When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
what did i let you guys get me into? lol, i finally got all my parts in to do my handlebar swap, and i started in tonite. after 3 hours, all i got on was a side project of the derby cover, but i finally got off all the switches, clutch off the bars, throttle cables and switches, and tomorrow i will slide the tank back and hopefully install the new throttle cables, wich looks like a nightmare, and im guessing i have to remove my pipes open the transmission to install the new clutch? what do i need to do? new oil? gasket? is it easier to splice the wires or try and put them into the existing plug? i think im in way over my head, as i have never worked on any bikes before in my life.
You can do it. Took me bout 16 Kokanee (It's the beer out here) to fish the wire through the bars with wipper snipper cable.
Get a manual, post often with questions and these guys will help ya!!
I got through it and I'm no mechanic. Just a guy with some tools and a laptop.
what did i let you guys get me into? lol, i finally got all my parts in to do my handlebar swap, and i started in tonite. after 3 hours, all i got on was a side project of the derby cover, but i finally got off all the switches, clutch off the bars, throttle cables and switches, and tomorrow i will slide the tank back and hopefully install the new throttle cables, wich looks like a nightmare, and im guessing i have to remove my pipes open the transmission to install the new clutch? what do i need to do? new oil? gasket? is it easier to splice the wires or try and put them into the existing plug? i think im in way over my head, as i have never worked on any bikes before in my life.
Go big or go home right...dang you don't play around for first time modding.
Ok, don't sweat it. You'll get it done. First time I did bars I was shocked at how long it took me. Now that I wrenched with a buddy enough we can bang them out in a few hours. I mention that because it will make the process go by a lot better if you have a buddy who has some mechanical skills.
Each job is going to be unique unto itself. Pulling the tank isn't hard, it's just a PITA. If you're just sliding it back you should be able to avoid those problems. Wiring isn't hard, just tedious. I was able to get by without splicing, but I was just doing knuckle bars. The throttle wasn't that bad for us either. The clutch on the other hand threw us a curve. Depending on what pipes you're running you may or may not be able to pull the tranny cover without pulling the rear pipe. I had to pull the rear pipe, but that made the job 100x easier.
Best advice...Get the manual. It's worth it's weight in gold for you. It will walk you step by step through the things you're looking to do. Good luck.
nothin like a pep talk after comin up for air, i have a manual, and im guessin im stayin up tonight goin through it, just didn't realize i had to pull the transmission cover off, and do i need to buy a certain harley fluid to go back in it, it looks like its going to be awful tight to try and not pull the pipes off
Be sure to put something on top of your rocker boxes (like a shop rag- not paper towel). It'll keep them from being scratched if your fuel line drags across them.
im hoping to just be able to slide the tank back and not have to take it off. was also wondering if it will be easier to just splice the wires or disconnect them and then re-connect them?
lol... I am in about the same boat bud. Anyways, I had to take my tank off as I am sending my tins for paint so couldn't just slide them back. Thought I had them siphoned out as good as I could get em but I was wrong. Pulled the hose that runs between the two sides of the tank and although I attempted to catch the immediate rush, I lost atleast half a margarine container on the floor in my garage. My wife has been giving me dirty looks all evening, lol... If you can get at the connectors by just sliding it back, try, try, try, lol..
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.