I have a vivid black 2011 ultra limited and would like to put red screaming eagle sparkplug wires on it. Strictly for looks, I just think the red wires would add a little "pop" to the look. Anyway, I'm not sure how to switch them out. Do I have to take the gas tank off? Never done that. The long wire is tucked up underneath and it feels like its clipped in. I wouldn't be able to clip the new wire back up there. Thanks for any advice.

 

The computer needs to see certain resistance in the sparkplug wires and plugs, otherwise it may not manage the motor properly- "thinking" that the motor is misfiring and throwing codes and all kinds of problems---in a worse case scenario.

a few riders have changed to "performance" plugs or wires to end up with a result opposite of "performance".

check with your parts guys before doing this.

otherwise a wire swap is easy.

use a little dielectric grease on the inside of the connector boots on install

mike

 

take the seat off, take the bolts out of the rear of the tank. loosen the bolts holding the front of the tank and then lift the rear up and put a small piece of 2x4 or something that size under the rear of the tank to hold it up a bit. then squeeze the boots of the plugs under the seat and twist, then pull them off. if you have some needle nose pliers you can then grab the clips attatched to the plug wires towards the front of the tank and pop them out. you will need to get more of the clip/ties from harley. they're a buck a piece. I routed my wires up through the frame and back out the hole above them so they looked a little cleaner. then lift the tank, pull your block out and tighten up all the screws. done. should take you 10 minutes.

you don't really need the front clip, the hardest one to get to, but I put it back so the wire isn't in there jiggling around.

and this is what it'll look like..

 

Screaming Eagle wires are great, you wont have any issues with running those. They are a thicker wire, but dont alter resistance or "throw any codes". We have sold hundreds and never had an issue.

 

i just changed mine last week to the 10mm wires, i just pulled the tank conpletely it makes it so much easier than just proping it up, but either will work. you will need new zip ties to secure the new wires, i got mine at dealer fo $.50 each, whole job took about 45 to install new wires and plugs. not bad job

 

I changed mine to the red for the same reason. They just look cool on my Scarlet Red SG. I didn't take off the tank, just reached up as far as I could to route one of the wires. I've had no issues and the bike runs great.

 

Changing the spark plug wires is not as simple as some would have you believe but I would also recommend a pair of very long nosed pliers, along with some good lighting.

Once you get the tank unbolted, lifted and propped up, take a careful look at how the wires are routed can clipped in.
The thicker S/E wires will be a bit harder to get into the plastic clips but they will fit.

 

I thought the steel braided ones would look cool. PIA if ya ask me just for the little wire you see. If it ain't broke don't fix it. The wires can be a real pain to get on the coil even with grease.

 

Thanks for the advice. I'm gonna tackle this on the weekend. I'll post how it turned out.