Removing wheels

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Apr 13, 2023 | 03:36 PM

#41

barneyboy

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Joined: Dec 2017

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From: Plover, WI

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxxym

I looked in the manual. Mine has to be with the wheel on the ground. However, I am little confused. My bike is 2019 SGS, which is FLHXS. I have Legends shocks, which I would think are not classified as "low profile), but standard. They are 13 inch, so they are higher than stock. On the table, it says "All except FLHXS" for standard shocks. Does that mean, it does not apply to my bike? If not, then what measurament would apply?

Your question would be best answered by Legends.

Apr 13, 2023 | 04:48 PM

#42

Jackie Paper

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Joined: Mar 2010

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From: Honah Lee

On the ground unladen. You cruiser has the swing arm tied to rear of transmission. The rear suspension does not affect belt tension.

Unlike a older Softail with a solid mounted engine and the rear swing arm mounted to frame. Since they are off-center of each other, you take the best average with rider laying on seat if they are doing the checking

Does anyone have a Cruiser or Dana model that says something other then wheel on ground unladen?

Always check with gage. Belts wear and stretch just a tad over their life time. Set a new belt to tight end of tolerance. Used to the middle.

There is little difference in hanging and on the ground on a Cruiser and Dana. Other then bushing give. Sorta like tighten bolts on rubber mounted suspension components, you always do it laden.

Last edited by Jackie Paper; Apr 13, 2023 at 05:00 PM.

Apr 13, 2023 | 05:16 PM

#43

Rounders

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Joined: Mar 2021

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From: backwoods

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullwinkle58

Wiser ones that know far more than me say it's better to disregard the mark you made, and adjust it per the manual with a belt tension gauge.

I have never heard that advice. That is bad advice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxxym

Good to know. I thought it would at least give me approximate tension.

EDIT: Nvermind.. I found my answer from Doc Harley video. On the jiffy stand or jack but with tire on the ground.

Marking it will speed up the process of checking tension. Get you close. If you don't ,mark it you start way off, and have to screw around getting close enough to check.
I have found some stuff inaccurate on his videos about what years are what.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 702

I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, ec.

We agree on something,

Years ago you did not have to put slack in the belt to remove it. So when installing the tire, it went back to the exact same tension. 87k mikes have not adjusted. Put new belt on, and was surprised it was good there too. Need to check now for some stretch.

The newer style where you have to adjust the belt each time sucks for tire changes, but is easy for adjusting.

I use a paint stick, shapries allways smeared off.

I don't know about your year, but in the past 13" was standard height for shocks. I though FLHXs came with 12.5 which is why the ride was bad. They do give different specs for my years based on model. My bikes can be adjsuted in air. But just follow manual for your year.

Apr 13, 2023 | 05:19 PM

#44

Rounders

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Joined: Mar 2021

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From: backwoods

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackie Paper

On the ground unladen. You cruiser has the swing arm tied to rear of transmission. The rear suspension does not affect belt tension.
den.

Why do they have different specs for FLHX? Atleast they do for my year.

Apr 13, 2023 | 05:26 PM

#45

GOGOBECK

Road Warrior

Joined: Apr 2018

Posts: 1,347

Likes: 820

From: Moneta, Virginia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vernal;[url=tel:21161626

21161626[/url]]Check tire rotation when you pick up the tires, don't wait until you get home.

I had a buddy that when picking up his bike from the dealership, following having a new rear tire installed, noticed a dent in his heat shield. He informed the service manager, the SM went on and on about the training and certifications all the techs go through, didn’t do it, couldn’t have done it yada yada yada.
He then noticed the rotation mark on the tire… he replied “ your top notch trained and certified tech put my tire on backwards” They replaced the damaged heat shield too.

Apr 13, 2023 | 05:31 PM

#46

Rounders

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Joined: Mar 2021

Posts: 17,929

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From: backwoods

How would you dent a heat shield?

Apr 13, 2023 | 05:38 PM

#47

GOGOBECK

Road Warrior

Joined: Apr 2018

Posts: 1,347

Likes: 820

From: Moneta, Virginia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rounders;[url=tel:21163542

21163542[/url]]How would you dent a heat shield?

I bet you’re fun at parties!
I don’t know, it’s just a funny story from 20 years ago.

Apr 13, 2023 | 05:47 PM

#48

LQQK_OUT

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Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 5,879

Likes: 1,894

From: East Coast, USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullwinkle58

Wiser ones that know far more than me say it's better to disregard the mark you made, and adjust it per the manual with a belt tension gauge.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rounders

I have never heard that advice. That is bad advice.

@Rounders Care to explain why this is bad advice? I'm fairly certain the Harley factory service manual says to use a belt tension gauge to check belt deflection.