Changing Head Pipe-How Difficult???
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,537
Likes: 6,411
From: Honah Lee
Pay some one if you need to ask and are not adventurous and have tons of patients. If it does not align quite right and you break a rear stud like someone just posted it will be a nightmare. Someone who does it all the time should not charge a lot. Money well spent. I have done a bunch, and it can be a pain. Always use new harden factory lock-nuts, that is what keeps it tight, not torque. Have new crush gaskets just in case someone over tightened the last ones.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,747
Likes: 419
From: Vermont
Just for us that the bikes are a little older. Don't bust the damn studs off. Take your time. Tighten a bit .... soak more.... loosen a bit. Dont push it just work it back and forth and it will come off. If your impatient it will break . Maybe if its your first time use a 1/4 inch drive. When its all done take a new nut and split it with a dremel or thin cut off. Now run it back and forth on threads in a socket. It will clean them up real nice. DONT put stainless nuts on either. I have never used harley nuts just brand new cheap *** grade 5 and never had a problem. Same with gaskets if they have only been taken apart one time...you wont have any problems using old one unless they already leaked. Just keep the flanges square. Again these things are not high tech fighter jets like some will have you believe.. Just an expensive farm tractor that most anybody that has turned a wrench can work on. Good Luck
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 98
Likes: 1
From: Biker's paradise - Ramona, CA
I'll be mating my CFRs with V&H Dresser Duals this weekend (Father's Day gift 
) and appreciate the tips. Also have a Power Commander ready to do its magic. Next on the list - cams!
Thanks for all of the great tips. This forum rocks.
) and appreciate the tips. Also have a Power Commander ready to do its magic. Next on the list - cams! Thanks for all of the great tips. This forum rocks.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 12
From: DOWN SOUTH
I have a decatted head pipe on order. Should be in next week. I would like to change this out myself. How difficult is this to do? I have ordered a service manual, but is there somewhere on the online to find step by step instructions to do this. Wanting to learn to wrench on my own bike. If there are any tips from anyone that has done this before would be great.
Here you go JD, this is a link with pictures and all the tools you will need. Good luck man. I am doing the exact same thing you are doing in 70 something days when I get done sucking sand, lol.. Let us know how it went for you. Here is the linky:
http://www.americancustom.com/media/news/AmerCustom.pdf
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 0
From: París, TX
Here you go JD, this is a link with pictures and all the tools you will need. Good luck man. I am doing the exact same thing you are doing in 70 something days when I get done sucking sand, lol.. Let us know how it went for you. Here is the linky:
http://www.americancustom.com/media/news/AmerCustom.pdf
http://www.americancustom.com/media/news/AmerCustom.pdf
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 14
From: connecticut
I have a decatted head pipe on order. Should be in next week. I would like to change this out myself. How difficult is this to do? I have ordered a service manual, but is there somewhere on the online to find step by step instructions to do this. Wanting to learn to wrench on my own bike. If there are any tips from anyone that has done this before would be great.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 5
From: CT
Now that's just wrong to tell the op. This forum is for exactly that. DIY advice to help out folks who need advice and a little boost in confidence. Go for it op!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 12
From: DOWN SOUTH
Not everyone is born to turn wrenches or knows how or for that matter has the money to pay someone to do it for them. So when you got your first HD, you knew how to do everything to it, torque specs/sequence etc? Last time I looked, this forum is here to help people and to share our experiences. Thats some of the problem with this forum, people come on here and dont even try to help, just post idiotic comments. What if he was your neighbor and needed help, would you tell him to pay for it since he dont know how? OP, you keep asking all the questions you need to, dont let comments like that discourage you from turning your own wrenches and saving $$$.
Last edited by my67pnycar; Jun 13, 2013 at 07:26 AM.