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[SPIDERMAN]

160ftlbs of torque on the clutch hub nut, I'd like to see the monkey that can break that with a hand tool.

[Chief]

160ftlbs of torque on the clutch hub nut, I'd like to see the monkey that can break that with a hand tool.

24" breaker bar and a little bit of pull and off she came. Granted, maybe it wasn't on full torque which may explain loose compensator nut problem some have.

Honest, no impact wench was used on removing mine.

[Midnight Rider]

A properly sized 3 or 4 foot length of pipe will break almost anything loose I've ever run into.  The impact tools make things nice at times, but sometimes you just gotta make do with what you've got on hand.

[SPIDERMAN]

A properly sized 3 or 4 foot length of pipe will break almost anything loose I've ever run into.  The impact tools make things nice at times, but sometimes you just gotta make do with what you've got on hand.

TC
     I always look forward to reading your posts as you are a man of experience and wisdom,  but DUDE, you're out there on this one. Let me get this straight, the guy who started this thread is basically trying to determine what he's gettin into and you're talkin about " sometimes you gotta make do "   That's  wrenchin buddy as in  :oops:I didn't think this through or  :oops:this is harder than I thought, not post a thread on a website with 3,500 members and see what they tell you about should you or shouldn't you tear your motorcycle apart with limited knowledge and perhaps even more limited ability and equipment. Ok so you guys are Mcgyver and I'm Bob Villa, that's cool, but I'm thinking the member who posted this thread is Tim the Toolman's mechanically challenged brother.

[Rooster]

She changes jobs more often than you plan on changing underwear between your home and Nelson; as such, she has no time off till late September.

[SPIDERMAN]

I'm gonna ask a question here ?  How many motorcycles have we had apiece on average ?  There's a post somewhere on " What did you Ride Before " Reading that thread, my impression is that one thing that really sets this group apart from Joe average H-D rider is we've all had a LOT of motorcycles along the way. So I would ask next, how many of those motorcycles have we gotten OCD and spent an additional $5k on ? I'll bet it's well over 1/2 of the bikes we've owned. I know I can't leave well enough alone that's for sure and reading around the different threads on this site, I have plenty of company in that.  SO I'm suggesting to the member that would like to work on his own bike, to make a $5k commitment to that. Go spend $5k on a lift, some air tools, a good compressor, and the tools needed to work on an H-D. And when I say the tools needed to work on an H-D I mean you target the tools you need and not buy these 599 tools for $700 deals that Sears offers. Once you've got the tools, you buy a couple of Shop Manuals and matching Parts Manuals for the bikes in your garage. Then you go to work. You make mistakes, you learn, you get better and in a couple years you do most of your own work, your buddies think you'r too cool for school because of it. your wife is happy because you're out in the garage keepin busy and not moping around the house wondering when your motorcycle is gonna be fixed AND, best of all , you are proud of yourself.

[grc]

I'm gonna ask a question here ?  How many motorcycles have we had apiece on average ?  There's a post somewhere on " What did you Ride Before " Reading that thread, my impression is that one thing that really sets this group apart from Joe average H-D rider is we've all had a LOT of motorcycles along the way. So I would ask next, how many of those motorcycles have we gotten OCD and spent an additional $5k on ? I'll bet it's well over 1/2 of the bikes we've owned. I know I can't leave well enough alone that's for sure and reading around the different threads on this site, I have plenty of company in that.  SO I'm suggesting to the member that would like to work on his own bike, to make a $5k commitment to that. Go spend $5k on a lift, some air tools, a good compressor, and the tools needed to work on an H-D. And when I say the tools needed to work on an H-D I mean you target the tools you need and not buy these 599 tools for $700 deals that Sears offers. Once you've got the tools, you buy a couple of Shop Manuals and matching Parts Manuals for the bikes in your garage. Then you go to work. You make mistakes, you learn, you get better and in a couple years you do most of your own work, your buddies think you'r too cool for school because of it. your wife is happy because you're out in the garage keepin busy and not moping around the house wondering when your motorcycle is gonna be fixed AND, best of all , you are proud of yourself.

 

[Twolanerider]

I'm gonna ask a question here ?  How many motorcycles have we had apiece on average ?  There's a post somewhere on " What did you Ride Before " Reading that thread, my impression is that one thing that really sets this group apart from Joe average H-D rider is we've all had a LOT of motorcycles along the way. So I would ask next, how many of those motorcycles have we gotten OCD and spent an additional $5k on ? I'll bet it's well over 1/2 of the bikes we've owned. I know I can't leave well enough alone that's for sure and reading around the different threads on this site, I have plenty of company in that.  SO I'm suggesting to the member that would like to work on his own bike, to make a $5k commitment to that. Go spend $5k on a lift, some air tools, a good compressor, and the tools needed to work on an H-D. And when I say the tools needed to work on an H-D I mean you target the tools you need and not buy these 599 tools for $700 deals that Sears offers. Once you've got the tools, you buy a couple of Shop Manuals and matching Parts Manuals for the bikes in your garage. Then you go to work. You make mistakes, you learn, you get better and in a couple years you do most of your own work, your buddies think you'r too cool for school because of it. your wife is happy because you're out in the garage keepin busy and not moping around the house wondering when your motorcycle is gonna be fixed AND, best of all , you are proud of yourself.

When the man is right he is right.   

[SOKOOLJ]

Spider,

  I hear you on this, you are spot on! I fit in the HD mechanically challenged category, the main reason I don't do a lot of my own work, is lack of proper tools. Not worried about how long it takes, etc, that comes with some expirience. Thanks for keeping it real, I appreciate your input.

SOKOOL

[Midnight Rider]

B B....would never suggest that someone attempt to pull something apart without some experience or help from someone who does.  Or at least some really good mechanical skills which are transferable to working on most engines, particularly a Twin Cam.  The only point I was making above was that it is possible to work on a bike without an impact tool, lifts, etc.  It certainly makes life easier at times, but it's not a requirement.  Now having a proper set of sockets, ratchets, and all the other things you need, is absolutely necessary, as is a service manual, and general understanding of of what tool is needed for the job. The comment about he 3 foot length of pipe just comes from having to make do while working in the field on very large commercial/industrial HVAC equipment, where the luxury of having impact tools was not feasible because of location.  So we had big a$$ed socket sets, A frames, chain hoists, gas axes, and cheater bars to get the job done.  Not having the proper tools is probably the most frustrating part of attempting to do any job, that's why I don't even attempt carpentry...give me some wires, some piping, and nuts and bolts anytime.  I'll f up more wood than a lumberjack can provide in a day....

So you are absoltely correct....a minimal investment of a couple of thousand dollars worth of stuff is required.  And then go to the store to get more as needed for the job. I didn't know what I had until it got ripped off from my basement about 15 years ago....in those dollars, it was over 4K worth of stuff.  I had to go through the Craftsman catalog to even remember all the chit that was in the two tool boxes they carried off.  Now at least they'll have to roll it down the street...

[Twolanerider]

B B....would never suggest that someone attempt to pull something apart without some experience or help from someone who does. 

Hell I would.  Big ef'n hammer, a torch, maybe some JB Weld.  Anyone should be good to go.

[Midnight Rider]

Hell I would.  Big ef'n hammer, a torch, maybe some JB Weld.  Anyone should be good to go.

I did that to a 53 Chevy Bel Air when I was 15....learning the hard way, I think it was called.