Is installing the docking hardware difficult?
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 238
Likes: 18
From: Canada
I bought the docking hardware kit for a detachable sissy bar. I had a conversation with the dealer where he advised that I have a harley mechanic do it, because it's really frustrating and time-consuming.
I've done similar installations on different bikes and understand how aligning holes, holding things up while re-assembling, etc. can be difficult.
Any of you guys do the installation on your own, share your thoughts? The dealership charges 2 hrs to do this work, which is unbelievable to me.
I've done similar installations on different bikes and understand how aligning holes, holding things up while re-assembling, etc. can be difficult.
Any of you guys do the installation on your own, share your thoughts? The dealership charges 2 hrs to do this work, which is unbelievable to me.
Here's the deal: The kit actually is very easy to install. Seriously. We're not talking about any fancy tools or any mechanical know-how. All that it consists of, is merely pulling a few of the stock bolts out of your bike, and then replacing them with the bolts that come with the kit. Very simple procedure and no big deal. EXCEPT FOR ONE THING!!! The strut bolts go through a number of layers of sheet metal. When you remove the bolt, these layers can slightly shift, which makes it really difficult to replace the bolt. You try and try and try, and just can't get them to thread back in. This is the point where plenty of swearing occurs, and it really helps if you have plenty of beer, and a few spare tools for throwing around the garage! (Try not to hit the bike though!)
So the installation can take as little as 10 minutes, if you can immediately get the bolt to thread into place, OR... it can take over an hour if you are have trouble with the alignment. For the record, it took me 10 minutes to do one side, and 45 minutes for the second side! I don't think I've ever gotten so mad at a bolt before!!! :-)
You should definitely do the docking installation yourself. Don't pay for two hours of dealer shop time for basically installing a couple of bolts. But just be prepared to exercise a little patience as you try to get the bolts to seat. One tip I read -- after the fact (so I didn't get to try it) -- is that supposedly if you put the bike up on a lift, it takes some pressure off of the bolts and makes it easier to get them into place.
Good luck!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
If you get frustrated easy with things like holes not aligning up you may want to have them do it. As many have noted it can be a hassle and the instructions are poorly written. I can tell you I have ton alot of mods (grips, footboards, fork rebuilds, horns, stereo, fog lights, tires, shifter pegs, brake levers, true track, shocks) but for various reasons this was the worse.
As was suggested, have plenty of beer and pad the entire garage with blankets and/or matresses, as you'll need protection when you start throwing tools. Also, move the car outside and children inside, preferably out of hearing distance, as I covered the entire gamut of four-letter words in multiples. Make sure the bike is covered in blankets, too.
I would say if the dealer would do the job for $100 or less I would just let them do it. Otherwise I would just plan on an ordeal and allocate plenty of time and patience. Maybe some transcendental meditation before the job would help.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 787
Likes: 3
From: Central Florida
I'm pretty sure the instructions were written by someone who had never seen a bike or the docking kit before in their life.
The ones from the 'net linked above are orders of magnitude better.
Matt
The ones from the 'net linked above are orders of magnitude better.
Matt
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 45
From: Michigan
the earlier kits compliment a number of years .. read all the instructions . Relax and have a beer while you do it
.. The kit tells you to replace fasteners that really dont have to be replaced and by retaining the stock fasteners IMHO it looks like a better installation. I did mine in the dead of winter and took extra time but it still didnt take that long and it looks and works great .......
.. The kit tells you to replace fasteners that really dont have to be replaced and by retaining the stock fasteners IMHO it looks like a better installation. I did mine in the dead of winter and took extra time but it still didnt take that long and it looks and works great .......
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