Hi folks.  I have a 2007 FXST which I have decided to add some bling to, as I find the alloy engine too difficult to keep clean.  My question is how hard is the HD engine chrome kit to install?  If I take the primary cover off, will oil or bearings etc spill out?  Is it the same for the transmission covers etc? I am pretty handy with tools.

Cheers in advance.

Yes remember the gaskets mines a sporster and idid the chrome thing and thought i would  skimp on the gaskets only to have to take the stuff of a cupla months later and put new ones in

gaskets are cheaper if you buy the set

doing it all yourself is a good way to get to know your bike

good luck

You better get a workshop manual.....or get a NIGHTROD you wont have todo shit.

I love alloy,I don't have to worry about scratching it, just polish it a bit and prestoSorry, just my 2 cents.

But I like the grey motor Streetbob, does this mean I don't have any taste ?? and what about all the blacked out H.D.'s ?? They will have to spend a fortune on chrome ??? then when everyones bikes are all chrome how will I find mine in the parking lot ???? I didn't realize I bought a cheap model at $26,000 I just thought I bought the one I liked !! I am confused, so I am going to lie down now ????????

PETER as long as ur happy FUCK the rest

Thanks fellas.  Although I could probably do the work myself, the bike is only 4 weeks old, so I think warranty and common sense (not that it is common these days) would dictate that a qualified Harley mechanic play with the engine, gaskets and associated areas.

I probably didn't make my initial message clear.  I bought the bike fully cognisant of the grey engine, with the intention of blinging it up.  Why not buy a Fat Boy or a Softail Deluxe I hear you ask?  My initial intention was to buy a Fat Boy; however, they offered me the FXST less on roads, which saved me nearly $6000.00 in comaprison to a Fat Boy.  A mate of mine owns a Fat Boy and he suggested that if he had that offer, he would probaly have taken it as well.  Although I am aware that there are cosmetic and minor handling differences between the two models, the engine, box and tank are all the same.  I bought the chrome kit from the US of A, thus a significant saving was had there.  My calculations indicate that even after I have blinged the bike up, I still am ahead and still had money left over for safety gear for my wife (helmet, jacket. Draggin Jeans, boots, attitude etc).

I don't actually mind the grey motor, but I much prefer chrome.  When it comes time to trade her in on a new one, I have the option of taking the bling off and selling it privately, or keep it on to push for a better deal, as the next bike will be something like a Softail Deluxe.  I could never overcapitalise on my bike, as I didn't buy it as an investment - it is a toy that I play with on weekends. Some may call it escapism???  Although they keep their value reasonably well, contemporary off the line models will not appreciate in any real way until they become rare.  I can't see a 2007 FXST becoming rare - not whilst I own one anyway.

Anyhow, thanks for the valued advice, and who knows, I may see you on the road somewhere - I will be the one with the blinged up FXST!

Stay upright and pointed in the right direction. Cheers...........

abiously ur 1st harley mate , once uve had a few ull no exactly what we are all talking about , till then it would probly do ya good to listen to some of the experianced harley ownes who have been here and done it

its as simple as this

 a genral moter bike mech hd/or other, example u wana stop the back fire out a cv carby , they will fuck around and probly still not fix this anoying probly ,or just tell u to put a mikuni on there to fix it ,cost $600-$700

a true hd mech will strip it down and put a washer in there and a bit of this in there and the cv carb will be  fixt ,no more problem and it will now suport a 100+hp donk , cost $ 100

thats just one of differances between harley shops/stealers , and the custom harley shops/ hd mech who have pride in there work and dont just have pride in there work time sheet

im not having a go at ya mate as it probly seems, its from my experiance of owning 9 hds and learning as ive gone along like u will learn aswell , these ppl have good reason to hang shit on the places that strive on selling and not on after sales service of the top quality as we expect from a company selling $25,000+ bikes

in my book its called seel ya the bike then hang ya out to dry

Thanks folks. As I said, to each his own.  There are situations where there are better car mechanics than others as well.  Not a unique situation.  Again, I think the main crux of the matter has been overlooked.

If HD is such an unreliable company for parts and service, why still buy their motorcycles? Some have indicated that they have had 8 HD's.  Why not learn by your mistakes and move on?  I don't undrstand - you bag the company, but still buy their products (I should point out here that although this is my first HD, I have had cars etc etc for many years).

Like you guys, I am not having a go, merely having a discussion on a discussion forum (although I may be getting off track).

think ya missing the point  mate, dont think we can explain it to ya , but feel welcome to come back to this post in a yr or so and let us no if u understan by then  all these ppl u see having a bitch are bitching for a reason , not because they wish they had bought a japer

the reason ive had so many hds is not because there a bad thing is cause them HD people keep bringing out differant models  now i would not feel right if i was still riding my 1000cc iron head sporty

Thanks guys.  Much appreciated.

Oooh,thats just plain nice when we can make up like that

My local HD dealer only had two exhausts to choose from when i purchased my night rod, one was slip ons (ugly) and other was vance and hines (which is for competion use only "for drags"), i thought f#*k it ill get one kick ass exhaust made the way i want it (with help of my brother who is a stainless steel fabricator), check the photos, all stainless steel 2 into 1 to a  3" pipe with 90 degree tip and fitted with genuine harley baffle to give it nice deep thump, power is awesome and have been flooded with requests to make others, and we are taking orders, for the "FAT19 custom exhaust" check the photos available in chrome or Satin / matt black. Comes with screamin eagle heat shield with genuine "screamin eagle" logo or you can have plain. tell us what you think.