Drilling into Tour Pack

Originally Posted by ms_tapestry

Where are y'all headed on the 17th? Did someone say Abilene?

Going to SA meet up with Al: BigAl and who knows who all for the trip to CC on the 18th>

Something about an April Fools run to CC>

We don't normally go through Abilene as we cut through but last trip we went to the dealership there because I was having a bike problem>

Turned out to be the battery cable shorting to the frame> hence Les's comment about me getting my 'terminals' adjusted>

You said you were going and then said you were not going so what is the final word?

[trmn8r]

Originally Posted by Berserker

I though the template sucked, or I was to dumb for it. This is not a poll.

no you're right the template sucked!

[Infidel!]

The template did suck. I threw it away. The directions sucked too, which is surprising because HD parts usually have great instructions. They must have been written by their Chinese division.

I put the tape on the lid and set the rack on it, and it slid right off. I thought I had the bike nice and level, and it was still sliding off. I wanted to look from different angles before I marked but the blue tape was slippery like teflon. I took the blue tape off and put regular masking tape on and the rack stayed put. I marked it and took the rack off.

After I realized MsTapestry wasn't coming to drill the holes for me I drilled a small hole in each of the marks. Then I got the 9/32 bit out and drilled the larger holes. I had forgotten the tour paks were no longer made of fiberglass - thanks trmn8r for reminding me of that. The material is surprisingly thin. The drill bit went through before the hole was completely cut on the first one.

After the big holes were done came what was the hardest part. I must have been off a little on one or more of the holes, because it was a bitch getting all the bolts started. I tried and tried and tried and tried and all of a sudden it automagically seemed to align. I think maybe if I had another pair of hands it would have been easier. Anyways it's done and looks good. I didn't use a caliper on it, but I think it's close. Check it out:

[FinalBags]

It's a little off, man.















Off the fuggin chain!
Good job!

Originally Posted by txhawg

The template did suck. I threw it away. The directions sucked too, which is surprising because HD parts usually have great instructions. They must have been written by their Chinese division.

I put the tape on the lid and set the rack on it, and it slid right off. I thought I had the bike nice and level, and it was still sliding off. I wanted to look from different angles before I marked but the blue tape was slippery like teflon. I took the blue tape off and put regular masking tape on and the rack stayed put. I marked it and took the rack off.

After I realized MsTapestry wasn't coming to drill the holes for me I drilled a small hole in each of the marks. Then I got the 9/32 bit out and drilled the larger holes. I had forgotten the tour paks were no longer made of fiberglass - thanks trmn8r for reminding me of that. The material is surprisingly thin. The drill bit went through before the hole was completely cut on the first one.

After the big holes were done came what was the hardest part. I must have been off a little on one or more of the holes, because it was a bitch getting all the bolts started. I tried and tried and tried and tried and all of a sudden it automagically seemed to align. I think maybe if I had another pair of hands it would have been easier. Anyways it's done and looks good. I didn't use a caliper on it, but I think it's close. Check it out:

glad you were successful>

Now have a beer and relax>

[FinalBags]

Man you have a nice rack.

[Berserker]

Originally Posted by txhawg

The template did suck. I threw it away. The directions sucked too, which is surprising because HD parts usually have great instructions. They must have been written by their Chinese division.

I.jpg[/IMG]

The one thing I usually commend HD on is there directions and manuals. I thought they could have made up a template for the lid rails too. That was my 1st ******* puckering expereince. Had the bike a few months, hadn't done anything major to it yet.

[Infidel!]

Originally Posted by pairofnines

glad you were successful>

Now have a beer and relax>

I was supposed to wait till I was finished? I didn't se that in the instructions either. Anyways thanks for your help and support!

[Rock]

A little overhang to the left won't even hurt your fuel mileage. Looks good.

[ms_tapestry]

Originally Posted by pairofnines

Going to SA meet up with Al: BigAl and who knows who all for the trip to CC on the 18th>

Something about an April Fools run to CC>

We don't normally go through Abilene as we cut through but last trip we went to the dealership there because I was having a bike problem>

Turned out to be the battery cable shorting to the frame> hence Les's comment about me getting my 'terminals' adjusted>

You said you were going and then said you were not going so what is the final word?

Not coming because I can't get the vacation time. I've tried to put the event out of my mind. . .(event envy) and apparently I've been somewhat successful.

Daniel, I offered to drill you but you never called. . .

[Bofinn]

I'm extremely mechanically challenged, but I did install mine, after sleeping at a Holiday Express...


Good Job!

[Infidel!]

Originally Posted by ms_tapestry

Not coming because I can't get the vacation time. I've tried to put the event out of my mind. . .(event envy) and apparently I've been somewhat successful.

Daniel, I offered to drill you but you never called. . .

You're right. You could have brought your tool belt with you