I have to open up the batwing to swap the windshield. Anything else I should look at upgrading while I am in there? It is a stock 05 ultra classic Electra glide. I am thinking about the sound system, but hesitant to put the $$ into that. What else should I consider?

 

You don't have to open up anything to swap the windshield. There's plenty of give just to pop the three bolts and do the job.

Only four more bolts to pull the outer off, should take about 5 minutes.

 

Three screws, possibly a piece of metal trim that holds all three.
Strongly suggest you adapt a “snug” the screws when tightening them up.. I’m a ham fist and have pulled the plastic inserts a time or two.

Loved my 05 Ultra, great bike.

Now…WANT to upgrade is the question. Speakers, Amp, etc. If you’re not sure…swap the windshield, it’s a 5 minute job…and do your research and figure out what you want to do with sound.
To pull the batwing cover, when you’re ready…is 10 minutes. A couple more screws and the headlight plug.

 

More importantly, if it’s off make sure you check the four fairing brackets for breaks.

 

Things to think abt when replacing the screws.....

1. Torquing the right pressure. (I suspect there is one.)
2. Not over tightening as stated above. (Ham fisting.)
3. Using loctite
4. At the very least, check the screws from loosening/falling out several times after riding the bike.

 

I wouldn't use loctite. You are just asking to pull those inserts out.

 

No Loctite! If the screws come loose, tighten them again later. Loctite is a great product for many places on a Harley, but this ain't one.

 

Until you get used to removing the outer shell, I read somewhere to put a pair of gym socks over the aux lights so you don't mark up the fairing. I also put a towel on the front fender just in case. You will need to hold the shell with one hand and unplug the headlight with the other. I remove the 4 inner screws first then the 3 windshield screw, center one last. As stated above, tighten them back up with care, very easy to pull the brass insert out. I've re-glued those things too many time to count.

I check to make sure everything is tight, bulbs may need to be replaced so that's a good time to do it.

 

Lots of good advice for removing the batwing. The tips about using socks on the passing lights and a towel on the fender is priceless.

One other tip, once you have the windscreen off, insert the center screw back in loosely to keep the batwing from dropping while you remove the other screws securing the faring. Give the mounting brackets, the speaker brackets, and the mounting posts a really good inspection. If the brackets are broken, there are aftermarket kits to repair them without needing to remove them from the bike. Some have also replaced the upper broken tab (common failure) with DIY L-brackets. A broken mounting post is a little tougher to fix. I'm in the middle of trying to repair one broken and one cracked post in my 2003.

Go slow and have fun!

 

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