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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Putting on the cylinder head/engine covers
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Message started by WillieB on 02/18/24 at 11:29:20

Title: Putting on the cylinder head/engine covers
Post by WillieB on 02/18/24 at 11:29:20

Hi everyone,
I'm new here! I purchased my 2006 S40 Boulevard off of a friend about 3 years ago. I noticed it was missing the cylinder head covers on each side. I purchased some off of eBay and purchased all the mounting bolts/pads off of Revzilla.

My question is, can I merely unbolt the gas tank and lift it up a bit (without fuel spilling out) to have enough room to put the covers on or do I need to remove the tank? Just checking before I have an accident. I do think a hose might need to be disconnected as there is an open slot on the right cover that looks meant for that hose to go through. I think my buddy and his cousin left the covers off just to make things more accessible. To me, it just looks kind of funny, especially on the left side, where the spark plugs are exposed.

Thanks,
Willie

PS: My bike is on my YouTube channel, "Willie was a Hippie"

Title: Re: Putting on the cylinder head/engine covers
Post by Surviving Philly on 02/18/24 at 11:44:47

The way the tank is mounted you can't really lift it from the front. Luckily removing the tank is easy (two bolts, pull it forward, up, then back. Disconnect speedo wire and fuel line)

Those head covers are cosmetic and I personally run mine without them for weight reduction, ease of access to the plug. Make sure you have the rubber grommets for them if you're putting them back on.

Title: Re: Putting on the cylinder head/engine covers
Post by Dave on 02/18/24 at 12:37:08

0F3E2A333130333E315F0 wrote:

Luckily removing the tank is easy (two bolts, pull it forward, up, then back. Disconnect speedo wire and fuel line)

Well....maybe.

If you have the stock vacuum operated petcock, it hits the frame and will not allow the tank to be lifted up and removed.......you have to drain the tank and remove the petcock. (There are a few unusual bikes where tolerances are adequate to get the tank off with the stock petcock on - but most do not).

If you have the manual Raptor petcock - it does not interfere and you can remove the tank with the petcock attached to the tank.

The first time you take the tank off it is a bit intimidating on how to lift up the tank and balance it on the frame while you unhook the wire connector to the indicator lights in the speedometer - but after a few times it gets to be easy and routine. I lay a towel where the seat was and rest the back of the tank on the towel while I do the wire connector.....I have already unhooked the speedo cable prior to lifting up the tank.

Title: Re: Putting on the cylinder head/engine covers
Post by Surviving Philly on 02/18/24 at 14:04:19

Huh ... I forgot all about the stock petcock. I do remember when I still had a stock tank/petcock it did come off without needing to drain it but it was awkward. 2013.

Title: Re: Putting on the cylinder head/engine covers
Post by WillieB on 02/18/24 at 23:27:54

Thanks for the replies and info! Now I can see why my friend & his cousin (co-owners of the bike previously) left the cylinder head covers off. If you have to remove the tank to just get to the spark plugs, I see how that could be a pain. Well, I'll figure out what to do. If I don't put them on, then I wasted some $$.

Thanks,
Willie

Title: Re: Putting on the cylinder head/engine covers
Post by zevenenergie on 02/19/24 at 00:59:21

Is this your bike?
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/B0cdsATBmio

Title: Re: Putting on the cylinder head/engine covers
Post by ThumperPaul on 02/21/24 at 11:28:21

It is a love-hate relationship with the glory covers. And the stock vacuum petcock valve needs to be throw in the ocean! It’s ridiculous you have to remove the petcock valve in order to remove the tank and get to the motor.

I’m cheap. I don’t even buy the Raptor petcock valve. I get the $8.95 Chinese e.bay specials. Buy 3 and replace as needed. You get a fresh fuel screen/filter this way too when they do decide to crap out. My grandson’s dirt bike still has one that was installed 4 years ago. Still working and not leaking.