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This settles it. I'm not mechanically inclined and never will be.

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  #11  
Old 08-29-2010 | 05:47 PM
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bigalv63
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From: Tucson,Arizona
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Dirty Harry said..."A man needs to know his limitations" bigal v
 

Last edited by bigalv63; 08-29-2010 at 05:52 PM.
  #12  
Old 08-29-2010 | 06:05 PM
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Harleyrider_49
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From: Southern IN.
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Originally Posted by Station49
Tried the "simple" operation of replacing the stock switches on my 09 FXDF this afternoon.

Over 90 minutes later, and not only are the switches not replaced, I can't get the spring for the stock horn switch back into place, I can't get the right side switch housing back together, and the throttle is completely off and I can't get that back on either (I also lost one of the brass throttle cable ferrules that I eventually found).

Now I'm going to need the dealership to come out, pick up my bike, and fix my mistakes. I'm done working on my bike myself.
Yep.....been there! Had the chrome housing's,but the switches were black....sooo......thought "18-20 bux, ain' bad" look fairly simple in the pack,but after take'n a switch housing loose,I said "ain' go'n there"
seen all I need'd ta see with it loose.... long story short.....dealer quoted an hr labor(@75.00) I said "knock yerself out".....took the tech 3 hrs mess'n with it........they only charged me with the original hr......75.00 well spent......I ain't got THAT kind'a patience........
 
  #13  
Old 08-29-2010 | 06:40 PM
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Station49
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Originally Posted by Harleyrider_49
Yep.....been there! Had the chrome housing's,but the switches were black....sooo......thought "18-20 bux, ain' bad" look fairly simple in the pack,but after take'n a switch housing loose,I said "ain' go'n there"
seen all I need'd ta see with it loose.... long story short.....dealer quoted an hr labor(@75.00) I said "knock yerself out".....took the tech 3 hrs mess'n with it........they only charged me with the original hr......75.00 well spent......I ain't got THAT kind'a patience........
Pretty much exactly how it happened for me. Maybe they should have a skill level on the package.

Some days it doesn't pay to get outta bed.

I think I'll just have the tech go ahead and put ISO Grips on while he's in there.
 
  #14  
Old 08-29-2010 | 06:47 PM
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Station49
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Oh and to answer an earlier poster, I was chroming out the switch caps to contrast with my black housings.
 
  #15  
Old 08-29-2010 | 06:47 PM
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Dog Father
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From: North Shore, MA
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I feel your pain. Thought I would do something easy this weekend as my first DIY on my bike by changing passenger pegs to boards. Couldn't get the damn torx screw to turn to remove the old peg mounts. I was using an alan wrench so I figured, get the proper wrench and fight another day! Never know, after sleeping on it you might be able to figure it out... or not!
 
  #16  
Old 08-29-2010 | 06:48 PM
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jhamilton118
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From: Independence Missouri
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Well It took me 3 days to install saddlebags had the bike in parts, seat fender shocks all removed and no jack it was a nightmare for me and yes i was at the point of calling the dealership to come pick it up but i did get it back together purchased the service manual the next paycheck....
 
  #17  
Old 08-29-2010 | 06:52 PM
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piasspj
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From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
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Small parts, springs, order of assembly, wiring. Everyone has certain things than make wrenching difficult for them and the hand controls/switches have many them.
Patience, good lighting and comfortable working conditions help (sit in a chair or on a stool if you can).
 
  #18  
Old 08-29-2010 | 06:53 PM
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wideglidebob
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hell good for you for trying, i won`t even change my own oil and its not that i can`t i just don`t want to, some guys think thats crazy but i don`t change my car or trk oil either
 
  #19  
Old 08-29-2010 | 07:03 PM
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walkerinin
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From: Indiana
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I feel your pain. I have struggled with "simple" jobs on my bike. I have managed to get through them (with some help from this forum). Pics do help. Many folks on here are willing to help.
Everyone will say "get a manual". It is worth it but it is not the ultimate authority. Some things are not listed. And some things assume you already know a bunch of mechanical stuff. I don't. I have learned to do my own fluid changes, I have changed my grips and my levers. A few days ago, I diagnosed and replaced a missing bolt. (No diagram in the manual showed this bolt). Keep tryin'
If frustrated...back away, call a friend, have a beer and get after it again tomorrow.
 
  #20  
Old 08-29-2010 | 07:27 PM
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Jackie Paper
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From: Honah Lee
Default foot pegs

Originally Posted by Dog Father
I feel your pain. Thought I would do something easy this weekend as my first DIY on my bike by changing passenger pegs to boards. Couldn't get the damn torx screw to turn to remove the old peg mounts. I was using an alan wrench so I figured, get the proper wrench and fight another day! Never know, after sleeping on it you might be able to figure it out... or not!
Replace a set of foot pegs with the 3" extended ones. Harley uses the red strength locktite on the full thread. I put a good torx in and really did not want to use heat. After about 3 turns the screw had turned but I new in a few more turns the screw head would be trash. Real close to the point of needing drilled out and that would be a real pain. I put my buddy on the other side bracing the bike and put my 3/4 impact on it hard. The screws came out. The other side with the impact were no problem. With out heat or a impact or one of those hammer drivers I doubt the head will hold up long enough to get the screw out especially with the wrong tool
 


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