes.