MassHD: Disassembing and reassembling the bike wasn't difficult, just tedious. I used freezer zip lock bags of a couple of different sizes to keep parts together; for example, all the nuts, screws, etc. for the saddlebags were in a freezer bag. If I removed a bolt (for example, the Torx bolt that secures the front of the rear fender to the frame), I reinstalled it in the frame after removing the fender so it would be there when reinstalling the fender. Also, it didn't require special tools, except, perhaps for the torque wrenches for reinstalling fasteners per the Service Manual's specs.

The freezer bags and some pics taken with the digital camera worked extremely well. Frankly, I was surprised how smoothly the parts went back on the bike.

The only frustrating aspect was a maintenance task: changing the fuel filter canister inside the gas tank. The console pod assembly, as it's called IIRC, is the most bizarre assembly of parts (fuel pump, pressure regulator, fuel level sender, etc.) and has to be pulled out of the tank and pushed back into it following instructions that were obtuse to me.

I did have a couple of "OOPS" moments. Like installing the idiot light harness upside down so when I checked to see if it was installed correctly by turning on the left turn signal, the right turn signal lit in the idiot light--aptly named in my case. It was an easy fix to reach inside the inner fairing and orient it correctly.

Another "OOPS" moment was when I was assembling the fairing cap with its switches and was convinced that the brackets used to mount the switches were missing. I was so convinced that I actually ordered replacements at the local HD store, only to find later that evening that the brackets were still on the switches.

Yet a third "OOPS" moment was more public. During my maiden ride today the left saddlebag latch kept popping open. I've read about this problem on HDF so I asked a tech at the local dealership if there is a fix. He went to his tool chest and came back with a pair of needle nose pliers and took a look behind the latch. Next thing he did was ask me for my bike key (which threw me 'cause I had no idea why he'd need my bike key to fix a spring, etc.) and proceeded to show me that when I'd assembled the saddlebag I'd set the lock in the locked position so the latch couldn't latch properly. We had a good laugh at my expense for that one.

Talked to Brandon the painter this afternoon and he may be painting my other parts tomorrow. If so, I'm looking forward to installing the fairing lowers with the Hog Tunes spakers mounted in them this week-end.

Meanwhile, thanks for the compliments; I will pass them along to Brandon and Mike for their fine paint work.

For me, I'm pleased that I was able to do so much of the work, and especially pleased that filling in the antenna holes in the SG facia and covering the bolt head at the bottom of the fender turned out so well.

 

It works, but I need to clean up the installation a bit because of the added wiring and limited space between the tail light lens and circuit board.

 

Is it noticeably brighter than the stock one?

 

Looks great..cool to see a local dealer in pics, Killer Creek

 

Nice looking scoot. Until the Ultra all my bikes have been one shade of red or another, that HOK looks really sharp!

 

Once again you've really hit the mark Carl. Nice work for sure!

 

What a transformation !!!!!!!!!!!!!! It looks really great. Great job on doin' your own wrenching too.

 

nice .. doing the work yourself is cool.. I changed the drive belt on my 99 (rock went through it) and did it myself with the manual.. it feels good knowing you did it

 

Daaam Carl aw some job that looks Great cant wait to see some more pics when your done congratulation's

 

way to go nice paint