It gets easier with more repetitions just because we learn how everything goes together and comes apart, as well as the proper tool sizes to remove which fasteners. Also, we learn the very specific sequences required so there is less and less wasted effort.
I really don't mind removing the fairings, and I really don't mind removing the valve cover (and checking valve lash, changing spark plugs, and similar things that are that deep in the engine compartment) but I really hate removing the frame braces and the fairing stays. My bike has a lot of additional wiring (farkles) and attachments (the actual farkles) that get in the way so it is even tougher than when the bike was stock. I think the fairing stays and the associated wiring, hoses, clips and similar are the nastiest things to remove on the C-14, at least as far as I have had them apart. Removing the driveshaft for example is FAR easier than removing the valve cover just because of all the work to get to the valve cover in the first place.
Brian
After 14000 mikes I finally went under the skin for some overdue maintenance. The good news is all the notorious header nuts were tight as well as all the others that are under the "skin" like the valve cover. The bad news is I have to look elsewhere for the buzzing problems that make my hands go numb. The ugly is the faring its self. What a pain in the derrière. But I'm proud to say it all went back together with no spare parts left over. Installed a K&N air filter. The old air filter didn't look as bad as I thought it would seeing that I've ridden in the rain a lot (not by choice) and the trip out west last year was very dusty. I was expecting to see an adobe brick in there. I did buy some new plugs but the old ones look like brand new. So I'll save them for an over the winter project.
A senior poster here said the faring removal gets easier after the third time. I wonder if that means like getting one piece on only to find that I was under or over or not lined up with another piece and had to start all over again?
