Saddlebag Supports Installation question...First time working on Sporty
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 49
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From: Illinois(of course)
Saddlebag Supports Installation question...First time working on Sporty
I got some saddlebag supports and it came with instructions but this is my first time to work on my Sporty. The instructions say to "support the rear of the motorcycle" and remove the 1/2" upper shock bolt. This is really dumb, I'm sure, but do I put something under the frame to support the bike or hold up the frame when taking out the shock bolt? Will something fall when I take out the bolt? Am I just supporting the bike with something under it to keep it stable and nothing will fall down? Trying to learn how to do some work on my bike and not pay the dealer for something I should be able to do. Is this the wrong place to ask? Thanks for the help.
Curt
Curt
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 45
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From: southern illinois
this may come too late for you. you should jack up the bike and support the rear wheel i would assume. gravity does work. if you remove both shock mount bolts at same time your rear suspension is gone and the rear of the bike will come to rest on the rear tire, probably kind of fast like.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
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From: Wheeling, WV
Yes, you should jack the bike up slightly to get the tension off the rear suspension so your rear fender doesn't go crashing down onto the rear tire when you remove the shock bolts. Jacking the bike up also allows you to drop the rear tire even further to give you more room under the fender to get at any nuts/bolts you need to. 
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 175
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I bought the HD Express Rider saddlebags so I did not need saddlebag supports. I think my instructions said the same. That was so you would have more room between the rear fender and tire to work on the bolts that hold the bags on.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 522
Likes: 2
From: pennsylvania
you do one side at a time so the back end doesnt sag turn the preload up on one side and take off the other side that will support the bikes rear , then when you have that side done do the same for the other side
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 49
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From: Illinois(of course)
Thanks to all who replied. I did finally get some supports and a friend and I installed them. You are right by doing one side at a time we didn't have to support the bike. It would have helped to jack it up some to get better access under the fender as mentioned.
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