I pulled the rear wheel to install a upper and lower chrome belt guard, and a chrome sprocket cover.

On a 07 XLC best to remove the rear brake caliper, cause its a bitch to get the wheel off and back on, I did have to remove the rear muffler, as the factory manual states, I took the complete rear exhaust pipe off at the header where it bolts to the cylinder head.

After I got the header bolts loose, and the rest of the fasteners as specified by the factory manual, I realized that it is possible to get the rear muffer off, with out removing the header pipe, but because I bought all new gaskets, only wanting to do the job once, I did go ahead and remove the pipe and muffler, to replace the gaskets. That being said, I had the dealer replace my slip on's shortly after I got the bike, they replaced the gasket's on the crossover and when I got the exhaust pipe off, I could see where it was leaking. The muffler clamp was tight, but the slip on muffler was loose on the header pipe. I don't know if new clamps as the service manual states, would of held the muffler on tight or not. I don't think it would of made any difference new or old clamps. Just a shity designed . I did check for exhaust leaks after the install, the header pipe was solid no leaks,the cross over, I felt a little leak, if I were to do it again, which is a possibility if I get a flat I would not replace the gaskets, because I feel it is possible to loosen the header, and get the slip on off with out damageing the gaskets, and save $10 bucks on gaskets!

It was not a one man job as far as I am concerned, with the help of two other people I did get the wheel back on with out messing with the belt adjustment nuts, or scratching up the new chrome.

I did apply plenty of duck tape any place I thought I would slip and ding the chrome, hope I have another bike by the time its due for rear rubber, as this is somewhat difficult job if you are concerned about scratchs as you go, and WTF was H/D thinking when they designed this thing, remove the rear muffer to get the axle out.

I read that some bikes did not have grease on the rear axle from the factory, mine had plenty, I did apply some never seize to the axle before installing it.

So about 8 Motrin during the install, and a few beers after the install I got a major Fu$king headache, glad thats over with, next mod a 19 in. front wheel and tire.







Tom

 

Lookin' Sweeeeeeet!

 

Looks good man keep it up.. So what is next?

 

Looks pretty sweet.

 

They say you can put your axle in backwards to avoid removing the mufflers each time. I ahve a chrome belt gurad sitting right here for the wife sporty and after reading this am not excited at all about installing it. I was thinking a couple of bolet and presto. Hmmmm...

 

Looks great! I guess when you replace the rear tire, that would be the time to replace some parts..

 

I have the 3 piece kit on the way. I dont know about installing the spocket cover though. Seems like too much trouble.[:'(] But after looking at your bike, maybe it is worth the headache.. ...Looks really good. Nice job!

 

Looks really good. I think it was worth the hassle.

Teek

 

MikesDad.

What year bike are you installing the 3 piece kit on, the lower guard on the kit I bought, did not have a belt deflection window, for guageing belt deflection, I seen some other kits that do have the window, and there for the older bikes.

Tom

 

Looks Great!

I put the Chrome Belt Guards on yesterday. They are pretty easy (after you get the f)(&g #55 Torx bit for the shock bolt. I am waiting to get the sprocket cover till I replace the tire, since it does look like a bit more work. I would rather get a great dial on a chromed sprocket instead of the cover
Idon't mind not having the window in te lower guard, I can just mark/measure the deflection on the chrome