Chrome switch housing install...OH CRAP it aint easy!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
RE: Chrome switch housing install...OH CRAP it aint easy!
Some jobs are easier with small hands/fingers--this is one of them. The various switch wires need to routed, especially the bottom switches, correctly for an easier (not easy) reassembly.
Oh yeah, wait until you add cruise control and have an additional switch and set of wires to fit in that lower right switch housing.
Just be super careful when reassembling the housings because it is very easy to pinch/short a wire--after the frustration of getting it back together, think of the pleasure of taking it apart and finding why the radio controls aren't working correctly any more--don't ask how I know.
Oh yeah, wait until you add cruise control and have an additional switch and set of wires to fit in that lower right switch housing.
Just be super careful when reassembling the housings because it is very easy to pinch/short a wire--after the frustration of getting it back together, think of the pleasure of taking it apart and finding why the radio controls aren't working correctly any more--don't ask how I know.
RE: Chrome switch housing install...OH CRAP it aint easy!
THIS IS THE MOST BALL BREAKIN JOB OF ALL.. iF U CAN SHRINK UR FINGERS IT MAY HELP. gET A BUDDY TO HOLD THE "SHELL" THEN YOU WORK WITH THE MINI SWITCHES.AND I MEAN MINI... iVE DONE A FEW OF THESE.,.. BUT I AINT DOIN NO MORE !
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
From: Delaware
RE: Chrome switch housing install...OH CRAP it aint easy!
Yep, been there and done that! My bride bought me the chrome covers last December. I put them on and pinched a wire. The pinched wire came from the brake switch. However, I did finally get it after several hours and a bit of cussing. Looks good and was worth it.
I'm thinking with all the experience on my switches maybe I'll retire and be a switch cover expert at the dealer.
I'm thinking with all the experience on my switches maybe I'll retire and be a switch cover expert at the dealer.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,947
Likes: 5
From: Ontario, Canada
RE: Chrome switch housing install...OH CRAP it aint easy!
It is a bit of a pia, but do able. Take your time, if you get frustrated, just walk away and come back later. Make it a bunch of small (really small) jobs and not one big one. A magnetic screwdriver is a big help when your trying to get that little screw in there by all those wires and it keeps slipping off the screwdriver.
I'm no mechanic, butI did mine and a buddy's.
Would I do it again? Yep, I'd sooner screw around with it myself as pay someone $90 an hour to do it. It's not complicated, just a little frustrating.
You can and will do it.
I'm no mechanic, butI did mine and a buddy's.
Would I do it again? Yep, I'd sooner screw around with it myself as pay someone $90 an hour to do it. It's not complicated, just a little frustrating.
You can and will do it.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: ma
RE: Chrome switch housing install...OH CRAP it aint easy!
Did mine last summer, not too hard I though....then it wouldn't start
. Realized it was just a blown fuse from pinching the wire too tight, so have spare fuses just in case. Also make sure the wires sit in the groove under the handlebars or the clamshells won't squeeze together
. Realized it was just a blown fuse from pinching the wire too tight, so have spare fuses just in case. Also make sure the wires sit in the groove under the handlebars or the clamshells won't squeeze together
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 4
From:
RE: Chrome switch housing install...OH CRAP it aint easy!
[sm=laughat.gif] Just kidding.....
Just take your time and you'll be just fine, GOOD LUCK..................
Just take your time and you'll be just fine, GOOD LUCK..................
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,663
Likes: 7
From: Northeast Ohio
RE: Chrome switch housing install...OH CRAP it aint easy!
[sm=WTFsgign.gif]were you thinking?
Did mine on my 03 with cruise and it is a PITA but do-able. Helps if you have ahds and fingers the size of a six year old. As other have said, take your time so that you dont pinch any wires as disassembly and reassembly only add to the misery. But they do look good when done!
Did mine on my 03 with cruise and it is a PITA but do-able. Helps if you have ahds and fingers the size of a six year old. As other have said, take your time so that you dont pinch any wires as disassembly and reassembly only add to the misery. But they do look good when done!
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 185
Likes: 1
From: Lynden, WA
RE: Chrome switch housing install...OH CRAP it aint easy!
Did mine about 2 years ago. I just took my time and everything went well except for the chrome switch caps. I ended up breaking cruise control switch and had to replace it, talk about a pain the a$$ soldering the wires and shrink wrapping tubing around the connections and getting it all to fit back in the housing. Lesson learned, don't force things. I do like the chrome over the stock black though.