Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

how to install stock pushrods..??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 16, 2014 | 05:23 AM
  #1  
WellHungWillie's Avatar
WellHungWillie
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: uranis
Default how to install stock pushrods..??

I just got my bottom end sealed up with the 509 s&s cams..

i'm ready to install my " Stock " pushrod back in er...

question is....do i have to wait for lifter bleed down..???

it says nothing in the manual about this for stock pushrods... but they do state that you do if your installing adj. pushrods...

i have er all lined up on TDC right now... all my timing marks are lined up...

what do i do now please..????


thanks guys...
 
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2014 | 05:59 AM
  #2  
QC's Avatar
QC
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,810
From: Centennial, CO
Default

Put in the rods and button up the front cylinder. Wait til you can turn the rods with your fingers, then repeat for the rear.
 
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2014 | 06:17 AM
  #3  
WellHungWillie's Avatar
WellHungWillie
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: uranis
Default

will i have to get the rear cly. cams on there base..????
 
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2014 | 06:47 AM
  #4  
mirrmu's Avatar
mirrmu
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,368
Likes: 27
From: Australia
Default

Hi,

Take your time with the bolts on the rocker support plate too, 1/4 turn in the pattern in manual, make sure it goes down even, may take 30min to be able to spin pushrod, DO NOT move to next cylinder until you can spin pushrod
Thanks
Mirrmu
 
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2014 | 06:59 AM
  #5  
WellHungWillie's Avatar
WellHungWillie
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: uranis
Default

will i have to get the rear piston at TDC and the cams at there base..??? before installing the pushrods..???
 
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2014 | 12:03 PM
  #6  
Dan89FLSTC's Avatar
Dan89FLSTC
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
Active Streak: 30 Days
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,032
Likes: 12,560
From: South Carolina
Default

The process for re assembly of the rocker supports using stock pushrods is most certainly in the Harley service manual, including all the necessary precautions.
 
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2014 | 12:50 PM
  #7  
Redbeard719's Avatar
Redbeard719
Grand HDF Member
Veteran: Marine Corps
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,002
Likes: 1,240
From: On the Front Range, CO
Default

Originally Posted by QC
Put in the rods and button up the front cylinder. Wait til you can turn the rods with your fingers, then repeat for the rear.
This. Once either the front or rear cylinder is complete, wait until you can spin the rods freely before moving to the opposite cylinder.

Originally Posted by WellHungWillie
will i have to get the rear piston at TDC and the cams at there base..??? before installing the pushrods..???
Yes, once the rods spin freely, put the bike in high gear (5th or 6th) and spin the back wheel. Make sure the spark plugs are removed so you don't build compression, otherwise you'll have a difficult time turning the engine.

You always want the cams on the base circle when reinstalling the rods/rocker assemblies.
 
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2014 | 07:52 PM
  #8  
Sgt_Jim's Avatar
Sgt_Jim
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 3
From: Central Jersey
Default

I'm sure this was settled already, since it's 7 hours later, but yes, get the front cylinder to TDC, install the pushrods, button up the rocker box, wait 30 minutes, lift up the pushrod tube and the rods should spin somewhat freely.. then complete the front cylinder. get the rear cylinder to TDC, and repeat.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 18, 2014 | 07:38 AM
  #9  
WellHungWillie's Avatar
WellHungWillie
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: uranis
Default

ok.. lets say the rear piston is at top on it's compression stroke and cams are at there base..

does that mean the front piston is all the way down on it's intake stroke and on it's way up for it's compression stroke when the rear piston is coming down on it power stroke..??

i'm thinking by this, means the crack only has to be turned 1 revolution for the front piston to be at TDC...

am i thinking right..???
 
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2014 | 07:58 AM
  #10  
Sgt_Jim's Avatar
Sgt_Jim
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 3
From: Central Jersey
Default

With the piston (front or rear) at TDC, your cam/lifters (both lifters!) should be at their lowest point.
 

Last edited by Sgt_Jim; Jul 18, 2014 at 08:00 AM.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:44 AM.

story-0
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE