This is for all the folks thats been talkin about how hard the alternator is to get in and out. Its only hard if you want it to be.....do it smart and slow and it will go quick and easy.....here are some critical pictures. Trust me theres only this way or harder ways......your choice.
First of all it pays to go for a short ride if you can to warm up the motor before trying the three mounting bolts. (before installing put antisieze on the threads)
Next make sure the battery is disconnected!!!!! Then make sure the battery is disconnected and either remove the battery from the bike or tie the cables away from the posts so they dont "reach" and make contact while you are working
OK, now you are ready to start.
-remove the chrome alternator cover
-remove the right and left side covers
-unbolt the center cover (both sides) or remove it altogether
-remove the three bolts holding the alternator on and with them the chrome mount for the cover
Now, as you work the alternator out (pry with a large screwdriver gently if needed you want the buggar to go straight back then angle down and toward ground beneath the center of the bike......first critical picture (like this)
Once you get the alternator to this point you can unbolt and unclip the cables. Notice the rag under the alternator to save the paint. Ive seen Valkyries where the paint on the subframe is chewed all up from alternator installation........Once you have it out, study the dampners, they are in pairs tied together and look so you know where the blades that drive the alternator go.
Putting it in is just the opposite.........the big mistake is NOT angling it down enough, then you get it wedged and it will be hard to get it back out and impossible to get it in............(dont ask) Once its all lined up, get a flashlight so you can see the dampners and turn the blades until they are lined up with the openings between the dampners pairs, then just wiggle it in (piece of cake)
Good luck Joe, and anyone else......Mine is in and putting out over 14V as it should......
