Forward controls
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 7
Frankly, it depends on how good of a mechanic you are. I've done it twice now on two different Sporties. The first time I did it without removal of the exhausts, but I had to get very clever when it came to the rear brake linkage. By time I did the second set, I had experience removing the exhausts and realized how easy it was - easier than repeating the trick I had used the first time that prevented me removing them, so I took only the front off.
It makes getting at that rear brake linkage a whole lot easier, but is it necessary - the answer is a definitive no. This is on stock pipes and on V&H shortshots/staggered.
It makes getting at that rear brake linkage a whole lot easier, but is it necessary - the answer is a definitive no. This is on stock pipes and on V&H shortshots/staggered.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Dubai, originally Syrian
Sorry to resurrect a zombie here, but I have been trying my butt off for about 3 days now with abortive work to get to the rear linkage bolt without removing the muffler because i simply ended up stripping both of the front muffler bolts and I would like to NOT go through the hassle of getting them off if I do not absolutely have to. It had SE street performance slip ons installed back in 2008 by the dealership and never had the bolts turned since then. So yeah, i was thinking of doing something a little stupid (or "creative" as I'd like to call it) by trying to bend a torx screw driver 90 degrees after heating it up so i could maneuvre my way without removing the muffler. Anyone tried doing it any other way (as I doubt people would do such stupid stuff anyway) and had any luck?
It's a 2008 XL1200R and I'm (as most others) trying to install the forward controls kit.
Cheers,
Sami
It's a 2008 XL1200R and I'm (as most others) trying to install the forward controls kit.
Cheers,
Sami
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 557
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
I also have the 08 1200R. Love it. I put my controls forward too. Love it.
I would bite the bullet and remove the stripped bolts, exhaust, and put in new hardware including exhaust seals.
I went with v& h blackout 2:1. Looks and sounds great. Be patient and take a break when you get pissed off.
I would bite the bullet and remove the stripped bolts, exhaust, and put in new hardware including exhaust seals.
I went with v& h blackout 2:1. Looks and sounds great. Be patient and take a break when you get pissed off.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton,Alberta
*Disclaimer* I am only speaking from my limited personal experience doing this install recently.
I did this a few weeks ago and it is well worth it , had a friend help and we took off the exhaust . I have Rinehart exhaust which made it look very hard to get to the bolts with the bike just on a kickstand. If the heads of the bolts are stripped your going to have to remove them at some point . Get some non- marred head Torx sockets before you start if they stripped a bolt already. Better to get them out without having to drill them out , tap and hope you didn't wreck something. It's 2 socket head bolts in a flange connecting the exhaust to the engine right . Use vise grips to get the old ones off if there socket head and install new ones, mini vice grips I should say , or there is self locking ratchet sockets made to grip as you apply force on the outside of the bolt head . It's a pain in the *** getting the exhaust back on , well for me it was .Check that you make sure the shifter link is extended on both sides with the same amount of threads showing and the actual shifter arm is at 45 degree angle dry fitting before tightening it to the holes on the left side install.
I did this a few weeks ago and it is well worth it , had a friend help and we took off the exhaust . I have Rinehart exhaust which made it look very hard to get to the bolts with the bike just on a kickstand. If the heads of the bolts are stripped your going to have to remove them at some point . Get some non- marred head Torx sockets before you start if they stripped a bolt already. Better to get them out without having to drill them out , tap and hope you didn't wreck something. It's 2 socket head bolts in a flange connecting the exhaust to the engine right . Use vise grips to get the old ones off if there socket head and install new ones, mini vice grips I should say , or there is self locking ratchet sockets made to grip as you apply force on the outside of the bolt head . It's a pain in the *** getting the exhaust back on , well for me it was .Check that you make sure the shifter link is extended on both sides with the same amount of threads showing and the actual shifter arm is at 45 degree angle dry fitting before tightening it to the holes on the left side install.