Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

20 Minute Job That Took Almost 2 Hrs.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 21, 2012 | 09:10 AM
  #1  
dobeman21's Avatar
dobeman21
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Default 20 Minute Job That Took Almost 2 Hrs.

Wanted to put a sissy bar on my wife's Seventy Two. Have done this with other bikes- remove fender bolts and replace with docking hardware-no big deal- WRONG!! I found that the lock washers that were supposed to hold the front fender bolt in place didn't really do any locking and just turned with the bolt when unfastening them. So, I had to wiggle my hand and needle nose pliers into the small area between the inside fender and the tire to hold the lock washers in place while I used the torx socket to get the bolts out- not easy to fit in there. Eventually the job got done, but again, another example of the MoCo making what should be a very easy task as difficult as possible.
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2012 | 09:35 AM
  #2  
sfad's Avatar
sfad
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Brunei
Default

Probably the same reason to make a thief's life difficult as well
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2012 | 10:02 AM
  #3  
dobeman21's Avatar
dobeman21
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Default

That is possible- hopefully that is the reason (of course the sissy bar could be removed in a second). Don't know of any way to lock that down.

Just did a search for detachable locks and there is at least one company making locks.

Originally Posted by sfad
Probably the same reason to make a thief's life difficult as well
 

Last edited by dobeman21; Nov 21, 2012 at 10:16 AM.
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2012 | 10:05 AM
  #4  
toastman's Avatar
toastman
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 7,079
Likes: 21
From: Queens, NY
Default

Originally Posted by sfad
Probably the same reason to make a thief's life difficult as well
who the hell would steal a fender?
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2012 | 10:26 AM
  #5  
Big Lebowski's Avatar
Big Lebowski
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 755
Likes: 6
From: Kansas
Default

Yeah, been there when doing it on my 48. It took a second set of hands.

My sissy bar carries my laptop bag. My back and shoulders love it.
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2012 | 12:46 PM
  #6  
DOMAPOI's Avatar
DOMAPOI
Stellar HDF Member
Photogenic
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,335
Likes: 27
From: San Diego, CA
Default

Originally Posted by dobeman21
Wanted to put a sissy bar on my wife's Seventy Two. Have done this with other bikes- remove fender bolts and replace with docking hardware-no big deal- WRONG!! I found that the lock washers that were supposed to hold the front fender bolt in place didn't really do any locking and just turned with the bolt when unfastening them. So, I had to wiggle my hand and needle nose pliers into the small area between the inside fender and the tire to hold the lock washers in place while I used the torx socket to get the bolts out- not easy to fit in there. Eventually the job got done, but again, another example of the MoCo making what should be a very easy task as difficult as possible.
Maybe it took so long because you were removing bolts on the front fender to put a sissy bar quick release mounts on the rear. I can see where that would make it take a bit longer.
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2012 | 02:55 PM
  #7  
HarleyScuba's Avatar
HarleyScuba
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,007
Likes: 126
From: Manassas, VA
Default

We know you were talking about the front bolt on the rear fender.

Here's one of my favorite little "custom" fabrications anyone can do with a hack saw:
With all-thread (5/16" with 18 thread pitch), bungee nuts (5/16"x18) and some red Loctite (high strength), I made some bungee bolts that secure the docking hardware.
Take the all-thread rod and thread on four spare nuts. Two of them about 2" from the ends (one each end) and two of them in the center of the all-thread. Apply red Loctite to the ends of the all-thread. Screw the bungee nuts to the ends of the all-thread and tighten them at the same time. Use the bolts that come with the appropriate docking hardware kit to determine the length of the newly assembled bungee bolts. After cutting the all-thread, remove the spare nuts. This will repair the threads after the all-thread has been cut. A file may be used to clean the ends a little more. Repeat, and you have four bungee bolts. Blue Loctite (medium strength) when installing them on the bike. I think some people simply install the docking hardware bolts in from the back so that the threads stick out from the fender strut and then install the bungee nuts (you can't use the shouldered bolts that come with the docking kit because they have to thread all the way through). The backwards bolt method was too easy, so I had to make a project out of it (plus, I wanted to ensure the bolts were long enough).
I had some powder coated black, but I didn't like the black so I went with chrome.






 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2012 | 08:20 PM
  #8  
sfad's Avatar
sfad
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Brunei
Default

You never know. People do crazy stuff all the time

Originally Posted by toastman
who the hell would steal a fender?
 
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 Nov 21, 2012 | 08:24 PM
  #9  
sfad's Avatar
sfad
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Brunei
Default

I purchased a detachable sissy bar from a user here with a "key lock" on one of the locking mechanism. Not sure where he got it though.

Originally Posted by dobeman21
That is possible- hopefully that is the reason (of course the sissy bar could be removed in a second). Don't know of any way to lock that down.

Just did a search for detachable locks and there is at least one company making locks.
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2012 | 10:55 PM
  #10  
baka1969's Avatar
baka1969
Extreme HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
Default

Originally Posted by HarleyScuba
We know you were talking about the front bolt on the rear fender.

Here's one of my favorite little "custom" fabrications anyone can do with a hack saw:
With all-thread (5/16" with 18 thread pitch), bungee nuts (5/16"x18) and some red Loctite (high strength), I made some bungee bolts that secure the docking hardware.
Take the all-thread rod and thread on four spare nuts. Two of them about 2" from the ends (one each end) and two of them in the center of the all-thread. Apply red Loctite to the ends of the all-thread. Screw the bungee nuts to the ends of the all-thread and tighten them at the same time. Use the bolts that come with the appropriate docking hardware kit to determine the length of the newly assembled bungee bolts. After cutting the all-thread, remove the spare nuts. This will repair the threads after the all-thread has been cut. A file may be used to clean the ends a little more. Repeat, and you have four bungee bolts. Blue Loctite (medium strength) when installing them on the bike. I think some people simply install the docking hardware bolts in from the back so that the threads stick out from the fender strut and then install the bungee nuts (you can't use the shouldered bolts that come with the docking kit because they have to thread all the way through). The backwards bolt method was too easy, so I had to make a project out of it (plus, I wanted to ensure the bolts were long enough).
I had some powder coated black, but I didn't like the black so I went with chrome.






Nice. It's always a good idea to have extra bungee spots.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:36 PM.

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