Detachable Hardware Question?
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 450
Likes: 2
From: Loudon TN. (30 miles from The Dragon)
Detachable Hardware Question?
Was putting the 4 point docking hardware on my new RG last night and ran into a problem. One side went on in less than 5 minutes......the other side is giving me grief. Problem is the 3 holes on my fender strut cover dont match up with the 3 holes on the detachable hardware. I am convinced the 3 holes on the new hardware are correct. Maybe the holes on the fender strut cover have been stamped out incorrectly. Has anyone run into this and if so what do you do about it. Any feedback will be appreciated.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 715
Likes: 1
I sort-of did the same thing. I took a set of RG strut covers, had them powdercoated to install on my FLHTP. Mine went on smooth as butter. You can check if they were punched correctly by merely removing the covers and comparing them back-to-back, same goes for the mounting kit. It's quick and easy.
Learn one thing from my costly lesson. The detachable items? They fit REAL tight adjacent to the strut covers, and I mean CLOSE. On my old Road King ('04) I merely clipped the front part in first, clipped the rear down onto the mounting points and I was good to go. On my newly powdercoated strut covers (did I mention I just got them back, uh, newly done? yeah I did!) then I put my solo rack on the bike--at a modest angle--the solo rack scraped off 1 1/2 inches of powdercoat when I removed the solo rack right after I released those black thumb clips on the sides. As I did that, the rack angled slightly forward (normal) and SCRAPE, ruined the strut covers. So, I'm guessing it would have scratched the chrome as well. Something to be mindful of because Harley did not exactly match the shape correctly. Beware.
Abd good luck.
Learn one thing from my costly lesson. The detachable items? They fit REAL tight adjacent to the strut covers, and I mean CLOSE. On my old Road King ('04) I merely clipped the front part in first, clipped the rear down onto the mounting points and I was good to go. On my newly powdercoated strut covers (did I mention I just got them back, uh, newly done? yeah I did!) then I put my solo rack on the bike--at a modest angle--the solo rack scraped off 1 1/2 inches of powdercoat when I removed the solo rack right after I released those black thumb clips on the sides. As I did that, the rack angled slightly forward (normal) and SCRAPE, ruined the strut covers. So, I'm guessing it would have scratched the chrome as well. Something to be mindful of because Harley did not exactly match the shape correctly. Beware.
Abd good luck.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 450
Likes: 2
From: Loudon TN. (30 miles from The Dragon)
Thanks for the feedback. I found a strut cover in stock at one of the several local HD stores around here. I took mine there for comparison and sure enough the holes were stamped out wrong. As you might expect they said "we never seen this before" But they did do the right thing and give me the new strut cover for free and sent mine back to HD. So it turned out ok other than the three hours of my life I wasted trying to put a strut cover on that wouldnt fit! Thanks again.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 715
Likes: 1
Thanks for the feedback. I found a strut cover in stock at one of the several local HD stores around here. I took mine there for comparison and sure enough the holes were stamped out wrong. As you might expect they said "we never seen this before" But they did do the right thing and give me the new strut cover for free and sent mine back to HD. So it turned out ok other than the three hours of my life I wasted trying to put a strut cover on that wouldnt fit! Thanks again.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 436
Likes: 3
Damn, now ya got me worried. I've had a the 4 point detach kit sitting in my office for a month now, and still waiting until I by the trunk to install it. I guess I should check out my RGC to see if it was stamped out right huh.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 450
Likes: 2
From: Loudon TN. (30 miles from The Dragon)
This is one of those things that if you never put the docking hardware on you would never know it. I really believe this may be more common than people realize. If the dealer installs it they may choose to "make it fit" I chose not to and it paid off. But thats just me, I'm **** about that kinda thing. For the money we pay for these bikes and accesories you should never have to make something fit! If you look back at a lot of threads on here i have seen numerous times where people say its is a pain to get their tour pack on and off....... It don't fit quite right! This could be one reason why. Mine fits like a glove on my 2010 Roadie. 15 seconds on and 15 off.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: ST. Louis
I had bought the Black Strut Covers and everything fits perfect. I don't have a clue if the stock chrome ones are right or not.
If you have an '09 model bike, you might as well put them on now. There is only one way and placement to them. Unlike the '08 and earlier detachable hoops that can and must be adjusted.
If you have an '09 model bike, you might as well put them on now. There is only one way and placement to them. Unlike the '08 and earlier detachable hoops that can and must be adjusted.
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diddy0230
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Jan 13, 2012 04:58 PM
