Main Menu
|
Active Threads
|
Keep & Kill
Last Post: Crusty
Posted On: 49 Minutes Ago
Replies: 34,250
Views: 2,140,473
Chrome
Last Post: Ted Town
Posted On: 5 Hours Ago
Replies: 5
Views: 126
|
Members Birthdays
|
|

27th November 2022
|
 |
XL FORUM TEAM MEMBER
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 373 Sportster/Buell Model: XLH883/1200 Sportster/Buell Year: 2002
|
|
Nosecone Timing Cover
I guess it's just my opinion. I turned mine sideways. I know it don't look right but I hate that the timing cover is supposed to be riveted in place.
Am I alone on this?
__________________
- Thou shalt not bow down and worship nor serve the God of Chrome; for, lo, he is a false god and will not get thy butt home.
|

27th November 2022
|
Chief Master Mechanic
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 466 Sportster/Buell Model: XLH1000 Sportster/Buell Year: 1977 Sportster/Buell Model #2: 2004 XLH1200Custom Other Motorcycle Model: 2007 FXDB Other Motorcycle Year: 2004
|
|
The timing cover is riveted on from the Factory so it's "tamper proof," in accordance with the EPA Regulations. HOWEVER, those rivets and the "tamper proof" carb mixture screw plugs have been removed on damn near every Harley out there. Turning the Timing Cover "sideways" makes me wonder. How did ya line up the screws to put it back on? OEM is top and bottom. Sideways is left and right.
|

27th November 2022
|
 |
XL FORUM TEAM MEMBER
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 373 Sportster/Buell Model: XLH883/1200 Sportster/Buell Year: 2002
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1Scooter
The timing cover is riveted on from the Factory so it's "tamper proof," in accordance with the EPA Regulations. HOWEVER, those rivets and the "tamper proof" carb mixture screw plugs have been removed on damn near every Harley out there. Turning the Timing Cover "sideways" makes me wonder. How did ya line up the screws to put it back on? OEM is top and bottom. Sideways is left and right.
|
The rivet holes are side to side. I rotated it and used the holes in the up and down orientation causing the "5" to lay sideways.
|

27th November 2022
|
 |
XL FORUM LIFE MEMBER
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 9,031 Sportster/Buell Model: Xl1250S Sportster/Buell Year: 98 Other Motorcycle Model: Kawasaki Vulcan 500 Other Motorcycle Year: 95
|
|
Just swap to an aftermarket cover, chrome or whatever and it'll look right.
Or you can get some HD rivets and put it back stock.
edit:
You could use self tapping sheet metal screws with Loctite to mate the inner and outer covers too.
Last edited by Hippysmack; 27th November 2022 at 04:28..
|

27th November 2022
|
Senior Master Custom Bike Builder
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 4,453 Sportster/Buell Model: 1250 Sportster/Buell Year: 1991
|
|
I used a 8-24 (or 10-24) tap and tapped the holes, then used some Allen head cap screws.
Also, must again give thanks to member Tim the Grim for making the timing cover for me from a belt buckle. Eternally Grateful!
I do have a couple Harley rivets if you want to just use rivets, will send for free if you're interested, just PM your address.
John
|

27th November 2022
|
 |
XL FORUM TEAM MEMBER
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 373 Sportster/Buell Model: XLH883/1200 Sportster/Buell Year: 2002
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by John Harper
I used a 8-24 (or 10-24) tap and tapped the holes, then used some Allen head cap screws.
Also, must again give thanks to member Tim the Grim for making the timing cover for me from a belt buckle. Eternally Grateful!
I do have a couple Harley rivets if you want to just use rivets, will send for free if you're interested, just PM your address.
John
|
Thanks for the offer but I don't want to rivet it. I might tap the original holes like you did though.
|

30th November 2022
|
 |
XL FORUM TEAM MEMBER
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 11,269 Sportster/Buell Model: 1200s Sportster/Buell Year: 2001 Sportster/Buell Model #2: xlch Sportster/Buell Year #2: 1974
|
|
+1 mr. john
i attached mine via ss screws also
the rivet needs to be a blind rivet if you use them so water stays out.
|

20th January 2023
|
 |
XL FORUM TEAM MEMBER
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: League City
Posts: 825 Sportster/Buell Model: XL1200S Sportster/Buell Year: 2003
|
|
You can take the plate and drill and tap the holes where the rivets vent and use screws. I did it but later on I put an AMF era points cover that had the holes vertical.
__________________
Better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.
|

21st January 2023
|
Senior Master Custom Bike Builder
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Heart of Dixie
Posts: 8,269 Sportster/Buell Model: XLX-61 Sportster/Buell Year: 1983 Other Motorcycle Model: Honda CL350 Other Motorcycle Year: 1969
|
|
I bought a timing cover with vertical holes. Problem solved…

|

21st January 2023
|
 |
XL FORUM TEAM MEMBER
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 373 Sportster/Buell Model: XLH883/1200 Sportster/Buell Year: 2002
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by 83XLX
I bought a timing cover with vertical holes. Problem solved…

|
Cool
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:45.
|