how hard is it to change pads on touring harley, front and rear?

 

Not hard. Rear can be more of a PITA on bikes pre '08 or '09 since the caliper cannot be removed without pulling the axle. You can pull the pins and slide the pads out and new ones back in without removing, but I learned the hard way that the pistons (especially on the front) get dirty and don't like being shoved back in to the bores without being cleaned first.

There's a good writeup at Motorcycle Metal on servicing calipers/pads. I was a skeptic until I didn't clean the pistons and had to re-do the whole job because they were sticking and wouldn't retract.

 

You do not bave to pull the axle on the 09'!!

 

I had no problem on my 07 rear. I let the air out of the tire so that there was some give.

 

I haven't changed the front yet, but I didn't have to for the rear. (09 Ultra)