Front caliper removal, '05 Ultra

[MegaGlide]

OK, last time they were a hair from coming off doing it by the book, so I pulled the axle and wrestled w/ the front wheel to do it.
Obviously, that's not my first choice.

Where was my mistake?
Do I need to rock them back and forth to get the pistons fully retracted? Didn't do that last time.
If so, do I need to remove some fluid first, or can I leave the cap on the master cylinder throughout?
I don't think they were cleaned when they put the new pads on. So much for saving time by having a shop do it...

[TalonChief]

They should just pull off the rotor. A little rocking won't hurt, but don't overdo it. If you can get them up a little, a wood dowel works good to spread them apart the rest of the way.

[vafatboy]

I don't know if will work on the touring models, but I pull the pins and drop the pads first. Then the caliper comes off easily.

[y2kflhr]

you should be able to unbolt them, rock them and pull them off the rotor, careful not to ding the fender when they slip off....you can also wrap a screwdriver with a light towel and put it in between the rotor and the inside of the caliper to help pull it off the caliper.

[PeaceKeeper]

Yup what they said, done mine about 4 or 5 times, they slide right off but very very close to the fender. Rock the caliber to compress the pistons, then they should slide off. Mines an 04 so I guess they are the same as yours.

[RKotter]

And rotate them down a bit towards the bottom of the fender.

[y2kflhr]

actually the correct method is pull the wheel, remove the fender grab a sawzall, cut of the bolts, have a beer, smash something with a hammer, light a cigar, have another beer, drop the bike off the lift, have a cigarette, think syn or dino, admire your work, go to bed, wake up and remember how you mangled your bike.....

[DaSkip]

I unbolt the calipers and slide the assembly off, wrap in a shop towel/tape and then do your task.

[y2kflhr]

Originally Posted by DaSkip

I unbolt the calipers and slide the assembly off, wrap in a shop towel/tape and then do your task.

what fun is that?

[DaSkip]

Originally Posted by y2kflhr

what fun is that?

Just keepin' it clean and scratch free baby!

[vafatboy]

Note to self..get a bagger and then contribute in related threads, but then they appear to be a bitch to work on.

[y2kflhr]

Originally Posted by vafatboy

Note to self..get a bagger and then contribute in related threads, but then they appear to be a bitch to work on.

we are talking about mega....what would you expect? I think he wants sympathy from boop when she reads this post, he is really in the garage hiding from honey doos....

[Highmiles]

Originally Posted by vafatboy

Note to self..get a bagger and then contribute in related threads, but then they appear to be a bitch to work on.

[Bone Stockman]

Don't have a bagger, but mine just pops off.

[DaSkip]

Originally Posted by vafatboy

Note to self..get a bagger and then contribute in related threads, but then they appear to be a bitch to work on.

Hey, it's a way of life for me. I try to leave whatever I'm working on, cosmetically the same, but functionally better. Yes, my life could be easier.