Installing chrome passenger floorboard covers?
#11
02-18-2008, 02:26 AM
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02-18-2008, 04:37 AM
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#13
02-18-2008, 04:37 AM
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#14
02-18-2008, 06:48 AM
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#15
04-13-2013, 05:47 PM
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I know this is an old thread but we always tell people to search and if they do, they will find this one, which I am intentionally updating.
Anyway, I installed the covers today on my 2011 RKC. It is a VERY easy install and took no more than 15 minutes to do both. There is NO need to take the footboards off the bike.
The reason I am posting, however, is to emphasize the importance of using a drill stop to restrict the depth of the drilling. In the instructions it says to limit the depth to 1/2 inch but to make sure you go deep enough so that the screws don't bottom in the aluminum material when you go to install the covers. I used electrical tape on the drill bit to create a drill stop at 1/2 inch. (Just wrap several turns of tape around the bit to create a lip.) I am very glad I did. Before I hit the 1/2 inch depth, I hit air. I expected the material to be thicker because of the caution about drilling deep enough to avoid bottoming, so I was still putting some pressure on the drill to get it through the aluminum. On the newer bikes at least, the aluminum material is nowhere close to a half inch thick! Without the drill stop, the pressure on the drill might have carried it all the way through to the rubber footboard pad. So there is no concern about the screws bottoming, but there is a concern about drilling all the way through. So use a drill stop!
Anyway, I installed the covers today on my 2011 RKC. It is a VERY easy install and took no more than 15 minutes to do both. There is NO need to take the footboards off the bike.
The reason I am posting, however, is to emphasize the importance of using a drill stop to restrict the depth of the drilling. In the instructions it says to limit the depth to 1/2 inch but to make sure you go deep enough so that the screws don't bottom in the aluminum material when you go to install the covers. I used electrical tape on the drill bit to create a drill stop at 1/2 inch. (Just wrap several turns of tape around the bit to create a lip.) I am very glad I did. Before I hit the 1/2 inch depth, I hit air. I expected the material to be thicker because of the caution about drilling deep enough to avoid bottoming, so I was still putting some pressure on the drill to get it through the aluminum. On the newer bikes at least, the aluminum material is nowhere close to a half inch thick! Without the drill stop, the pressure on the drill might have carried it all the way through to the rubber footboard pad. So there is no concern about the screws bottoming, but there is a concern about drilling all the way through. So use a drill stop!
Last edited by TKDKurt; 04-13-2013 at 07:21 PM.
#16
04-13-2013, 09:59 PM
Damn. They came with instructions?
I've put them on three or four bikes now and didn't use any thing to stop the bit. They are starting to show their age now though. I just kept getting a bigger bit until the screw would go in the hole and start cutting threads.
Instructions. Damn. What a concept.
I've put them on three or four bikes now and didn't use any thing to stop the bit. They are starting to show their age now though. I just kept getting a bigger bit until the screw would go in the hole and start cutting threads.
Instructions. Damn. What a concept.
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board, chrome, covers, davidson, floor, floorboard, footboard, harley, hd, installing, oversized, passenger, replacement, screws, touring
