Those style axle covers don't allow enough engagement of the axle into the adjuster/washer on the left side after the 2 mounting brackets are in place.

I had to modify the axle on mine...

 

Finally, here are the pics...


http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...rcycle015.jpg]



http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...cycle016-1.jpg

 

Looks nice on there with the black sprocket behind it.

 

Thanks,

As you can see I am incorporating black accents throughout, i.e. black engine guards, axle covers, etc. I think the black pieces complement the black and chrome engine well. I also left my control housings black but added chrome switches, master cylinder cover and hardware to give it the same look. I have put on all the black pieces now, so I will just chrome the crap out of everything else. It should set it off nicely.

 

I'm leaning that direction for my Custom. Its black already so I figure that more is better, right?
The tins may get a bit of a flame job, but the rest of the bike is either going to be black or chrome, no exceptions. I like chrome but hate the maintenance so I'm looking around now for both polished and standard finish (paint or powdercoat them black) stainless steel bolts, nuts, and washers to replace all the cad plated junk the factory puts on. It will take a while to do, but my "plan" is to get them all replaced before any of them start to rust on me.

 

I have the black axel covers on my bike and had to use the thin washer as well to make the axel nut fit. I think the instruction mean 2000 and up.

I like the black covers because it cleans up the swing arm without making it stand out any more. One of the reasons that I like the Softail is the swing arm makes the bike look similar to a hardtail so I dond want to draw attention to it with a chrome swing arm ect. I've never seen a hardtail with a chrome rear section unless the whole frame is chrome.

 

Good point!

 

With most of the hardtails I have seen the rear axle tubes are both continuous and visable from the axle forward. They would look a little "odd" with the tubes chromed only from the axle to under the seat.
No thanks at $550 the're a bit pricey for my taste. I'll stick to a painted swingarm.
Besides, the wife already has more than enough Christmas tree decorations. I shudder to think of her trying to hang a 700+ pound Hog from a Christmas tree branch.
But I wouldn't put it past her to try.