Motorcycle Drop Guards Installation Instructions & Safety Information

PLEASE READ ALL OF THE FOLLOWING BEFORE INSTALLATION

Failure to read and follow these instructions may result in improper installation, equipment damage, serious personal injury, or death.

Motorcycle Drop Guards and the Primary Indicator are aftermarket accessories and must be installed correctly. The installer and motorcycle operator assume all responsibility and risk associated with installation, inspection, maintenance, and use of these products.

If you are uncertain about any part of the installation process, discontinue installation and have the products installed by a qualified motorcycle technician.

Required Tools

• Correct size Allen wrench(s)
• Open-end wrench(s)
• Clean work surface
• Soft pad or protective surface for installation verification

Before You Begin

Before beginning installation:

• Verify that all components have been received.
• Inspect all guards, fasteners, washers, and gaskets for shipping damage.
• Verify all screws and nuts thread together freely before installation.
• Check all threaded holes for powder coat buildup, chrome burrs, debris, or other interference that could prevent proper thread engagement.
• Rubber gaskets are stamped during manufacturing and may require minor trimming so they fit completely inside the guard body without protruding after installation.

Do NOT force any component into place.

The Motorcycle Drop Guards are designed to fit properly on Harley-Davidson OEM components. If the guards do not install easily, stop immediately. Determine and correct the cause before continuing. Forcing installation may damage the guards, motorcycle, or fasteners and may result in improper protection.

Install the guards evenly on both sides of the motorcycle to ensure proper function, appearance, and impact protection.

General Installation Information

Use only the correct size tools during installation.

Improper installation, over-tightening, under-tightening, cross-threading, or using incorrect tools may damage components, strip or break fasteners, reduce the effectiveness of the product, and may result in equipment damage, serious personal injury, or death.

Torque is only an indirect indication of fastener tension. Under-tightening or over-tightening fasteners may result in equipment damage, fastener failure, product failure, loss of vehicle control, serious injury, or death.

Proper fastener tension is the responsibility of the installer.

Front Drop Guards

Place the front guards onto the Harley-Davidson OEM engine guard.

Hand-tighten all fasteners evenly until the guards are properly seated.

Verify that all rubber gaskets remain fully inside the guard body. Trim the gaskets if necessary to prevent any portion from protruding.

Evenly tension all fasteners using the correct Allen wrench and an open-end wrench. Do not over-tighten.

Rear Drop Guards

Place the rear guards onto the Harley-Davidson OEM saddlebag guard bars.

Hand-tighten all fasteners evenly until the guards are properly seated.

Verify that all rubber gaskets remain fully inside the guard body. Trim the gaskets if necessary.

Evenly tension all fasteners using the proper Allen wrench and open-end wrench.

MDG Products recommends removing both saddlebags while practicing slow-speed motorcycle skills. Removing the saddlebags reduces the possibility of damage should the motorcycle continue beyond the intended resting position ("turtle") during a training exercise.

Primary Indicator

Please Read Before Installation

The MDG Primary Indicator is an aftermarket accessory intended for use on Harley-Davidson Touring Models manufactured from 2016 and newer, including but not limited to:

• Road King
• Street Glide
• Road Glide
• Other Harley-Davidson Touring Models using the same primary cover design

The Primary Indicator is not designed for Harley-Davidson Touring Models manufactured prior to 2016.

The Primary Indicator is included with qualifying Motorcycle Drop Guard kits at no additional charge.

Although testing and demonstrations have shown no interference during lean angles equivalent to approximately 18-foot turns, any aftermarket accessory may affect motorcycle lean angle or ground clearance.

Although experienced motorcycle operators have demonstrated tighter turns with the Primary Indicator installed, MDG Products recommends removing the Primary Indicator after training and before operating the motorcycle on public roadways.

The decision to operate the motorcycle with the Primary Indicator installed remains solely the responsibility of the motorcycle owner and operator.

Primary Indicator Installation

Remove the two lower screws located beneath the Derby Cover from the PRIMARY COVER.

Do NOT remove screws from the Derby Cover itself.

Position the Primary Indicator so the mounting holes align with:

• the two lower holes beneath the Derby Cover; and
• the mounting hole located approximately at the five o'clock position on the Primary Cover.

Install the supplied Grade 8 Black Oxide screws using one supplied flat washer beneath each screw head.

The washers must be installed between the screw head and the Primary Indicator.

Grade 8 Black Oxide fasteners are supplied because stainless steel fasteners installed directly into cast aluminum may be susceptible to galvanic corrosion.

Surface rust may develop over time on black oxide fasteners. If desired, the fasteners may be properly maintained or replaced by the motorcycle owner with equivalent fasteners of the correct specifications.

Evenly tension all fasteners.

The original Harley-Davidson torque specifications apply only to the original factory fasteners. Because different fasteners are supplied with the Primary Indicator, the installer is responsible for ensuring proper installation and fastener tension.

Installation Verification

After installation of the front guards, rear guards, and Primary Indicator, the motorcycle should be carefully and slowly lowered onto each side under controlled conditions to verify:

• Impact occurs in the intended contact area.
• The guards are positioned correctly.
• The fasteners do not contact the ground.
• The guards provide the intended protection.

Perform this procedure only in a controlled environment using proper safety precautions and adequate assistance if necessary.

Inspection and Maintenance

Before every ride and after every motorcycle drop:

• Inspect all guards.
• Inspect all fasteners.
• Inspect all mounting locations.
• Verify all fasteners remain properly tensioned.
• Verify no guard has shifted position.
• Replace any damaged fasteners or components before operating the motorcycle.

Do not continue using damaged or loose components.

Motorcycle Lifting

If the motorcycle is dropped, always use proper motorcycle lifting techniques to return the motorcycle to the upright position.

Following any drop, inspect the guards, fasteners, and all motorcycle components for damage before operating the motorcycle.

Rider Responsibility

Motorcycle operation is inherently dangerous.

Motorcycle Drop Guards and the Primary Indicator are intended to reduce damage under certain slow-speed conditions only. They cannot prevent all motorcycle damage, rider injury, or death.

The motorcycle operator is solely responsible for:

• Proper installation.
• Proper inspection.
• Proper maintenance.
• Safe motorcycle operation.
• Determining whether the motorcycle is safe to operate.

MDG Products makes no representation or guarantee that these products will prevent damage, injury, or death under any circumstances.

Motorcycle operators should obtain professional rider training and operate their motorcycles only within their individual skill level.

Disclaimer

Motorcycle Drop Guards and the Primary Indicator are aftermarket accessories intended to assist in protecting certain motorcycle components during specific low-speed conditions.

Actual performance will vary depending upon the motorcycle model, installation, riding conditions, impact angle, speed, surface conditions, and numerous other variables beyond the control of MDG Products.

By installing or using these products, the purchaser, installer, and operator acknowledge that they have read and understood these instructions and assume all risks associated with installation, inspection, maintenance, and use of these products.

MDG Products shall not be responsible for improper installation, misuse, modification, lack of inspection, failure to properly maintain the product, or use outside its intended purpose to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.