2008 Harley-Davidson XL1200C Sportster 1200 Custom Service & Repair Manual

WARNINGS, CAUTIONS AND NOTES The terms, WARNING, CAUTION and NOTE have specific meanings in this manual. A WARNING emphasizes areas where injury or even death could result from negligence. Mechanical damage may also occur. WARNINGS are to be taken seriously. A CAUTION emphasizes areas where equipment damage could result. Disregarding a CAUTION could cause permanent mechanical damage, though injury is unlikely. A NOTE provides additional information to makea step or procedure easier or clearer. Disregarding a NOTE could cause inconvenience, but would not cause equipment damage or injury. SAFETY Professional mechanics can work for years and never sustain a serious injury or mishap. Follow these guide- lines and practice common sense to safely service the motorcycle. 1. Do not operate the motorcycle in an enclosed area. The exhaust gasses contain carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless, and tasteless poisonous gas. Carbon monoxide levels build quickly in small enclosed areas and can cause unconsciousness and death in a short time. Make sure to ventilate the work area properly or to operate the motorcycle outside. 2. Never use gasoline or any extremely flammable liquid to clean parts. Refer to Handling Gasoline Safely and Cleaning Parts in this secition. 3. Never smoke or use a torch in the vicinity of flammable liquids, such as gasoline or cleaning solvent. 4. If welding or brazing on the motorcycle, remove the fuel tank, carburetor and shocks to a safe distance at least 50 ft. (15 m) away. 5. Use the correct type and size of tools to avoid damaging fasteners. 6. Keep tools clean and in good condition. Replace or repair worn or damaged equipment. 7. When loosening a tight fastener, be guided by what would happen if the tool slips. 8. When replacing fasteners, make sure the new fasteners are the same size and strength as the original ones. 9. Keep the work area clean and organized. 10. Wear eye protection anytime the safety of the eyes is in question. This includes procedures involving drilling, grinding, hammering, compressed air and chemicals. 11. Wear the correct clothing for the job. Tie up or cover long hair so it can not get caught in moving equipment. 12. Do not carry sharp tools in clothing pockets. 13. Always have an approved fire extinguisher available. Make sure it is rated for gasoline (Class B) and electrical (Class C) fires. 14. Do not use compressed air to clean clothes, the motorcycle or the work area. Debris may be blown into the eyes or skin. Never direct compressed air at anyone. Do not allow children to use or play with any compressed air equipment. 15. When using compressed air to dry rotating parts, hold the part so it cannot rotate. Do not allow the force of the air to spin the part. The air jet is capable of rotating parts at extreme speed. The part may be damaged or disintegrate, causing serious injury. 16. Do not inhale the dust created by brake pad and clutch wear. These particles may contain asbestos. In addition, some types of insulating materials and gaskets may contain asbestos. Inhaling asbestos particles is hazardous to health. 17. Never work on the motorcycle while someone is working under it. 18. When placing the motorcycle on a stand, make sure it is secure before walking away. Handling Gasoline Safely Gasoline is a volatile flammable liquid and is one of the most dangerous items in the shop. Because gasoline is used so often, many people forget that it is hazardous. Only use gasoline as fuel for gasoline internal combustion engines. Keep in mind, when working on a motorcycle, gasoline is always present in the fuel tank, fuel line and carburetor. To avoid an accident when working around the fuel system, carefully observe the following precau- tions: 1. Never use gasoline to clean parts. See Cleaning Parts in this section. 2. When working on the fuel system, work outside or in a well-ventilated area. 2 CHAPTER ONE 1

3. Do not add fuel to the fuel tank or service the fuel system while the motorcycle is near open flames, sparks or where someone is smoking. Gasoline vapor is heavier than air. It collects in low areas and is more easily ignited than liquid gasoline. 4. Allow the engine to cool completely before working on any fuel system component. 5. When draining the carburetor, catch the fuel in a plastic container and then pour it into an approved gasoline storage devise. 6. Do not store gasoline in glass containers. If the glass breaks, an explosion or fire may occur. 7. Immediately wipeup spilled gasoline with rags. Store the rags in a metal container with a lid until they can be properly disposed of, or place them outside in a safe place for the fuel to evaporate. 8. Do not pour water onto a gasoline fire. Water spreads the fire and makes it more difficult to put out. Use a class B, BC or ABC fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire. 9. Always turn off the engine before refueling. Do not spill fuel onto the engine or exhaust system. Do not over- fill the fuel tank. Leave an air space at the top of the tank to allow room for the fuel to expand due to temperature fluctuations. Cleaning Parts Cleaning parts is one of the more tedious and difficult service jobs performed in the home garage. There are many types of chemical cleaners and solvents available for shop use. Most are poisonous and extremely flammable. To prevent chemical exposure, vapor buildup, fire and injury, observe each product warning label and note the following: 1. Read and observe the entire product label before using any chemical. Always know what type of chemical is being used and whether it is poisonous and/or flammable. 2. Do not use more than one type of cleaning solvent at a time. If mixing chemicals is called for, measure the proper amounts according to the manufacturer. 3. Work in a well-ventilated area. 4. Wear chemical-resistant gloves. 5. Wear safety glasses. 6. Wear a vapor respirator if the instructions call for it. 7. Wash hands and arms thoroughly after cleaning parts. 8. Keep chemical products away from children and pets. 9. Thoroughly clean all oil, grease and cleaner residue from any part that must be heated. 10. Use a nylon brush when cleaning parts. Metal brushes may cause a spark. 11. When using a parts washer, only use the solvent recommended by the manufacturer. Make sure the parts washer is equipped with a metal lid that will lower in case of fire. Warning Labels Most manufacturers attach information and warning labels to the motorcycle. These labels contain instructions that are important to personal safety when operating, ser- vicing, transporting and storing the motorcycle. Refer to the owner’s manual for the description and location of labels. Order replacement labels from the manufacturer if they are missing or damaged. SERIAL NUMBERS Serial numbers are stamped on various locations on the frame, engine and carburetor. Record these numbers in the Quick Reference Data section in the front of the manual. Have these numbers available when ordering parts. The VIN number is stamped on the right side of the steering head (A, Figure 1). The VIN number also appears on a label affixed to the right, front frame downtube (B, Figure 1). The engine serial number is stamped on a pad at the left side surface of the crankcase between the cylinders (Fig- ure 2). The engine serial number consists of digits used in the VIN number. The carburetor serial number (Figure 3) is located adja- cent to the accelerator pump linkage. FASTENERS WARNING Do not install fasteners with a strength classification lower than what was originally in- GENERAL INFORMATION 3 1 2

stalled by the manufacturer. Doing so may cause equipment failure and/or damage. Proper fastener selection and installation is important to ensure that the motorcycle operates as designed and can be serviced efficiently. The choice of original equipment fasteners is not arrived at by chance. Make sure replacement fasteners meet all the same requirements as the orig- inals. Threaded Fasteners CAUTION To ensure that the fastener threads are not mismatched or cross-threaded, start all fasteners by hand. If a fastener is hard to start or turn, determine the cause before tightening with a wrench. Threaded fasteners secure most of the components on the motorcycle. Most are tightened by turning them clock- wise (right-hand threads). If the normal rotation of the component being tightened would loosen the fastener, it may have left-hand threads. If a left-hand threaded fastener is used, it is noted in the text. Two dimensions are required to match the thread size of the fastener: the number of threads in a given distance and the outside diameter of the threads. Two systems are currently used to specify threaded fastener dimensions: the U.S. Standard system and the metric system (Figure 4). Pay particular attention when working with unidentified fasteners; mismatching thread types can damage threads. Match fasteners by their length (L, Figure 5), diameter (D) and distance between thread crests (pitch) (T). A typical metric bolt may be identified by the numbers, 8—1.25 × 130. This indicates the bolt has a diameter of 8 mm, the distance between thread crests is 1.25 mm and the length is 130 mm. Always measure bolt length as shown in L, Figure 5 to avoid installing replacements of the wrong length. The numbers located on the top of the fastener (A, Fig- ure 5) indicate the strength grade of metric screws and bolts. The higher the number, the stronger the fastener is. Typically, unnumbered fasteners are the weakest. Refer to Table 4 for SAE fastener classification. Many screws, bolts and studs are combined with nuts to secure particular components. To indicate the size of a nut, manufacturers specify the internal diameter and the thread pitch. The measurement across two flats on a nut or bolt indicates the wrench size. Torque Specifications The materials used in the manufacture of the motorcycle may be subjected to uneven stresses if the fasteners of the various subassemblies are not installed and tightened correctly. Fasteners that are improperly installed or work loose can cause damage. It is essential to use an accurate torque wrench, described in this chapter, with the torque specifications in this manual. Specifications for torque are provided in foot-pounds (ft.-lb.), inch-pounds (in.-lb.) and Newton-meters (N•m). Refer to Table 4 for general torque specifications. To use Table 4, first determine the size of the fastener as described in this section. Torque specifications for specific components are at the end of the appropriate chapters. Torque wrenches are covered in the Tools section. 4 CHAPTER ONE 3 4 U.S. Standard Metric 60° 60°

Self-Locking Fasteners Several types of bolts, screws and nuts incorporate a system that creates interference between two fasteners. Interference is achieved in various ways. The most common type is the nylon insert nut and a dry adhesive coating on the threads of a bolt. Self-locking fasteners offer greater holding strength than standard fasteners, which improves their resistance to vibration. Most self-locking fasteners should not be re- used. The materials used to form the lock become dis- torted after the initial installation and removal. It is a good practice to discard and replace self-locking fasteners after their removal. Do not replace self-locking fasteners with standard fasteners. Washers There are two basic types of washers: flat washers and lockwashers. Flat washers are simple discs with a hole to fit a screw or bolt. Lockwashers are used to prevent a fastener from working loose. Washers can be used as spacers and seals, or to help distribute fastener load and to prevent the fastener from damaging the component. As with fasteners, when replacing washers make sure the replacement washers are of the same design and quality. Cotter Pins A cotter pin is a split metal pin inserted into a hole or slot to prevent a fastener from loosening. In certain applications, such as the rear axle on an ATV or motorcycle, the fastener must be secured in this way. For these applications, a cotter pin and castellated (slotted) nut are used. To use a cotter pin, first make sure the diameter is correct for the hole in the fastener. After correctly tightening the fastener and aligning the holes, insert the cotter pin through the hole and bend the ends over the fastener (Fig- ure 6). Unless instructed to do so, never loosen a tightened fastener to align the holes. If the holes do not align, tighten the fastener just enough to achieve alignment. Cotter pins are available in various diameters and lengths (Figure 6). Measure length from the bottom of the head to the tip of the shortest pin. Snap Rings and E-clips Snap rings (Figure 7) are circular-shaped metal retaining clips. They are required to secure parts and gears in place on parts such as shafts, pins or rods. External type snap rings are used to retain items on shafts. Internal type snap rings secure parts within housing bores. In some applications, in addition to securing the component(s), snap rings of varying thickness also determine endplay. These are usually called selective snap rings. Two basic types of snap rings are used: machined and stamped snap rings. Machined snap rings (Figure 8) can be installed in either direction, since both faces have sharp edges. Stamped snap rings (Figure 9) are manufactured with a sharp edge and a round edge. When installing a stamped snap ring in a thrust application, install the sharp edge facing away from the part producing the thrust. E-clips are used when it is not practical to use a snap ring. Remove E-clips with a flat blade screwdriver by prying between the shaft and E-clip. To install an E-clip, cen- ter it over the shaft groove and push or tap it into place. Observe the following when installing snap rings: GENERAL INFORMATION 5 1 5 T L D -9.8 6 A

1. Remove and install snap rings with snap ring pliers. Refer to Snap Ring Pliers in this chapter. 2. In some applications, it may be necessary to replace snap rings after removing them. 3. Compress or expand snap rings only enough to install them. If overly expanded, they lose their retaining ability. 4. After installing a snap ring, make sure it seats completely. 5. Wear eye protection when removing and installing snap rings. SHOP SUPPLIES Lubricants and Fluids Periodic lubrication helps ensure a long service life for any type of equipment. Use the correct type of lubricant when performing lubrication service. The following section describes the types of lubricants most often required. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for lubricant types. Engine oils Engine oil is classified by two standards: the American Petroleum Institute (API) service classification and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) viscosity rating. This information is on the oil container label. Two letters indicate the API service classification. The number or se- quence of numbers and letter (10W-40 for example) is the oil’s viscosity rating. The API service classification and the SAE viscosity index are not indications of oil quality. The service classification indicates that the oil meets specific lubrication standards. The first letter in the classification S indicates that the oil is for gasoline engines. The second letter indicates the standard the oil satisfies. Viscosity is an indication of the oil’s thickness. Thin oils have a lower number while thick oils have a higher number. Engine oils fall into the 5- to 50-weight range for single-grade oils. Most manufacturers recommend multi-grade oil. These oils perform efficiently across a wide range of operating conditions. Multi-grade oils are identified by a W after the first number, which indicates the low-temperature viscosity. Engine oils are most commonly mineral (petroleum) based; however, synthetic and semi-synthetic types are used more frequently. When selecting engine oil, follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for type, classification and viscosity. Using a non-recommended oil can cause engine, clutch and/or transmission damage. Carefully consider if an oil designed for automobile applications is compatible with motorcycles. Greases Grease is lubricating oil with thickening agents added to it. The National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI) grades grease. Grades range from No. 000 to No. 6, with No. 6 being the thickest. Typical multipurpose grease is NLGI No. 2. For specific applications, manufacturers may recommend water-resistant type grease or one with an additive such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ). Brake fluid WARNING Never put a mineral-based (petroleum) oil into the brake system. Mineral oil will cause 6 CHAPTER ONE 7 Internal snap ring Plain circlip External snap ring E-clip 8 Full support areas Direction of thrust

rubber parts in the system to swell and break apart, causing complete brake failure. Brake fluid is the hydraulic fluid used to transmit hydraulic pressure (force) to the wheel brakes. Brake fluid is classified by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Current designations for brake fluid are DOT 3, DOT 4 and DOT 5. This classification appears on the fluid container. Each type of brake fluid has its own definite character- istics. Do not intermix different types of brake fluid as this may cause brake system failure. DOT 5 brake fluid is sili- cone based and the type required for XL sportsters. Other types are not compatible with DOT 5 brake fluid. When adding brake fluid, only use the fluid recommended by the manufacturer (DOT 5). Brake fluid will damage any plastic, painted or plated surface it contacts. Use extreme care when working with brake fluid and remove any spills immediately with soap and water. Hydraulic brake systems require clean and moisture free brake fluid. Never reuse brake fluid. Keep containers and reservoirs properly sealed. Cleaners, Degreasers and Solvents Many chemicals are available to remove oil, grease and other residue from the motorcycle. Before using cleaning solvents, consider how they will be used and disposed of, particularly if they are not water-soluble. Local ordi- nances may require special procedures for the disposal of many types of cleaning chemicals. Refer to Safety and Cleaning Parts in this chapter for more information on their use. Use brake parts cleaner to clean brake system components when contact with petroleum-based products will damage seals. Brake parts cleaner leaves no residue. Use electrical contact cleaner to clean electrical connections and components without leaving any residue. Carburetor cleaner is a powerful solvent used to remove fuel deposits and varnish from fuel system components. Use this cleaner carefully, as it may damage finishes. Generally, degreasers are strong cleaners used to remove heavy accumulations of grease from engine and frame components. Most solvents are designed to be used with a parts washing cabinet for individual component cleaning. For safety, use only nonflammable or high flash point solvents. Gasket Sealant Sealants are sometimes used in combination with a gasket or seal and occasionally alone. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation when using sealants. Use extreme care when choosing a sealant different from the type originally recommended. Choose sealants based on their resistance to heat, various fluids and their sealing ca- pabilities. One of the most common sealants is RTV, or room temperature vulcanizing sealant. This sealant cures at room temperature over a specific time period. This allows the repositioning of components without damaging gaskets. Moisture in the air causes the RTV sealant to cure. Al- ways install the tube cap as soon as possible after applying RTV sealant. RTV sealant has a limited shelf life and will not cure properly if the shelf life has expired. Keeppartial tubes sealed and discard them if they have surpassed the expiration date. Applying RTV sealant Clean all old gasket residue from the mating surfaces. Remove all gasket material from blind threaded holes; it can cause inaccurate bolt torque. Spray the mating surfaces with aerosol parts cleaner and then wipe with a lint-free cloth. The area must be clean for the sealant to adhere. Apply RTV sealant in a continuous bead 0.08-0.12 in. (2-3 mm) thick. Circle all the fastener holes unless other- wise specified. Do not allow any sealant to enter these holes. Assemble and tighten the fasteners to the specified torque within the time frame recommended by the RTV sealant manufacturer. GENERAL INFORMATION 7 1 9 Direction of thrust Rounded edges Sharp edges

Gasket Remover Aerosol gasket remover can help remove stubborn gaskets. This product can speed up the removal process and prevent damage to the mating surface that may be caused by using a scraping tool. Most of these types of products are very caustic. Follow the gasket remover manufacturer’s instructions for use. Threadlocking Compound CAUTION Threadlocking compounds are anaerobic and damage most plastic parts and surfaces. Use caution when using these products in areas where plastic components are located. A threadlocking compound is a fluid applied to the threads of fasteners. After tightening the fastener, the fluid dries and becomes a solid filler between the threads. This makes it difficult for the fastener to work loose from vibration, or heat expansion and contraction. Some threadlocking compounds also provide a seal against fluid leaks. Before applying threadlocking compound, remove any old compound from both thread areas and clean them with aerosol parts cleaner. Use the compound sparingly. Ex- cess fluid can run into adjoining parts. Threadlocking compounds are available in different strengths. Follow the particular manufacturer’s recommendations regarding compound selection. TOOLS Most of the procedures in this manual can be carried out with familiar hand tools and test equipment. Always use the correct tools for the job at hand. Keep tools organized and clean. Store them in a tool chest with related tools organized together. Quality tools are essential. The best are constructed of high-strength alloy steel. These tools are light, easy to use and resistant to wear. Their working surface is devoid of sharp edges and the tool is carefully polished. They have an easy-to-clean finish and are comfortable to use. Qual- ity tools are a good investment. When purchasing tools to perform the procedures covered in this manual, consider the tool’s potential fre- quency of use. If a tool kit is just now being started, consider purchasing a basic tool set from a quality tool supplier. These sets are available in many tool combina- tions and offer substantial savings when compared to in- dividually purchased tools. As work experience grows and tasks become more complicated, specialized tools can be added. Some of the procedures described in this manual require specialized tools and/or equipment. In most cases, the tool is described in use. In some cases a substitute tool may work. However, do not risk injury or damage to the equipment by using the incorrect tool. If the required tools are expensive it may be more cost effective to have the taskperformed by a dealership or qualified shop. The manufacturer’s part number is provided for many of the tools mentioned in this manual. These part numbers are correct at the time of original publication. The pub- lisher cannot guarantee the part numbers or tools listed in this manual will be available in the future. Screwdrivers Screwdrivers of various lengths and types are manda- tory for the simplest tool kit. The two basic types are the 8 CHAPTER ONE 10 11

slotted tip (flat blade) and the Phillips tip. These are available in sets that often include an assortment of tip sizes and shaft lengths. As with all tools, use a screwdriver designed for the job. Make sure the size of the tip conforms to the size and shape of the fastener. Use them only for driving screws. Never use a screwdriver for prying or chiseling metal. Re- pair or replace worn or damaged screwdrivers. A worn tip may damage the fastener, making it difficult to remove. Wrenches Open-end, box-end and combination wrenches (Figure 10) are available in a variety of types and sizes. The number stamped on the wrench refers to the distance between the work areas. This size must match the size of the fastener head. The box-end wrench is an excellent tool because it grips the fastener on all sides. This reduces the chance of the tool slipping. The box-end wrench is designed with either a 6- or 12-point opening. For stubborn or damaged fasteners, the 6-point provides superior holding ability by con- tacting the fastener across a wider area at all six edges. For general use, the 12-point works well. It allows the wrench to be removed and reinstalled without moving the handle over such a wide arc. An open-end wrench is fast and works best in areas with limited overhead access. It contacts the fastener at only two points, and is subject to slipping under heavy force, or if the tool or fastener is worn. A box-end wrench is preferred in most instances, especially when breaking loose and applying the final tightness to a fastener. The combination wrench has a box-end on one end, and an open-end on the other. This combination makes it a very convenient tool. Adjustable Wrenches An adjustable wrench or Crescent wrench (Figure 11) can fit nearly any nut or bolt head that has clear access around its entire perimeter. Adjustable wrenches are best used as a backup wrench to keep a large nut or bolt from turning while the other end is being loosened or tightened with a box-end or socket wrench. Adjustable wrenches contact the fastener at only two points, which makes them more subject to slipping off the fastener. The fact that one jaw is adjustable and may loosen increases this possibility. Make certain the solid jaw is the one transmitting the force. Socket Wrenches, Ratchets and Handles Sockets that attach to a ratchet handle (Figure 12) are available with 6-point (A, Figure 13) or 12-point (B) openings and different drive sizes. The drive size indicates the size of the square hole that accepts the ratchet handle. The number stamped on the socket is the size of the work area and must match the fastener head. As with wrenches, a 6-point socket provides superior-holding ability, while a 12-point socket needs to be moved only half as far to reposition it on the fastener. WARNING Do not use hand sockets with air or impact tools, as they may shatter and cause injury. Always wear eye protection when using impact or air tools. Sockets are designated for either hand or impact use. Impact sockets are made of thicker material for more du- rability. Compare the size and wall thickness of a 19-mm hand socket (A, Figure 14) and the 19-mm impact socket (B). Use impact sockets when using an impact driver or air tools. Use hand sockets with hand-driven attachments. Various handles are available for sockets. The speed handle is used for fast operation. Flexible ratchet heads in GENERAL INFORMATION 9 1 12 13

varying lengths allow the socket to be turned with varying force, and at odd angles. Extension bars allow the socket setup to reach difficult areas. The ratchet is the most ver- satile. It allows the user to install or remove the nut without removing the socket. Sockets combined with any number of drivers make them undoubtedly the fastest, safest and most convenient tool for fastener removal and installation. Impact Driver WARNING Do not use hand sockets with air or impact tools as they may shatter and cause injury. Always wear eye protection when using impact or air tools. An impact driver provides extra force for removing fasteners, by converting the impact of a hammer into a turning motion. This makes it possible to remove stubborn fasteners without damaging them. Impact drivers and in- terchangeable bits (Figure 15) are available from most tool suppliers. When using a socket with an impact driver make sure the socket is designed for impact use. Refer to Socket Wrenches, Ratchets and Handles in this section. Allen Wrenches Allen or setscrew wrenches (Figure 16) are used on fasteners with hexagonal recesses in the fastener head. These wrenches are available in L-shaped bar, socket and T-handle types. Allen bolts are sometimes called socket bolts. Torque Wrenches A torque wrench is used with a socket, torque adapter or similar extension to tighten a fastener to a measured torque. Torque wrenches come in several drive sizes (1/4, 10 CHAPTER ONE 14 15 16 18 17

2008 Harley-Davidson XL1200C Sportster 1200 Custom Service & Repair Manual

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