advice on Harley Altenator?

[dustyr]

i have the primary cover off of my 1999 1200 sporty. i'm takin the altenator out for replacement. the manual keeps mentioning the [engine sprocket nut] and a special tool to loosen that nut. the book doesn't show exactly which is that nut. i have an idea but still need to figure how to remove without this "special tool". thanks

 

[cycleshopwest]

You need a surfboard. It's a piece of metal about 6 inches long that has 45 degree bevels on each end, you put it between the drive and driven gears so that it locks the two together when loosening the nut.

If you don't have a surfboard, the whole assembly including the primary chain will rotate instead of breaking the nut loose.

You can also use a stepped piece that wedges between the chain and gear teeth, but sometimes they get jammed in there and are hard to get out, especially with oil on them.

Get a surfboard or make one from any flat bar, 1-2" wide, that you can angle in between the two sets of gears in the primary.