5K service at home or dealer?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 2,296
Likes: 1,807
From: space
I do my own service. But when I was around 4500 miles I let a dealer that I trust do the 5,000 mile service only because I was going on a 2,000+ mile trip and had new tires that I wanted put on. But guess what, half way through the trip the trip the transmission plug fell out. Luckily I didn't ride too long with no tranny oil before I stopped an wondered why the back of my bike and bags were covered in oil.
There was a Harley dealer at the next exit, I got there 10 minutes before they were supposed to close. They stayed open to help me and only had one transmission plug left in stock. When I got home I went the the local dealer, told them what happened and showed them the paperwork. They refunded me the money and I heard thru a friend that the mech that worked on my bike was new and almost got fired.
Now, if I were you I would have the local dealer do the service. Only because they have a 5,000 mile check list and are suppose to check everything. A good mech will check stuff that's not on the list too.
There was a Harley dealer at the next exit, I got there 10 minutes before they were supposed to close. They stayed open to help me and only had one transmission plug left in stock. When I got home I went the the local dealer, told them what happened and showed them the paperwork. They refunded me the money and I heard thru a friend that the mech that worked on my bike was new and almost got fired.
Now, if I were you I would have the local dealer do the service. Only because they have a 5,000 mile check list and are suppose to check everything. A good mech will check stuff that's not on the list too.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,121
Likes: 3,636
From: backwoods
You can't really screw up an oil change and clutch adjustment, as long as put oil in. You adjust clutch wrong you will know it.
But I kinda agree, if you are asking, your hearts not in it.
No one works on my bikes but me. I am cheap, I enjoy it, and to stupid not to.
I'd rather buy the tools and never use them again. But an adult male should own what is needed for this. If not good excuse to get it.
But I kinda agree, if you are asking, your hearts not in it.
No one works on my bikes but me. I am cheap, I enjoy it, and to stupid not to.
I'd rather buy the tools and never use them again. But an adult male should own what is needed for this. If not good excuse to get it.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 4,345
Likes: 3,392
From: Seattle
I do all of my services myself.
The original owner of my bike I got the service record for it, and turns out they did the 1000mile service 300miles late and they overfilled the bike by at least 20oz.
The dealership's tech didnt read the ****ing dipstick because if I left the dipstick in but didnt turn it in, the bike read the correct oil level. But if I turned the dipstick in all the way like the dipstick and service manual tell you to do...
The bike was overfiled. How do I trust a dealership that can't even read the manual or even the dipstick?
I cant.
I do all my services myself unless it's something I cant do myself.
The original owner of my bike I got the service record for it, and turns out they did the 1000mile service 300miles late and they overfilled the bike by at least 20oz.
The dealership's tech didnt read the ****ing dipstick because if I left the dipstick in but didnt turn it in, the bike read the correct oil level. But if I turned the dipstick in all the way like the dipstick and service manual tell you to do...
The bike was overfiled. How do I trust a dealership that can't even read the manual or even the dipstick?
I cant.
I do all my services myself unless it's something I cant do myself.
Supporter
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 913
Likes: 829
From: Texas
I bought a service manual and do everything to my bike at home. Maintenance, tires and repairs. I would make an exception if I bought a new one and needed warranty work. There will be repairs that require tooling that I can't justify buying. I'm a technician at a different kind of dealer and I just feel better knowing that I did it.
You have to be honest with yourself about what you're capable of. You may be a smart guy but you have to be smart enough to know your limitations.
You have to be honest with yourself about what you're capable of. You may be a smart guy but you have to be smart enough to know your limitations.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 953
From: Sarasota Florida
I have found that the lowest skilled techs are often assigned to do the routine maintenance checks. The service manager assigns the jobs and is the key here because he should know what the quality of the work is that is being done in his shop. Unfortunately, there are a lot of shops where no one really cares about quality, are sloppy, and make avoidable mistakes.
I had my bike in at the dealer for the 1000 mile service and shortly thereafter found out that all the handlebar bolts were loose and that one had backed completely out. Obviously a safety check was not done. Leadership sets the standard and if they don't care no one will.
I asked the dealer to have his master tech do my stage 2 and waited several weeks until he was available. Later, when I hooked up the thundermax at home I find out that he didn't even bother to load the updated map into the thundermax, but didn't forget to charge several hours of labor for it.
All in all, it's luck of the draw who you get. Just need to keep looking for a dealer or indy who has some professional pride.
I had my bike in at the dealer for the 1000 mile service and shortly thereafter found out that all the handlebar bolts were loose and that one had backed completely out. Obviously a safety check was not done. Leadership sets the standard and if they don't care no one will.
I asked the dealer to have his master tech do my stage 2 and waited several weeks until he was available. Later, when I hooked up the thundermax at home I find out that he didn't even bother to load the updated map into the thundermax, but didn't forget to charge several hours of labor for it.
All in all, it's luck of the draw who you get. Just need to keep looking for a dealer or indy who has some professional pride.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 227
Likes: 132
From: California
I do all my own maintenance on my bikes, but if I were going to take it to a shop Id go to Dyna Dicks in Lake Elsinore.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,976
Likes: 1,880
From: SF Bay Area
Things I pay others to do:
- Car and Bike maintenance repair
- Pool Cleaning
- Dog grooming
- House painting
Things I do myself:
- Strangely enough yard work. I find it very relaxing and very few tools tossed across the garage in frustration. Lol
Last edited by Calif Fat Bob; Aug 11, 2023 at 05:03 PM.
