I have been stalking this forum for a while but now I have a question. I have a 2011 Forty Eight and a couple weeks ago a lady backed into it in a parking lot. Bike didnt tip, just damage to the front fender and right side lower fork. I got the insurance check the other day and Im looking into seeing if replacing the lower fork is something I can do. (I work on cars and have plenty of tools, this is my first motorcycle) I also have the service manual but that just shows how to disassemble the entire thing. Could someone point me in a direction of a how-to or give me a quick guide to replacing the lower fork slider? If it does involve disassembling everything I will just take it to the dealer since insurance is paying for it, just hoping to do it myself and pocket some cash.

Heres a pic since Im new! (my bike next to a nightster at work)

 

Also if I do these myself, does anyone know if anyone makes chrome fork sliders for the 48?

 

Ok, here goes. Raise the front of the bike off the ground far enough to take the front wheel off. After taking wheel off unscrew the allen head bolt in the bottom of the slider. put a coffee can under it because the fork will drain from here. Remove the large plug at the top of the fork leg (be careful there will be pressure on it from the internal spring). Pull out the spring and work the slider up and down to get all the oil out. Loosen the top and bottom triple clamp bolts and slide the entire leg out the bottom. Slide the dust cover up the leg. Take the snapp ring out that holds the seal in place. Grip the leg in one hand and the slider in the other and work it like a slide hammer. turn the slider on end on the work bench and let the other parts slide out. Pay close attention to order in which comes out etc. Then reassemble in reverse order and fill proper amount of fork oil. By the way use a new seal and snap ring.
Have fun.

 

My $.02 and some pics are in these threads:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...005-1200c.html

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...-07-883-a.html