I am trying to change my front belt sprocket to an 883 sprocket. Anyone have any ideas on how to keep it from turning when loosening the nut without buying the HD special tool?

Thanks
Shooter

Put it in gear?

The 1 7/8 nut is a reverse thread (right hand). I used a 1/2" impact and had no problem as the torque on the nut is only 55 ft. lbs. Trying to take it off in the normal left hand manner will make it seem as though it is tighter than hell.
When you get the new sprocket on be sure to readjust the belt as it does need to be tighter with the smaller sprocket.

Stephen Hawk

feed a foot of nylon rope down the front sparkplug hole and slowly spin the motor till it compresses the rope
don't stick all the rope in , leave some out for removel... also make sure its on the commpession stroke so the valves are closed

If you have the cast wheels on the bike just put a piece of soft wood between the spokes of the rear wheel and against the swing arm. It has worked for me. soft wood doesn't damage anything and doesn't leave any marks. Leave the belt tension tight untill the nut is loose and then loosen the belt to remove the nut the rest of the way.

Thanks for the advice. I will try it tonight.

Shooter

I just replaced mine and there is really no way to hold it (for me anyway, solid back wheel, and I wasn't going to risk tearing up the rear pulley). We tried using the 3/4" impact, but dad remembered that the air compressor needs at least a 1/2" hose to run that monster.

We wound up having my brother sit on it and hold the front brake, chock the back wheel with a concrete block, me holding the 3/4" drive ratchet, and dad taking a block of wood and smacking the hell out of it. It broke it loose and then we spun it off the rest of the way.

I'm going to go buy a 1/2" to 3/4" adapter so I can use my fancy impact next time...