front frnder removal

[patooey]

i'm going to paint my buddys 98 heritage springer...got the rear fender and tank off..now looking at the front fender seems a little more complicated..i think...to get it off do you need to remove the front wheel?. any help would be appriciated...pa

 

[LudicrousSpeed]

If it is anything like my Zook, if you are careful you can use a wrench in between the fork and the wheel to take out the bolts.

If not, then I don't know....... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

 

[flamethrower]

To answer your question in a word... Yep. You will have to remove the front wheel to get at the mounting bolts. Actually, you might be able to fight it and get them out, but then removal of the fender with the tire on is a sun of a gun. Also, when you get it ready and you want to put it on with your brand spanking new paint job, oops, you just nicked it, oh well, that paint job wasn't that hard to do... Do yourself a favor, remove the front wheel. You'll thank me for this advice in the future.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/agree.gif

FT

 

[rex]

Exactly,don't try to shortcut it,the wheel comes off too easy and no adjustments like a rear to put back on.Just keep the wheel spacers on their proper side and retorque it.Gives him a good reason to repack the bearings while it's apart too.

 

[patooey]

yea i figured that as the fender straps that attach to the axle are mixed in with the springer front end...any info on how the fender straps that go to the axle come off...theres a chrome cap on there and i'm not sure if they pop off or turn...and i thought this would be a piece of cake...grrrrr /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/foreheadslap.gif

 

[rex]

My buddie's '99 is still at the shop so I'll look at it tomarrow,I haven't had to screw with one yet.He has the manual too (shame on your buddy) so I'll see if I can borrow it for any quirks and the front axle torque.I think the torque is different than an FX or FL axle.

 

[patooey]

that would be great..thanks for your time!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yay.gif

 

[rex]

OK,I won't have torque specs till tomarrow but I was right,you're in for fun.Once you pull the front wheel you have to remove the lower rockerarms off the bottom of the forks,or at least pull the nuts off and slide the bolts out a bit for clearence.Once this is done (I forgot,pull the caliper and lay it aside) unbolt the fender from the left side of the forks and slide it out the bottom.Aren't those FX springers nice?I'll get you the torque specs for the axle and lower rocker bolts tomarrow or as soon as he brings me his manual.

 

[patooey]

rex..yep, as i looked at it your so correct on the removal....this is the only bike i have done where i have taken off the parts..i usually tell folks , sure i'll paint it, bring me the parts......just saying that elminates a quite a few of them..and takes the worry out of dinging something up putting it on,.but since hes a good friend...i agreed,,,,this will cost him a few cold ones....thanks for the info and getting the torque specs..... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

 

[rex]

Did you take it off yet?There's a deal to make up a spring compressor or you could have a nightmare.Might tell him to have a shop do it or someone with the equipment.I'll still get the specs for the rocker bolts,the axle is 60-65ft-lbs and there's a tool to remove the hubcap.

 

[patooey]

haven't taken it off you....hummm...guess he'll need the shop to get it off....got the small caps off...they screw off...thanks for the torque on the axle...will have him get the specs for the other part...thanks again....mj /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/good_bye.gif

 

[rex]

Sorry man,I jumped the gun there.Here's basically the jist after going further into it.Pull the caliper and wheel,then reinsert the axle to hold things in place while you unbolt the left side with the spring clip and bolts.Then pull the fender down enough to rock it sideways so the right fork leg is between the fender and the lower bracket and slide it out,no need to undo the rocker arms.They say the dash and left tank need to be pulled to undo the wiring so add that in,I don't think you can unplug the wires at the light without cutting wires.There's a bearing in the axle area of the fender so be sure to protect it in the paint prcess.Tell him to spend $55 at J&P for a manual and add on some goodies to save the $10 more Harley wants for the manual,just the tidbits like this are worth it.Sounds like a tight fit but it'll come out.

 

[patooey]

thats cool rex, no problem...i'm gonna go for it tomorrow and i'll let ya know how it went....also my bud did order a manual today..which i'll keep at my garage!! thanks for all your help...mj

 

[patooey]

alright.....came off just like you said....it was tight, but when i put it back on i'll tape fender to protect it...i want to thank you for all help....and i'm glad my buddy is getting that manual...mj /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yay.gif

 

[rex]

No prob man /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif