I am wanting to install chrome switch housings on my 2011 heritage but want to leave on the original black switches to keep in theme with the bike. I've never pulled a housing apart before and seen inside, so I'm just wondering will this be a easy job or will springs be flying out everywhere and be hitting me in the eye etc?
I did the same to mine, Pretty easy job in the end. Best advice get a manual. By memory if you buy gen switches you get the installation instructions with the parts.
Well after reading an American forum on installing them and also managing to google the instructions I've decided that me and my bratwurst fingers won't be doing it. I'm going to save putting a hammer through the window and let Harley city do it on my next service. Everyone on this american forum wished they never started it. Loosing starter springs and breaking switches has just scared me off.
Although Heritages are on the easier end to do, its probably a wise move to get it done. One mans easy is another mans worst nightmare! I've done it a coupla times b4, one on a sporty, non gen housings and had to drill hole for brake switch, and on my fatty which has indicator wire thru bottom housing and wire goes thru bars, down and out under tank into a pin block. Pull the pins, pull out the wires with a lead wire to pull them back thru... blah blah blah. definately a job for the more experienced spanner wrangler. Like i said, you made a wise decision. You never know untill you try though.
Hi I know this post is a little late but I thought I would add my experience having done this just last night myself (for anyone looking into it). I read the horror stories on the US site too and nearly didn't have a crack but thought it could be a good learning experience as I've never worked on my bike before (only fitted cosmetic stuff). I'm not a tradie but would say I'm capable - my tradie mates would disagree
I fitted new housings, new switch covers, levers and clutch/brake fluid reservior kit all genuine parts- the whole session (less a bleed which I'll muddle through tonight) took 3 hrs.
The switch covers take time but are simple enough and didn't seem brittle or easily damaged to me at all. However the switch housings take a lot of associated mucking around i.e. Clutch adjustment to release the cover, throttle linkages released to remove from bottom cover, friction knob removal etc etc.
It can be quite frustrating chasing a few small retaining clips around your garage (throttle linkage to switch housing retaining clips!!) but it's not rocket science and I have to say I have learned a thing or two about how the bike straps together - and I feel good about that and the $$ I left in my pocket!
Hope that is of use to someone.
Cheers
Oh...one last thing, the HD instructions that come with the parts do make this sound sooooo much more difficult that it is in practise!!
Just watch no wires are pinched when you put it all back together.
