Changing Fork Legs 06 & Newer
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1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Changing Fork Legs 06 & Newer
Has anyone tried to change the fork legs on an 06 or 07 bagger without the new fork compressor? Can this be done in a home work shop oris this not possible without the new tools?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,253
Likes: 1
From: Southeastern Michigan
RE: Changing Fork Legs 06 & Newer
I did mine with no special tools. I used a bench vice, and a pair of rubber palmed gloves to remove the end cap. When you remove the end cap there is a little pressure from the spring, but nothing you can't handle. I also installed the 1" lowering kit from Harley. that made it harder to put back together, but no biggy! I say go for it !
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,926
Likes: 138
From: NE Ohio
RE: Changing Fork Legs 06 & Newer
Put on chrome lowers and lowering springs, like taking a walk in the park. I did buy the special sockets to get the caps off in the fairing and take the top plugs off the fork tubes. One could improvise if they didn't want to buy them.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
RE: Changing Fork Legs 06 & Newer
I called the Dealer,they said to bring it in for oil change.Does the cartrige just fall out once the cap is off?I changed the oil by taking the loeg off and pouring oil in the drain hole.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 546
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From:
RE: Changing Fork Legs 06 & Newer
One could improvise if they didn't want to buy them.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,813
Likes: 6
From: Rio Grande Valley-Texas
RE: Changing Fork Legs 06 & Newer
Change the lowers on my 06 for chrome ones. The first side took about 4 hrs, the second about 1 hr. There was a learning curve there!
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Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 20
From: Greater St Louis, MO
RE: Changing Fork Legs 06 & Newer
No compressor is needed. I did chrome lowers and progressive springs, with no problems.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 721
Likes: 1
From: Buckeye, AZ
RE: Changing Fork Legs 06 & Newer
Just did this last night. The toughest part is getting the spring compressed down into the tube then keeping it in there as you thread theplug down. If you have someone available to help just put a wrench on theplug and as you push the spring/plug down into the tube and get it bottomed out have the other person screw it in.
I wish I had know that the 36mm wrench in the tool kit fit those caps. I went and spent $36 on a wrench from Sears, although I bought a 1 3/8 SAE. [&:]
I'll also share my experience making the tube clamp tool. I just went to Home Depot and bought a 2' piece of 1" flat steel. Used my vice and a BFH to creat the "v" shape in the metal, drilled two holes, one on either sideof the "v" and used a wing nut and 7/16 hex head bolt. Padded the "V" with some rubber strips and viola you have yourself the tube clamp. Cost less than $15. Also for the long 6mm allen wrench you'll need for the screws at the bottom of the fork sliders I just bought a cheap set of metric allen wrenches from Wal-Mart for $.99 and a 6mm socket from AutoZone. Cut the angled end of the 6mm allen wrench off and used a little epoxy to glue it inside the 6mm socket. Worked like a charm.
Good luck with this. You can do it yourself, but as one poster said there's a learning curve so expect to spend a litlte time with it.
I wish I had know that the 36mm wrench in the tool kit fit those caps. I went and spent $36 on a wrench from Sears, although I bought a 1 3/8 SAE. [&:]
I'll also share my experience making the tube clamp tool. I just went to Home Depot and bought a 2' piece of 1" flat steel. Used my vice and a BFH to creat the "v" shape in the metal, drilled two holes, one on either sideof the "v" and used a wing nut and 7/16 hex head bolt. Padded the "V" with some rubber strips and viola you have yourself the tube clamp. Cost less than $15. Also for the long 6mm allen wrench you'll need for the screws at the bottom of the fork sliders I just bought a cheap set of metric allen wrenches from Wal-Mart for $.99 and a 6mm socket from AutoZone. Cut the angled end of the 6mm allen wrench off and used a little epoxy to glue it inside the 6mm socket. Worked like a charm.
Good luck with this. You can do it yourself, but as one poster said there's a learning curve so expect to spend a litlte time with it.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 808
Likes: 4
From:
RE: Changing Fork Legs 06 & Newer
Try this:
https://www.hdforums.com/m_384080/tm.htm
and this..
http://groups.msn.com/toddsharleypix...eforkswap.msnw
Later
https://www.hdforums.com/m_384080/tm.htm
and this..
http://groups.msn.com/toddsharleypix...eforkswap.msnw
Later