Detachable hardware a difficult install?
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Powhatan, Virginia
Detachable hardware a difficult install?
Somewhere in the past I have read that the detachable hardware is a difficult, or complicated, install for the current model Road Kings. I have an "06 Road King Classic and am wondering what makes this project tough to do at home and if there are any tips/tricks for the do-it-yourselfer?
Thanks!
John Virginia
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Detachable hardware a difficult install?
Check out this thread:
https://www.hdforums.com/m_1394269/tm.htm
The docking hardware is a bitch to install. Should be easy but there is nothing "quick" about it. I put on the left side yesterday and it took me about 5 hours, a snapped bolt and busted knuckles. Oh yeah...be very careful when reattaching the saddlebag mount. If that pinned up nut falls out of the bracket you'll have to take the whole thing apart. Ask me how I know.
One thing that helped was to unscrewthe saddlebag support bar from the long chrome piece the rear docking mount attaches to. Made it a bit easier to align the holes.
Do yourself a favor and print 07Roadglides directions. The HD supplied directions are nearly worthless.
Good Luck!
https://www.hdforums.com/m_1394269/tm.htm
The docking hardware is a bitch to install. Should be easy but there is nothing "quick" about it. I put on the left side yesterday and it took me about 5 hours, a snapped bolt and busted knuckles. Oh yeah...be very careful when reattaching the saddlebag mount. If that pinned up nut falls out of the bracket you'll have to take the whole thing apart. Ask me how I know.
One thing that helped was to unscrewthe saddlebag support bar from the long chrome piece the rear docking mount attaches to. Made it a bit easier to align the holes.
Do yourself a favor and print 07Roadglides directions. The HD supplied directions are nearly worthless.
Good Luck!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,680
Likes: 602
From: South Florida
RE: Detachable hardware a difficult install?
You will hear a lot of pros and cons on this subject.If you are mechanically inclined and have the proper tools,you should be able to install any of the docking kits available from HD.It would be advisable to take a good look at a installation on another bike which will help you install yours.Then the instructions will seem clearer to you.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 1
From: St.Louis, MO.
RE: Detachable hardware a difficult install?
Here's what I did....forget about the instructions, look at the pictures and go from there......45 min. front and 30 for the rear. Oh yeah, do ONE side at a time 
Good Luck
Good Luck
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 651
Likes: 2
From: Yokosuka, Japan
RE: Detachable hardware a difficult install?
ORIGINAL: cwilks
Here's what I did....forget about the instructions, look at the pictures and go from there......45 min. front and 30 for the rear. Oh yeah, do ONE side at a time Good Luck
Here's what I did....forget about the instructions, look at the pictures and go from there......45 min. front and 30 for the rear. Oh yeah, do ONE side at a time
Good Luck
Did I mention that they did not include all of the washers and had to run to the HW store to buy 2 freakin washers. So the whole thing took me a an hour and a half.
I also managed to dislodge that clip in bolt
.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
RE: Detachable hardware a difficult install?
Installed detachable kit for sissy bar last year, and recall other posts on subject from back then. Give it a search.
Should have been easier than I made it. 6 pack minimum.
Forget the spacers, they made my bags sit too far from bike. Air valve relocation made mine difficult to fill. Read that the relocation step wasn't needed, but can't confirm.
Directions suck. Use the picture. Have fun.
Should have been easier than I made it. 6 pack minimum.
Forget the spacers, they made my bags sit too far from bike. Air valve relocation made mine difficult to fill. Read that the relocation step wasn't needed, but can't confirm.
Directions suck. Use the picture. Have fun.
Trending Topics
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Detachable hardware a difficult install?
I gave up and took mine to the dealer for install. i need more patience.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,860
Likes: 32,743
From: King George, VA
RE: Detachable hardware a difficult install?
It's doable in your own garage. Ya just need to have some patience and be ready to undo and reinstall a few times to get it right. No special tools or equipment is needed other than ratchets and wrenches. To get an idea of what your objective is, read through the instructions once and then hold the back rest up on the bike to see where you are going to put the hardware. That will clear things up a bit for ya.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Detachable hardware a difficult install?
I don't know what it is about Harley's instructions that make them so hard to follow, but they are. And I'm glad to see it's not just me.
If they would do little things like tell me that parts labled A,B & C in the instructions are fasteners that I took off the bike and parts 1,2&3 are from the parts bag, it would make it a little easyer. It really isn't all that hard to do, plus you get to spend some quality time with your ride.
But, I have a set of heated hand grips that I bought myself for Christmas. I may postpone instaling them forever.
If they would do little things like tell me that parts labled A,B & C in the instructions are fasteners that I took off the bike and parts 1,2&3 are from the parts bag, it would make it a little easyer. It really isn't all that hard to do, plus you get to spend some quality time with your ride.
But, I have a set of heated hand grips that I bought myself for Christmas. I may postpone instaling them forever.