Totally pussed out!
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 744
Likes: 8
From: Pluto
Totally pussed out!
thought I'd try my hand at wrenching today...just got my HD manual afterall. Bikes got 24,000 miles (bought it with 21,000) so I thought I'd check the 15 engine mount bolts for tightness.
Followed the steps for purging the fuel supply lines. Good so far. disconnected the negative; cut cable strap around harnesses; and removed to bolts from console. Good so far. Disconnected fuel level sender, fuel guage, and fuel supply lines. Good again. Removed front bolts then back one. Propped tank on backbone. TIGHTENED 2 BOLTS AND FREAKED! Immediately had my brother help put it back together. Just couldn't handle it being apart like that. Was thinking, oh sh#t! This thing is never going to start again!
Nervously got it all back together and she runs fine. After a couple hours now, I am thinking....ok, that wasn't soooooo bad. Maybe, just maybe I'll try again someday.
Followed the steps for purging the fuel supply lines. Good so far. disconnected the negative; cut cable strap around harnesses; and removed to bolts from console. Good so far. Disconnected fuel level sender, fuel guage, and fuel supply lines. Good again. Removed front bolts then back one. Propped tank on backbone. TIGHTENED 2 BOLTS AND FREAKED! Immediately had my brother help put it back together. Just couldn't handle it being apart like that. Was thinking, oh sh#t! This thing is never going to start again!
Nervously got it all back together and she runs fine. After a couple hours now, I am thinking....ok, that wasn't soooooo bad. Maybe, just maybe I'll try again someday.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,655
Likes: 9
From: Northwest Arkansas
Sounds like you did OK. You paid attention to detail and remembered exactly how to put it back together, GOOD JOB!! The Parts Manual gives you a very good break down illustration of the bike to see how something goes together, that might be helpful if you choose to go further.
If you don't, don't sweat it. Do what you feel comfortable doing. Wrenching isn't necessarily for everybody, that's why there are a bunch of good Indy's out there as well as mechanics at the Dealer.
If you don't, don't sweat it. Do what you feel comfortable doing. Wrenching isn't necessarily for everybody, that's why there are a bunch of good Indy's out there as well as mechanics at the Dealer.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 414
From: Ellensburg, WA
I was the same way at one time, it'll grow on you. Give me a scattered out two stroke motor, blindfold and a set of metric wrenches and I can build a working engine. Four stroke, not so much (too many moving parts). That said, last winter I put 255 cams in my wife's bike, bought a air lift (handy's B.O.B. 1500) tire changer (no mar pro jr) and do all my own work (except electrical where I am still illiterate). Keep practicing.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,138
Likes: 5
From: NM, land of entrapment
I know the feeling. 
I presently have an entire banquet table covered with parts, bolts, gaskets, O rings and implements of destruction (tools) of every shape and size. I'm doing a big bore kit, cams, cam plate upgrade and probably shifter arm seal replacement all in one massive attack.
Either Murphy will win, or I will. Time will tell.
I presently have an entire banquet table covered with parts, bolts, gaskets, O rings and implements of destruction (tools) of every shape and size. I'm doing a big bore kit, cams, cam plate upgrade and probably shifter arm seal replacement all in one massive attack.Either Murphy will win, or I will. Time will tell.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 424
Likes: 2
From: Middle of Kansas
Nothing wrong with taking baby steps to increase your comfort level.
I'd been an accomplished gear head for years before I tore into my first Harley.
It was like starting over!
Once you figure them out,it's a walk in the park!
I'd been an accomplished gear head for years before I tore into my first Harley.
It was like starting over!
Once you figure them out,it's a walk in the park!
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 931
Likes: 112
From: Oregon
Big fan of wrenchin on your own stuff. First time may take 2 hours, second time 30 minutes because you've done it before.
Hang in there, if you screw it up, you can always take it in to the shop. They'll actually respect you for trying to do your own work.
Well maybe not all mechanics but my indie has shared alot of info with me...
Hang in there, if you screw it up, you can always take it in to the shop. They'll actually respect you for trying to do your own work.
Well maybe not all mechanics but my indie has shared alot of info with me...
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 591
Likes: 23
From: Statesboro, GA
Mom said I started taking stuff apart about age 2 so I guess it's in my blood. Growing up on a SE GA farm in the 60's and 70's you very rarely hired anyone to do anything. Either you figured it out or found someone to ask questios of.
Grew up around a bunch of old school bikers who's thinking was, "if you can't work on it, you don't need to be riding it".
Today at almost 50, almost nothing mechanical or electrical scares me. However, I am not too proud to ask for help. Someone once said, "The only stupid question is the one you didn't ask"
Hang in there and work at it slowly. Take pictures, make diagrams, whatever your method is for figuring things out and ask for help when needed. Oh, make sure you use good tools also. I have seen many screwups by knowledgable people using cheap tools.
Forums like this are wonderful with so many experienced people to solicit advice from. Wish they had been around in the middle 70's when I had my Suzuki GT750 in a million little pieces replacing a burned piston!
Lilman
Grew up around a bunch of old school bikers who's thinking was, "if you can't work on it, you don't need to be riding it".
Today at almost 50, almost nothing mechanical or electrical scares me. However, I am not too proud to ask for help. Someone once said, "The only stupid question is the one you didn't ask"
Hang in there and work at it slowly. Take pictures, make diagrams, whatever your method is for figuring things out and ask for help when needed. Oh, make sure you use good tools also. I have seen many screwups by knowledgable people using cheap tools.
Forums like this are wonderful with so many experienced people to solicit advice from. Wish they had been around in the middle 70's when I had my Suzuki GT750 in a million little pieces replacing a burned piston!
Lilman
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 10
From: Oh
Good for you. I started my mechanics at an early age on lawnmowers. Actually paid for my first bike while mowing lawns and repairing lawn mowers. If you can read a book, buying and using an HD service manual is the best investment a rider can make.
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 930
Likes: 4
From: Jacksonville, FL
It gets addicting. I think the most important lesson to learn is to take your time. If something isnt going right, you must have the discipline to walk away and come back later. Forcing things generally results in problems, trust me, thats experiance talking.