Harley-Davidson Sportster Cam Cover Chop Customisation How to Video

[@JoseSerrano-ct2rf]

Just field tested my new chopped cam on my 2017 Forty-Eight Sporty. Works perfect. Tight. Solid. No leaks. Looks awesome! This chop really exposes and shows off the engine. Thanks Girl on a Bike! Your video was great. You rock! Love this mod.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Great job! That's awesome. So chuffed to hear my video helped too. Thank you for taking the time to comment and tell me how it went too. Mega appreciate that. If you're on Instagram I'd love to see a finished photo? Could you add to a story and tag me? @thegirlonabike

[@heystuwie7778]

Did you have any issues while doing this mod

[@JoseSerrano-ct2rf]

Damn! I'm speechless. Girl on a bike crushed this mod. Just awesome. I've been chopping my 48, and can't wait to do this one. Thanks Girl.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

❤️

[@jamespolucha6911]

Best video on this, so many people think you have to remove the push rods to do this, I’m so glad you showed them all, nice job.

[@NomadMoto]

iv been holding off on this because thats all i would hear...

[@mrbreezeet1]

@@NomadMoto Me too. I want to replace mine too, but worried about having to remove the rocker boxes too. And they say the cam(s) might come out with the cam Cover Too. And I'm worried about getting it back on without the cams being thrown out of place.

[@mrbreezeet1]

Mine is an 2002 also. Is hers a rubber mount? 2004 and up?

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Glad it helps dude. It's an amazingly easy job!

[@bigdude382]

You are a total badass...one of the best biker diy channels yet.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

❤️

[@HumVDoctor1]

Great DIY video, thank you. I would love to do this to my 2011 XL1200c but the cover is chrome so I guess I'll have to have it re-chromed after chopping.

[@viclopez3365]

Hello young lady, I’m building a 2014 883 Sportster for my wife and I really like the tire you have on your bike. I would like to know if they fir the original size wheels or are they aftermarket wheels. I noticed the front fenders I gone too, is there one that would fit with the fat tires. Thank you in advance. You’re amazing!!!😊

[@johndjenssen]

Excellent and very well done video. Best one I have found so far. Planning on doing this to my 1998 Sportster bobber soon

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Aw thank you. Did you ever get round to doing it? I'd love to see a photos, maybe if you're on Instagram post in a story and tag me @thegirlonabike?

[@thirdgearboogie2210]

Very well done. Very detailed video on how to. I feel that anybody could do this if they watched this particular how to video. Looks great! Thank you for the great content.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Jordan Thomas aw thank you

[@nmiguel2091]

Hi there! Just Loved the Video! You talked about the Service manual, could you please drop a link for the Download? I would trully apreciate. Thanks!

[@TheGirlOnABike]

So sorry for the slow reply, I've totally missed comments. I've just gone to give you the link and the website has been shut down. "401 In response to a complaint we received under the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act, we have removed manual from this page" DOH! Sorry dude

[@HARMARSCH2]

Vanessa that looks bad ass. Excellent video.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

HARMARSCH2 aw thank you. I really appreciate your feedback and support 💖

[@axelpteeg]

Love the card board trick . Well useful

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Glad you liked it! it's saved me many a times haha [memory like a fish hehe]

[@axelpteeg]

@@TheGirlOnABike Sorry , what was the question ? haha

[@bloodstockvip2176]

Skilled and proper job done, nice with a real difference before/after, top stuff thanks for sharing! I wouldn't dare do this, I'd break something 😂

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Aw thank you dude

[@ahhsoulcybcyborg8465]

I would love 🧡to do this project on my 48 special , 2018 , but would be paranoid the gears would come out with the cover, with spring tentions from the rods above causing them to fly off everywhere, do u have to rotate the pistons at a particular level to release the pressure on the cam orbital surfaces.😊

[@TheGirlOnABike]

I hear you, take it slow. I didn't have any issues on pressure or tensions. Just took it slow. If they did shift, it's just a realignment thing, all good learning I'd say.

[@darthdiggler9914]

Yeah you should be concerned with that. Do yourself a favor and watch Hammer's instructions in their cam swap video

[@nonyabiz9487]

Very cool you got me interested! I hope you do more of these little projects you did a very good job with the tutorial and it looked like you had fun with it too. Do more stuff!

[@TheGirlOnABike]

❤️

[@ethan0145]

Aren’t you supposed to relieve the spring tension by removing the rocker boxes before removing the sportster can cover? Doesn’t this risk damaging the cam galleys?

[@paulanddianne69]

that cardboard template is a brilliant idea... ive never seen that before ...I just try and put bolts on the ground in a way I hope to remember what order they go back in, always forget though hahaha

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Mega, glad it helps dude. It's saved me many time. I'll put them down set that I'll remember which is which....and nop. I never remember! haha

[@kurtfoulke5130]

I was very surprised to see that the ignition pick-up is no longer in the cam cover but I am blown away that you can remove & reinstall the cover while the tappets are pushing on the unsupported cams under the pressure of the valve springs !!! That's a long sentence but, I did say that I'm blown away lol. Can someone with an understanding of physics please explain this to me ?

[@ahhsoulcybcyborg8465]

have installed Roland & Sand pulley guard on my 48 Special 2018, and then screwed back header pipes back on before i saw this great video. Do i still have to uninstall the bloody header pipes AGAIN, to slip off the cam cover while only taking off the brake rod & pedal ....looks like plenty of room , but want to be sure.😲

[@TheGirlOnABike]

I'm sure you need to take the exhaust headers off and the brake linkage

[@ahhsoulcybcyborg8465]

@@TheGirlOnABike roughly how far does the cover need to come apart outwards from the engine before u can swing it up to take oil hose off ? seems like heaps of room before it would hit the header pipe. And MOST IMPORTANTLY , what is stopping the gears coming out with the cover when taking it off , messing up the cam timing on our 48 special :(😊

[@ahhsoulcybcyborg8465]

my cam cover is chrome , is it worth doing by polishing the exposed cut end & bottom to match the chrome . Aluminium comes up pretty good if highly polished the knew exposed ends.

[@BerserkerNick]

Awesome job. Are you going to cut down the front sprocket cover down as well?

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Aw thank you. No, not planning to do that bit

[@floridadiveservices4207]

Very well explained video! I can tell that you really love what you do, congrats!! 👌

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Aw thank you

[@bejooalnajjar2782]

Just subscribed to your channel keep up the good work honestly very impressive and looking forward to more custom videos like that specially on the 48

[@TheGirlOnABike]

❤️

[@artgomez3157]

Mad skills.

[@disco41]

Excellent video 👍

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Aw thank you

[@philcaron]

Thank you so much! I'm ready to do mine 😊

[@jjmotorsjin1083]

The repair room is the same as me ~ Beautiful ~ I always watch KZbin ^^

[@TheGirlOnABike]

❤️

[@Rocket510]

That came out sick af! Nice vid overall! 👌

[@TheGirlOnABike]

RocketRyder510 yey that's dude. Appreciate it

[@Rocket510]

@@TheGirlOnABike 👊✌🚀

[@roldanmike94]

Nice, I’m definitely gonna do that now

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Mega! Let me know how it goes, I think it looks sick!

[@brucecarter6196]

I just somehow found you on Instagram and now here. Awesome video and thanks for sharing all your adventure pics and vids. Love it !!

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Yey thanks for finding me!

[@mustangguns7230]

Love it, the sprocket doesn't give you any problem just by been with out the cover?

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Technically I should say...there is risks, something could get caught in it, it could come off.... bla bla but being honest from my experience it is absolutely find. Never had any dramas and probably done 10k miles like it.

[@davescupper5789]

If i had your skill and patience i would have a go at mine.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Aw hehe

[@johngilbert6810]

Beautiful, intelligent, artistic, mechanically inclined...and she rides a Harley.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Aw thank you ❤️

[@clarkmale4372]

What kind of rear brake system do you have? Hydraulic?

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Hey I've sold this bike now so honestly can't remember. It was definitely hydraulic

[@jimweagant8920]

Looks good and good video thanks for sharing

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Thanks for watching Jim

[@Nrgpack]

Wow, nice job !!!

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@georgevegas3322]

It is a very rare case where that cover slides on like that regardless of how you line it up. The proper way of doing this is to loosen up the rockers and relieve the downward pressure on the cams. 1 out of 50 goes this easy.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Good gen. Thanks

[@AdaMoto83]

Great vid and makes the bike look even better. Awesome!! 🤙🏾

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Yey thank you

[@ukv2115]

does the color match the original and does it resistance to heat?

[@TheGirlOnABike]

yes it does match original paint, I bought the official Harley-Davidson spray paint to ensure colour match. And the paint is heat resistant

[@bejooalnajjar2782]

I actually searched all around for a video of custom paint rocker box cover and never found anything can you do one for that 48 make it black or the same color as the bike if you don’t mind

[@TheGirlOnABike]

oh gosh, that's a hunt! It would be pretty easy to take of the rocker box and spray it. The textured finished paint is really easy to work with. It's not something i'm looking to do on mine to be honest as I like it black. Sorry that doesn't help you!

[@72nortoncommando]

Steady hand ya have👍

[@TheGirlOnABike]

❤️❤️❤️

[@loftyone874]

Hi, was that a cordless grinder your using?

[@TheGirlOnABike]

no it was plugged in

[@tomfletcher2345]

Nice! I got a sportster that I'm going to chop 😎

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Good choice! Awesome!

[@edwinvitanza2626]

Ottimo lavoro Brava 😎

[@TheGirlOnABike]

❤️❤️

[@NomadMoto]

You don't need to loosen the push rods?

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Off The Grid no, you don't need to touch them 🙂

[@NomadMoto]

Maybe its because we have different year bikes. mines a 2002 hugger

[@morganridings5725]

@@NomadMoto On the '03 sporties and earlier you definitely have to take the rocker box off first to release pressure on the cams, pushrods, rockers, etc. I know they switched some shit in the cam side on the '04 and up but not sure all the implications of those changes.

[@NomadMoto]

@@morganridings5725 Thanks man. I finished the cam chop. I did everything you said. It came out really good.

[@mrbreezeet1]

@@NomadMoto mine is an 2002 also?

[@marcpinion]

Nice job

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Thank you

[@mustangguns7230]

Nice job, subscribed

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Aw thank you

[@tmarx88]

I love this, its so mellow and clear instructions, she is smokin hot which helps, lol. Thanks for the video...bravo.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Aw thank you. Mega appreciate it

[@chabib23]

Do you need to release pressure before you take the cam cover off?

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Pressure on what? The cam lobes? I didn't touch the cams at all, just the case removal

[@chabib23]

@@TheGirlOnABike I am not sure, I asked elsewhere about replacing the Cam cover and I was told that I had to take off the rocker cover and rocker arms to relieve pressure first.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

@@chabib23 ah ok, that's the pressure on the cam lobes. I didn't have any issues

[@chabib23]

@@TheGirlOnABike Ok thanks a lot!

[@MrBoehol]

@@TheGirlOnABike You have to do it or else you can ruin some of the bearings. the are are allways forse on on or two cams.

[@azimyaakub1295]

Wowwww....nice job...thumbs up

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Azim Yaakub aw yey. Thanks dude 😀

[@Braderkins]

Before you remove the cam cover you MUST loosen the rockers otherwise you could damage the cam bushings. Then you’ll never get it back on… easily.

[@VictorManuelMendozaJr]

Great video, I'm about to chop mine. You are always so beautiful!

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Nice! Good luck, it's a great look!

[@VictorManuelMendozaJr]

@@TheGirlOnABike I'll post a pic, are you on Instagram?

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Yeah for sure instagram.com/thegirlonabike @thegirlonabike

[@noelbriffa1528]

whoooow well done hey :)

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@richardmerritt5600]

Brill 👍

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Thanks Richard

[@kilyounglee1]

멋쟁이 ~~~~ 나도 언젠가 따라해야지

[@TheGirlOnABike]

❤️

[@MrBoehol]

A good job and nice looking after. BUT never take the cover off before you have take off the tension from the valvelifters . I know that you can take it off without any problems but when you put it on again the cams are not in the exact right posiseons from the tension. You can ruin the cambearings in the cover with the small chips from the bearing when you forse the cover on. How do i know that?? Guess !! And if you need a rubber mallet or similar when you put the cover back. You have big problems. without force from the cams, Just put it back with hands... Just a warning my friends.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Thanks for the tips ❤️

[@kevineldridge9452]

Loose hair & rotating assemblies are not a good mix...

[@mrbreezeet1]

I was worried about that too.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

hehe when you have hair you're very aware of where it is so please don't worry. ❤️ Love the concern though, thanks lovely

[@jake8074]

Too old, and way too married ...so that leaves adoption. Let me know, cheers...

[@TheGirlOnABike]

ooo do you live in The Bahamas? It yes, consider me daughter haha

[@TheGirlOnABike]

I'd also be interested in other Caribbean islands hehe

[@mrbreezeet1]

Do you Like cats and RU single? I'd Marry you tomorrow!!~!!!.................................LOL Very nice job!! I like to see a woman that likes to wrench, and has hobbies like mine, Instead of Busting My A$$ about my hobbies...................LOL!! BTY, does the drive belt look like it could stand to be adjusted a "small bit" tighter? All the Other videos I have seen, said you would not be able to get the cover back on with out removing the Rocker Boxes, I would like to replace the (flaking) chrome one on mine, But am concerned about the Cam(s) coming out with the cover, and/Or getting the cover back on without Issue. (I SEE YOU DID!!) I thought of cutting my push-rods, and using aftermarket adjustable push-rods, but they want too much money,

[@TheGirlOnABike]

anthony diodati Haha 🤣😘

[@mrbreezeet1]

@@TheGirlOnABike lol, that's funny right? I've only said that on your video and Jessi Colter the late Waylon Jennings ex-wife well Widow LOL oh..... You are cute as a button though LOL

[@brettallgoodtunes9483]

New sub, great job!! Can I get you a sandwich or an adult beverage? 😂😂

[@TheGirlOnABike]

haha bacon bap and coffee always goes down well ❤️

[@thebestihol]

where is the centering pin? cut, it's useless. LOL we will talk about it again in 40,000km ;-)

[@TheGirlOnABike]

No nothing cut. Maybe this model is different to the one you're thinking. Bike runs perfect, done 20k miles and zero issues.

[@thebestihol]

@@TheGirlOnABike look at 2min 30 you will see it next to your screwdriver

[@anthonylynn1969]

Ooh I didn't want to look when you had that grinder going with all that long blond hair dangling loose. Tie it back before it gets tangled and scalps you x

[@TheGirlOnABike]

hehe yeah I know, I've had the hair 30 years now so I've learned how it moves and falls so not too worried BUT it's a very fair point! hehe I'll be more careful, thank you for caring!

[@anthonylynn1969]

@@TheGirlOnABike. No worries.. Enjoying your videos by the way.. Stay safe ☺️

[@razvantica3647]

nice and.. 😂😂😂

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Cheers dude

[@specialse]

You should have relieved the pressure on the cams by slackening the rocker gear , your lucky the cams never came flying out under pressure , the cam cover supports the out side of the cams under load .and having to retime every thing . not the correct way to do this. but it does look good .

[@TheGirlOnABike]

didn't have any issues but good to know

[@specialse]

Didnt want to be an on line know it all....Was an HD tech for 20 years and saw my fair share of miss haps , keep up the good work , we need more young people into the scene . or there wont be one .

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Thanks for the encouragement dude. Mega appreciate it, totally know what you mean about the scene ❤️🙏

[@TheSevenboy127]

Looks like u exposed ur oil spout nasty look u didnt think this thru to well lol good job tho but now ur oil line will be exposed try again with new cam cover

[@TheGirlOnABike]

The oil line wasn't exposed, all was good. I've done 10k miles since with zero issues. Thanks for the concern but it was all great.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Maybe this is a problem on an older carbureted or evo engine. Not an issue on the 2015

[@TheSevenboy127]

So ur saying ur oil line from the tank isnt visible ur crazy u butchered up ur can cover if the oil spout wasnt exposed whyd u have to remove it to cutt ur cover 🤔

[@TheSevenboy127]

@@TheGirlOnABike my bike same year as ur i just have tons more work done not just cosmetic upgrades

[@TheGirlOnABike]

@@TheSevenboy127 because the but if the cover staying intact is has the oil spout. That was not harmed at all. Sounds like you've just got too much time on your hands. My bikes is absolutely find post the mod, nothing was harmed, so you can stop worrying. Cheer dude

[@TheLoneWolf_andCoyote]

Easiest way to damage all the bronze oil lite camshaft bushings is to remove the camchest cover without loosening up the rocker boxes and taking valvespring pressure off of the camshafts. That is the biggest hackjob I have ever seen on a camchest cover using a hand grinder? really? A mill such better way to do the job definitely an epic fail of a motorcycle mechanic.

[@TheGirlOnABike]

Thanks for watching dude. We're all entitled to our opinions. It all worked perfectly for me so the angle grinder and process was no issue at all. And I'm no motorcycle mechanic and never have I pretended to be, just doing what works for me at home learning as I go, you'll see that if you check out my channels 🙏 happy new year

[@dead7748]

I suspect using a milling machine would have taken hours to get a stable set up that meant you weren't cutting any 'floating' areas of the casing. Also based on how many angles there are on it it would require about 3-4 set ups unless you had a rotary table. Besides, the bronze bushings are tough bastards. They'd have managed fine. Truly the only complaint that could be made about her technique in this video would be that using an angle grinder on aluminium can be a bit dicey as the disc can get clogged with the aluminium however as she was working with cast she seemed to be quite safe. I suppose I am blessed to have access to a surface grinder, manual mill, cnc mill, and a lathe however truly the only three tools she needed were an angle grinder, sandpaper and an idea. A bandsaw would have helped but she got there either way.