I just picked up a 2008 105th Black and Copper Fatboy. I owned a softail standard back in 02-04 so it is not my first harley but its been long enough since I've owned one that I have some questions.

I've added V&H Big Shot Longs, Quiet Baffles, SE High Flow A/C, and a SE Race Tuner to complete my Stage 1 setup. They are going to install a generic mapping for these pipes and then do a full dyno tune at 1000 miles.

Here are my questions:

1) Do you think it would be ok to go on a small 90 mile trip(one way, 180 miles there and back again)through country backroads and some small towns, etc immediately after picking up bike or shortly thereafter to get some break in miles. I imagine I won't be doing a ton of stopping but speeds and gears should be up and down the entire way. Or should I just stick with City driving?

2) Also on the topic of break in. I've been reading a lot about how its better to do more agressive break in rather than babying it. Specifically I read that you should give it 3/4 throttle in third gear to punch it up from 30mph to 60mph and then let it engine break back down about 10 times. After doing this the pistons are pretty much sealed and your good to go as far as the pistons are concerned.(created a much better seal than babying it the entire breakin period) Thoughts?

3) Also do you need bike lift/stand to do routine maintenance(fluid changes, etc)?Any other basic tools/kits I will need to do standard maintenance?I would like to my own maintenance wherever possible on the easy yet expensive stuff. I saw some videos called fix my hog and was thinking about getting the softail one to learn how to do this all myself.

4) Do they even have 500 Mile maint anymore or is that all just at 1000 miles? I was planning on just riding out the first 1000 miles and then taking it in for service, switching to full synthetics for everything that gets replaced, and having it dyno tuned.

Thoughts on any of this? Thanks everyone!

 

1. yes
2. just don't lug it
3. a lift gets it up to a level that is easier to work on
4. 1000...do what you said

Life is Great....We all Ride!!!!

 

jeffbarb17 hit it pretty much dead on. To help reinforce the point here's my two cents:

1. Yes.

2. Ride it the same way (during break in) the way you will ride it after. I broke in 4 different Harleys over the past 3 years. 2/4 I babied like they suggest. 1/4 I rode like I ride it today and the last one I pretty much rode it like I stole it up to 1200 miles and then calmed down a bit. None of them ran into any problems (sans a couple blown turn signal bulbs).

3. Concur on a lift being helpful. A few other helpfuls...An oil filter wrench that will fit between filter and engine case. Torx bit sockets (5 piece set, T40-T50). T25 and T27 screw drivers for hand controls and other Torx bits that size on the bike. I've heard good things from people who bought those videos. A service manual (and parts manual if you can spring for the extra dollars) are invaluable.

4. 1000 only. They made suggestions to me about riding styles up to 500 miles and then 501-1000 but no specific maintenance at 500. You can go full synthetic at any time. I just completed 1K and 5K on two bikes (at 1800 and 6700 respectively - a bit overdue). Went synthetic in all three holes for both. Both run strong. 1K is a good time for Dyno tuning too.

Sounds like you have everything under control. Keep the rubber side down and ride on!

 

+1, on #2 I broke like I was going to ride it normally. Runs great.

 

Congrats and welcome from Atlanta!

 

Thanks guys for the responses! Can't wait to get my bike next time some week. Unfortunately it won't stop snowing in Milwaukee!

 

Hey neat! Congratulations. I agree with all the responses.

Your Copper & Black Fatboy is an Anniversary Model. Up by your ignition switch is a sequence #.

The MoCo is only making 4000 Anniversary Fatboys. What sequence # is yours?

Ride, ride, ride....that's what they're built for! Enjoy every mile, and figure out how to post some pics!!!!!



[sm=icon_cheers.gif]

 

Looks like others have already answered your questions, so I'll just say congrats on the new bike, and here's hoping the white stuff will disappear in short order.

 

Congrats on your new bike.
One thing I would do is NOT install the quiet baffles on those pipes. They sound very nice without them, not loud. You will love the sound of them. Maybe you have already heard them and still want the baffles, if so, ride safe and have fun.