I have to replace the idle cable on my 1999 Ultra.

OK ... I have the factory manual ... looks pretty straight forward, except that the manual mentions that you have to do a partial tank removal to route the new cable ...

Now, to those of you that have replaced this cable do you really have to lift the tank or can you just fish the new cable through without lifting the tank?

Any hints on R&R of this cable? Or for lifting the tank if I end up having to?

Thanks,
R

 

You can jsut fish it through, but a partial tank removal is not tha bad anyway. You can do it.

 

Any hints to the tank removal? Tricky or not?

 

I've done it more than once. Remove the tank, it only takes a few minutes.
Hint, drain the fuel by removing the front crossover OUTSIDE!
Way safer.
And have a friend help you so you don't spill much.

 

In the end I successfully useda string technique, tying a string to the old cable ends to then use to guide the new cable without lifting the tank… both under the tank and also under the faring … a little jigging required but worked like a charm. The biggest hassle was removing the old cable where the metal elbow joins the handlebar housing, that was a bugger to get off, had a set of vise grips on it and a lot of force to get it to release … but once gone the new one snapped in with no prob.

Total time including the adjustment was under 2 hours and the new one works like a charm.

Lubed both cables while I had it all apart.

Thanks to all for the suggestions and advice.

RB