The Harley-Davidson V-Rod is a big motorcycle with a powerful engine that can cause damage to the rear tier and rear end of the motorcycle. You may need to remove the rear wheel from your Harley V-Rod for a number of reasons: upgrades, damage repair or basic maintenance.
Difficulty:
Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
Wrench
Pliers
Hammer
1
Place the Harley V-Rod onto a motorcycle stand to get the rear wheel off of the ground.
2
Remove the axle nut securing the rear wheel on the frame of the Harley V-Rod using the wrench and pliers.
3
Hammer the wheel axle out of the wheel axle hole. Push the wheel toward the engine to loosen the chain or belt.
4
Remove the drive chain or belt from the rear wheel. Pull the rear wheel away from the Harley V-Rod.
While removing the imposing bat wing-styled fairing from a Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic is not a task that is required very often, it has to be done to gain access to the motorcycle's electrical and sound systems. Although it can look very difficult to accomplish, removing the fairing is actually quite easy since it is secured by a handful of screws. Using a single Torx driver, the entire outer fairing can be removed, but take your time to avoid damaging both the fairing and the auxiliary driving lamps.
Park the motorcycle on a smooth, level surface. Check the side stand to ensure that it is locked into place. Prepare the motorcycle, covering the fuel tank and front fender with towels to prevent scratching the parts' painted finish. Wrap the auxiliary driving lights in a towel.
2
Using a Torx-27 driver, loosen the three bolts that secure the windshield to the outer fairing.
3
Place your foot on the side stand to prevent it from moving and turn the handlebars completely to the left. Locate the pair of Torx screws that secure the right side of the inner fairing to the outer fairing. Remove both screws using a Torx-27 driver.
4
Place your foot on the side stand to prevent it from moving and turn the handlebars completely to the right. Locate the pair of Torx screws that secure the left side of the inner fairing to the outer fairing. Remove both screws using a Torx-27 driver.
5
Remove the windshield screws from the outer fairing, starting with the outer screws first. Remove the center screw and slide the windshield upwards and out of the outer fairing. Set the windshield aside.
6
Stand in front of the motorcycle and pull the upper edge of the outer fairing towards you. Reach into the fairing and disconnect the wiring harness from the headlight. Pull the outer fairing towards you, using a side-to-side motion, until the outer fairing has completely detached from the motorcycle.
The story of Harley Davidson USA -- or Harley-Davidson Motor Company as it is also known -- begins in 1903 with four young men building a single motorcycle in a small shed. Driven by a desire to understand and test internal combustion, the men built a motorcycle with an engine strong enough to last more than 100,000 miles -- under the operation of five owners. The following year, C.H. Lang of Chicago, IL, opened a dealership and sold one of the first three-produced Harley-Davidson motorcycles ever made. Today, new and used Harley Davidson motorcycles are sold all over the world. In 2010, the XL Forty-Eight was introduced worldwide. According to the Harley Davidson official website, the motorcycle reflects, "the raw, custom Sportsters of earlier days."
Difficulty:
Moderate
Instructions
1
Find a Harley Davidson used motorcycle dealer. A dealer locator tool is available on Harley Davidson's official website (see Resources). Search by location or dealer name. Enter your city and state or ZIP code when searching by location.
2
Ask the dealer about finance options. Private-label credit card financing is a common option; however, this type of financing is subject to interest rate changes. A standard fixed installment loan is an alternative -- and, in many cases, less expensive -- option. Fixed installment loans are not subject to fluctuating interest rates, so you'll save over the life of the loan.
3
Provide the dealer with a copy of your credit report or sign a consent form to allow the dealer to request, view and print your credit report.
4
Review the terms and conditions of the loan. Inquire about interest rates, late fees (in some cases, a late fee can trigger an interest rate increase), the length -- or term -- of the loan (i.e., when the final payment is due) and early payment restrictions. Rule 78 allows a lender to penalize a borrower for repaying a loan early.
5
Fill out a loan application and pay any applicable down payment fees and other processing fees.
Tips & Warnings
Not all Harley Davidson dealers specialize in bad credit motorcycle financing, so ask beforehand.
Before buying a used Harley Davidson, inquire about the motorcycle's service history and past problems. "Is there evidence that the motorcycle has been ridden off-road," is a good question to ask.
Mileage can affect pricing; however Harley Davidson engines have a strong reputation for lasting many miles. You may not see a huge savings as the number of miles goes up.
If you opt for a private seller, you'll need to finance the motorcycle with cash or obtain a personal loan through a bank or credit union. The same application process applies.
Avoid private-label credit card financing, when possible. Opt for a fixed installment loan instead.
Harley-Davidson, a motorcycle manufacturer in the United States, has a rich history with its first motorcycle being built in 1903 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Harley-Davidson is still selling motorcycles as of 2009. Most Harley-Davidson riders take pride in their motorcycles by keeping them well maintained. Whether you ride an expertly restored antique or a brand new model off the showroom floor, the key to keeping your machine running efficiently is to keep the air cleaner element dirt free.
Difficulty:
Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
#10-24 Hex head wrench
Philips screwdriver
¼-20 TORX wrench
Shallow pan
Degreaser
Newspapers
1
Remove the air cleaner cover insert on the right hand side of the motorcycle by removing the two attaching screws with a #10-24 hex head wrench in a counter clockwise motion.
2
Remove the air cleaner cover by removing the attaching screw with a Philips screw driver in a counterclockwise motion.
3
Remove the air filter element by removing the three attaching screws with a ¼-20 TORX wrench in a counterclockwise motion.
4
Fill a shallow pan with 9.5mm (or .375 inch) of degreaser.
5
Place the air filter element on its edge into the pan of degreaser. Roll the filter element all the way around on its edge until the filter pleats are soaked with degreaser on the outside. Do not allow degreaser to get inside the air filter element.
6
Remove the air filter element from the degreaser. Place the element on newspapers and allow the degreaser to soak into the filter pleats for approximately five minutes.
7
Rinse the air filter element thoroughly with a stream of water from the inside out.
8
Place the air filter element on clean newspapers and let it air dry completely.
9
Reinstall the air filter element to the air cleaner with the three attaching screws and a ¼-20 TORX wrench in a clockwise motion.
10
Reinstall the air cleaner cover with the attaching screw and a Philips screwdriver in a clockwise motion.
11
Reinstall the air cleaner cover insert with the two attaching screws and a #10-24 hex head wrench in a clockwise motion.
Tips & Warnings
Examine the air filter element every 5000 miles, or more frequently when dusty conditions exist.
Do not over-tighten any of the attaching screws when re-installing the air filter element.
Adding hard saddle bags to your Harley Davidson gives you storage space when traveling.
Harley Davidson is an American icon in motorcycles. Traveling on a motorcycle is a whole different world than in a car or vehicle where you have space to carry things, but saddlebags are the motorcycle's answer to that. Installing a set of Harley hard shelled saddle bags is not a difficult process. They are a common accessory and come in a variety of styles but have a standard installation that makes it a good do-it-yourself project for the motorcycle enthusiast.
Difficulty:
Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
Harley Davidson hard saddle bag set and hardware kit
Ratchet set
1
Unpack the saddle bag set and hardware kit and lay out the pieces. Make sure everything is there before beginning the job so you are not interrupted by missing hardware necessary to complete the installation. This is a good time to read through the instructions to familiarize yourself with any specific notes or areas of concern.
2
Check your motorcycle for clearance by holding up the saddle bag to the fender where it will be installed and making sure the exhaust or any other mechanical areas do not interfere with its location. If there is an obstruction, there are lift kits or spacers you can buy or install prior to putting the saddle bags on the bike to give adequate clearance.
3
Clean the fender bolt area to be sure all dirt and grime are removed. This will avoid scratching the paint and give you a good clean working area when installing the bags.
4
Mount the saddle bag holding bracket if one is in the hardware kit. This is a bracket designed to attach and remove saddle bags and assist with distributing the weight. Nearly all saddle bags or mounting brackets are attached at the pre-drilled factory bolt holes in the fender.
5
Place both bolts in place. Add any rubber bushings, washers or spacers required with the kit. Attach the saddle bag to the mounting bolts and align it so everything is seated correctly. Tighten the bolts. Check for good fit inside the saddle bag and out. Repeat this step for the other saddle bag.
6
Test drive the motorcycle with the new bags in place and check for any rubbing or areas that are not secured, then adjust as needed.
After spending months of day-dreaming, days of research and hours in a dealership, you have finally selected the Harley-Davidson that is right for you. You own the Harley that best suits you as a person. Now as you look at it sitting there in your garage, the thought hits you: "I have to change it." For many owners, one of the first and easiest customizations is replacing the grips. With the right tools, this is an easy do-it-yourself project.
Difficulty:
Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
Screwdriver
Torx or Allen wrench
Shop towels
Needle-nose pliers
String
Ruler or tape measure
1
Move your motorcycle to a level surface. With the motorcycle off, place the transmission in gear to prevent movement.
2
Identify the type of bolt or screw used on your switch housing. This is the knobby structure just outside of your brake or clutch handle housing. For newer models, you will likely need a Torx wrench (looks like a star). For older models, you may need an Allen wrench (hexagonal) or screwdriver. There may be as few as one per side or as many as three.
3
Using the wrench identified in step 2, remove the bolt(s) from the left-side (clutch) housing that wraps around the grip. Separate the two halves of the housing. Replace the bolt so you don't lose it, and wrap with shop towels to prevent damage to the parts and the motorcycle's finish.
4
Remove the bolt(s) from the right-side (brake) housing, again using the wrench identified in step 2. At this point, you will notice two wires coming out of the housing that wrap around the grip. These are the throttle wires. Take notes or digital pictures of the placement of these wires to refer to for reattachment later. Then, using needle-nose pliers, unseat them from the grip sleeve. Wrap the housing with shop towels.
5
Slide the grips off the handlebars. Depending on the handlebars, you may have to unscrew the left grip, but on stock models these usually slide off with a gentle back-and-forth motion. Once the grip is off, wrap the string around your handlebars and use a ruler to find the diameter of your handlebars. Stock handlebars are typically 1 inch, but may be as large as 2 inches if you have aftermarket handlebars.
6
Purchase the grips that are correctly sized for your motorcycle. Replace the grip on the left side, replace the housing and then reinstall the bolt(s). Slide the right grip on. Reattach the throttle cables, being careful to attach the wires in the same position they were in before. Then replace the housing and reinstall the bolt(s).
Tips & Warnings
These instructions are based on a 2008 Harley-Davidson Softail, but should carry over fairly well to other vehicles. Some motorcycle handlebars taper at the ends. As a result, measuring anywhere but at the ends of the handlebars may result in incorrect sizing.
Incorrectly attaching your grips may cause them to come off during riding. Ensure they are properly installed and secured before attempting to ride your motorcycle. Incorrectly reattaching your throttle control wires may cause the vehicle to run improperly and may even cause the engine to race uncontrollably.
Spring is right around the corner. If you want your bike to be running in tip top shape read on to learn how to rejet a carburetor on a Harley Davidson.
Difficulty:
Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
Flat head 1/8" screwdriver
Stage 1 jet kit or an assortment of jets
1
Remove the bowl on the base of your carburetor. To do this, remove each of the four regular screws. An 1/8" flathead/regular screwdriver works best for this process. Make sure to clean any excess particles out of the bowl while you have it off the bike.
2
Unscrew the pilot jet from within the orifice using the 1/8". Note: the size of the jet is stamped into the bottom of the jet to help you identify.
3
Use the flat headed screwdriver to unscrew the "Emulsion Tube" which is also known as the brass needle jet holder.
4
Assuming your Harley Davidson is running a CV carburetor and has a stock pilot jet in it remove that jet and replace it with one size larger. Harley Davidson pilot jets typically range from 40-50 in size going up by increments of 2 generally with the exception of the size 45 jet.
5
Replace the main jet with one size larger only after properly tuning the slow/idle setting jet. It should also be noted that main jets are sized incrementally by so keep that in mind when rejeting to the next jet size up. In general the high the jet the richer the fuel mixture is. Too rich of a fuel mixture will lead to spark plugs fouling.
6
Reinstall the carburetor bowl back onto the bike making sure not to damage the rubber boot. There, you have successfully learned how to rejet a Harley Davidson carburetor.
