After I decked out my night train the past couple of years, and had the dealer do all the work...I dont even want to know how much money I put into service costs. Not with my new sg, I want to start doing the work myself, since I have a house and a garage now. First step is I want to swap out the pipes. If I go with the full system, I kow I gotta stage 1 it and upgrade teh air cleaner. Do you guys think this is a little too much of a job for a noob, or is it some what straightforward.

Anyone will to point me in the right direction with some pointers on exactly what Ill need so Im prepared?

 

you don't have to upgrade the air cleaner when you do pipes- but unless you do there will be little performance gain ( as the air is still restricted going into the motor.

Working on your bike requires mechanical aptitude and practices.

some have it, some don't- i had to go to school to get started in the right direction.

if you could find someone experienced to help you, someone who can recognize if perhaps the exhaust seal is stuck in the exhaust port, or could keep you from cross threading a sparkplug- and the resulting expensive fix as the head now has to come off.

Maybe a local Indy would do the work and allow you to help or watch.- you'd be surprised what you pick up just observing.

I am continually amazed by posts here from Guys who think they can do motor work when they've never worked on their mini van--- I guess because you can see it all, it is less of a mystery.

the factory manual, some good tools and some smarts are required. Knowing when to use a sealer, locktite or when to replace a fastener are all important.

so your question is one for the Guy in the mirror. If you can find a "Guru" you'd be off to a great start.

Mike

 

You make some good points Mike. I do have some very quialified friends, but they are a bit far away. Ill try to work something out with them.

What kinda a guitars you play? Im a player myself

 

Changing out your pipes and air cleaner assembly is extremely easy as the instructions as usually well written form most companies (like HD, V & H, Arlen Ness etc) Take your time and you will be fine. What you will need before attempting it is blue loctite and some anti- seize for the o2 sensors on the exhaust.

 

Just a suggestion if you plan on future DYI adventures. Go to the local Jr. College and take a mechanics course. Can't hurt.

The pipes and the ac are that big of a deal, but.....Murphy's laws says different.

 

As far as cross threading bolts, all bolt/sprk plugs/ and such should start with your hand for about 2 to 3 turns.

 

First step is to buy a factory service manual. From there, if you have a basic set of tools you can perform most simple jobs. You'll also need two torque wrenches - one for inch lbs and one for foot lbs. Changing exhaust and air cleaner is what i would consider simple jobs.

 

Until you start getting into really serious work, like cams or primary work, these bikes are really pretty simple to work on.

Take your time, get a service manual, and start turning wrenches. If you're really going to start working on it, get tools you need as you need them. Don't try to use the wrong tools for the wrong jobs.

Oh, it's a good idea to take pictures as you progress through the job. It never hurts to have a reference on how things were put together, or how cables were run.

 

If you do your exhaust yourself, one thing I will suggest is don't tighten any of the bolts until all of the exhaust is assembled on the bike and adjusted correctly. Then start at the front and work your way back tightening all the bolts!!

 

Exhaust is a good first project. There is really not much you can mess up. I am not a mechanic by any means but, I've finished several ambitious projects on my motorcycles. I find that if I work slowly and lay parts out in order during disassembly, the work is fairly easy. On complicated projects, I will take photos of things as I disassemble so I can remember the way everything is supposed to work. You can do it.