I want to put the chrome front end kit on my '07 Heritage. I'm a reasonably capable wrench, but have never messed with the front end. Are there special tools or equipment required. Is there an alignment procedure that I'm likely to screw up?

I hate to pay a dealer for something that I can do myself.

Thanks,
Jim

 

I did mine myself....it's pretty easy....just pay attention to the wheel spacers for the alignment.

Also watch the fork seals when you put them back in, they look identical either way, but there's definately a wrong way to put them in. Trust me I have one fork with no oil left in it.

You'll need an impact wrench with a 6mm allen socket to get the bolts out of the bottom without stripping them.

Just read the service manual and you'll do fine. Makes you feel great when you can spend the money you would have spent on labor on more chrome.

 

When you say front end kit, are you referring to the lower sliders? If this is the case, you have an easy job ahead of you. I was able to remove them without taking off the fork tubes on my FXST. But you have the big slider covers, so you may need to slide the fork tubes out to get to the retaining ring on the top of the sliders. Not sure about that, though. Anyway, it doesn't matter, the fork tubes are easy to remove, too. You will not need any special tools, and the fender will take care of the alignment for you.

BTW, the springs inside the forktubes on your particular model are under preload. So if you decide to dismantle them (you shouldn't have to), be careful.
[align=left] [/align]

 

Thanks for the tips guys. It sounds like something I'll tackle myself.

 

One more tool you will need along with what the others have stated ... 2" PVC pipe about 3-4 feet long. This is perfect to install the seals into the lower fork.

 

Yes, forgot about that one. But when I did mine, the PVC was just a bit to big around. I had to cut a slit down the side lengthwise and zip-tie it around the circumference to make the diameter of the pvc a hair smaller.

 

Hey j2dawson...

I'm just wrapping up my '07 Fat Boy and the chrome front end job...I replaced my 'cow bells' at the same time, as well as doing the retro-nacelle assembly and auxilliary lights all at the same time. I also used chrome wheel spacers and axle bolt covers. Besides, it's too damn cold to ride right now!

I agree with all of the input you have received...this is a job that any mechanically inclined HD owner can do. A few simple hand tools, plenty of ragsand lots of patience are at the top of the needs list!I invested in the HD Fork Seal tool since I'm going to do several of these chrome jobs for my friends. Very simple, yet slick device! $65.00 well spent!

BUT let me point out two importantwords of caution when doing this job...

First...I'ma pretty good wrench with most of the electrical,air, and hand tools any guy could want, but I ran into a problem that simply kicked my butt! After finishing the left side tube and reinstalling it with little or no complications other than getting fork oil everywhere, I started onthe right side and right off the bat stripped the 6mm cap screw! I was using an impact wrench andhad the tube off, turned upside down, and clamped in a vise! I had the right angle on it, but it was on sodamn tight that a gorilla couldn't have removed it! After totally destroying the screw head with several feeble attempts at using different tools I had to go to the screw extraction process. I drilled my hole, used plenty of penetrating oil, and just when it couldn't get any worse it did! The extractor snapped off in the hole! To make a very sad story even worse...after several hours of head scratching and several telephone calls for advice, I decided to simply cut the fork tube bottom off with a grinder at the point where the bottom of the cap screw rested. It worked, and I licked my wounds and ordered the replacement parts from Zanottis. All in all, it turned out to be a $139.00 mistake. Oh...and by the way, the 'special' cap screw thatHD uses is $9.87! Must be a 'hi-performance' screw!

And second...there is a spacer(looks like a big washer...) that rests on top of the upper bushing and the slider seal sits on top of it. This spacer is flat on one side and flanged on the other. When I disassembled my Fat Boy the flat sides were both up...made sense to me, this is where the seal sits. BUT...when reading my new shop manual, it clearly states to ensure that the flanged side of this spacer is up! Oh no...a crisis! Well...I talked to my local HD tech...two of them to be exact, and they stated to assemble the forks with the spacer flat sideup and giving the seal a firm base. When I asked about what my manual stated, they shrugged it off as a possible typo and that common mechanical sense needed to prevail!

Well...that's my story and I'm sticking to it! This is why I don't drink while wrenching on my toys, but do so heavily after the work is done! That Saturday evening I put a serious dent in my Miller Lite collection!

Good luck buddy!

Steve

 

It sounds like my kind of project. Everything will go smooth except one thing.

Thanks for the help. When I get the parts together, I'll keep you guys posted on my progress.

Jim