Switching to chrome switches
Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,357
Likes: 11
From: The Lone Star State
Switching to chrome switches
Any tips on changing out my switches. I am going to change the stock black ones to the HD chrome replacements. Any advice will be appreciated. This will complete my work on my handlebars, controls, etc.
Then on to the next thing.
Then on to the next thing.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: North Shore, Masshole
RE: Switching to chrome switches
Warg,
Is it the Housings or the caps you're going to replace? Housings are easy. Caps suck. I did the housings and kept the black switches.
Just make sure you follow the advice of everyone else that's taken the switch housings off by shimming the brake lever.
-DO
[IMG]local://upfiles/9666/6FAFDCEB6C984DA583131FAB11E08A88.jpg[/IMG]
Is it the Housings or the caps you're going to replace? Housings are easy. Caps suck. I did the housings and kept the black switches.
Just make sure you follow the advice of everyone else that's taken the switch housings off by shimming the brake lever.
-DO
[IMG]local://upfiles/9666/6FAFDCEB6C984DA583131FAB11E08A88.jpg[/IMG]
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,374
Likes: 1
From: Central Florida
RE: Switching to chrome switches
I replaced the switch caps with the chrome ones and didn't think it was that bad. Once you get the switches out of the housings just use a small flathead screwdriver to pry the old ones off then snap the new ones in place and reinstall the switches. Took me about an hour.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 10,058
Likes: 8
From: MEXICO
RE: Switching to chrome switches
No hassle at all. They lok great. I changed mine, the only warning I got was not to force them too much, the chrome switches are made from a more fragile plastic formula an you can break 'em if you are not careful. Change the whole thing, switches and switch caps, they look very slick.
Regards.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 371
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Switching to chrome switches
It is not all that bad to do. Put a shim in the brake lever, unscrew the housings and remove switches. Use a small screwdriver to pry off old switch covers and push on new covers. There is a spring on some of the switches which pushes them back to the original position - make sure it is in place. Take your time and you will have good results.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,357
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From: The Lone Star State
RE: Switching to chrome switches
When you say to shim the brake lever, do you mean squeeze the brake lever and then put a shim in it to keep it closed?
Do I need to shim the clutch lever as well?
What do I use for a shim?
Mimo, what do you mean change switches and switch caps? I am changing out the black buttons for the chrome buttons.
thanks
Do I need to shim the clutch lever as well?
What do I use for a shim?
Mimo, what do you mean change switches and switch caps? I am changing out the black buttons for the chrome buttons.
thanks
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,511
Likes: 12
From: Western, MA.
RE: Switching to chrome switches
I bought the chrome caps and installed them myself. The switches don't change, just the caps. If you had a bad switch that you needed to replace, then that's another story.
When removing the old black caps I had to use a tiny flathead screwdriver and I used a little bit of force to get the old cap to "pop" off. The new chrome caps slipped right on.
As far as the shim goes, it should mention it in the directions. I squeezed the break lever and put a pack of matches in there to hold it from returning to it's normal position.
The whole job took about an hour or so.
We want pic's when it's done!
When removing the old black caps I had to use a tiny flathead screwdriver and I used a little bit of force to get the old cap to "pop" off. The new chrome caps slipped right on.
As far as the shim goes, it should mention it in the directions. I squeezed the break lever and put a pack of matches in there to hold it from returning to it's normal position.
The whole job took about an hour or so.
We want pic's when it's done!