First service...(How many People)?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,410
Likes: 143
From: Palm Desert,CA
I'll speak from my own experience as a brand new person to wrenching...
I had an Indy do my first service because I thought that they would be checking bolt torque and such on areas I would have a problem reaching or understanding. I liked the peace of mind it gave me while I bought a decent tool set and some cheap torque wrenches.
Now after that I decided that I would start to do all work on my own, starting with a shop manual, Sears Jack ($75) tool set and torque wrenches.
I had never touched a motorcycle or internal combustion engine ever in my life. I have since completed my own 5000 mile full service and fluids, replaced my cams, lifters, push rods, handlebars, basic wiring, plate/signal relocation, fork springs, rear shocks, grips, motor mount and more. These forums among others and YouTube really have a ton of info.
There is literally nothing that I wouldn't try at this point. It's been a worthwhile learning experience and if I had the tools a couple months earlier I would have done my first service on my own.
I had an Indy do my first service because I thought that they would be checking bolt torque and such on areas I would have a problem reaching or understanding. I liked the peace of mind it gave me while I bought a decent tool set and some cheap torque wrenches.
Now after that I decided that I would start to do all work on my own, starting with a shop manual, Sears Jack ($75) tool set and torque wrenches.
I had never touched a motorcycle or internal combustion engine ever in my life. I have since completed my own 5000 mile full service and fluids, replaced my cams, lifters, push rods, handlebars, basic wiring, plate/signal relocation, fork springs, rear shocks, grips, motor mount and more. These forums among others and YouTube really have a ton of info.
There is literally nothing that I wouldn't try at this point. It's been a worthwhile learning experience and if I had the tools a couple months earlier I would have done my first service on my own.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 539
Likes: 5
From: Harleyland, USA
I took my first bike in for first service 43 years ago and it was the very LAST time I let a dealer work on my bike. Maybe the fact that I needed to retune the carb after that visit to get it running properly again had something to do with it.
Get a factory shop manual and parts manual and learn to do it yourself. Nothing on a motorcycle is very hard. I no longer do much work on my fuel injected, 24 valve, etc. cars because the tight spaces make it difficult. But motorcycles are simple to access.
Regarding warranty, as long as you save receipts for the parts (oil, filter, etc.), a dealer can't void your warranty if you or someone else does the work. A federal law from 1975 called the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act covers you.
Get a factory shop manual and parts manual and learn to do it yourself. Nothing on a motorcycle is very hard. I no longer do much work on my fuel injected, 24 valve, etc. cars because the tight spaces make it difficult. But motorcycles are simple to access.
Regarding warranty, as long as you save receipts for the parts (oil, filter, etc.), a dealer can't void your warranty if you or someone else does the work. A federal law from 1975 called the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act covers you.
Banned
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 98
Likes: 7
From: Maurice, La
I agree.
When I picked up my new WG they led me around to introduce me to the parts counter staff, the clothing and accessories staff and finally the shop. They told me to be sure and bring it in for my first service for only $385.00. Yeah, a $385 oil change. I know they also check " critical fasteners" I seriously doubt they check much more than I can't so it Aint gonna happen. They got my money for the bike. I will even buy my oil at autozone or from cycle gear. Same goes for tires when I need them. They charge almost $400 to buy and install a tire. Last bike I bought the tire online for 139 from Dennis kirk and cycle gear mounted it on the rim for me for 40 bucks. Would have been 20 if I had bought the tire from them but the tire price was higher. That's a $220 savings for less than an hours work. Long as you have a service manual and a decent set of wrenches and torx bits you can do virtually anything yourself.
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,633
Likes: 54
From: GA
I find working on bikes extremely satisfying. I'm like some others in that I took my bike to the shop for it's first service. Then I found out how much it cost for a first service and I haven't been back unless it's a warranty related item. I think the local dealer charges somewhere around $250 for an oil change which is still ridiculous in my book. The fluids alone can be pricey if you're buying synthetics and such but there isn't $175 (or whatever) worth of labor involved.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,046
Likes: 398
From: sugar land, gulf coast, tx
My first Harley was an 05 Heritage. Bought a maintenance plan, that allowed for free services every 2500 miles. Not a bad deal, but traded the bike before all the cost was recouped. Since then, all services have been done in my garage. Plenty of owners get all their work done at the dealer, but you don't have to be one of them, if you don't want.
At 65, the work isn't as much fun as it was 40 years ago, but still more satisfying than paying $3-500 for basically fluid changes. tp
At 65, the work isn't as much fun as it was 40 years ago, but still more satisfying than paying $3-500 for basically fluid changes. tp
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 2,015
From: Missouri
I'm gonna start doing my own maintenance
I just bought the service manual off ebay, new for 49.99 and free shipping. I figure if I do one service, it'll more than pay for itself.
Ya know, I bought my bike new from the dealership about 2 years ago, and because of warranty concerns and knowing my own limitations, I always took it to the dealer for tires/maintenance. Everyone in sales, merchandise, and clerical depts at that dealership are so friendly. Then you get back to the shop to schedule an appointment, or should I say disappointment....Plan on them being booked for at least the next 2 weeks minimum. They act like you are bothering them, and they are too busy to talk with you. The mechanics won't hardly speak to you, and they don't go above and beyond...ever.
I actually ride my Harley and put real miles on it. Last year I got back from Sturgis and had a rally to go to the next wknd and noticed the front tire was getting slick. Ended up taking it to a local indy who charged me about $100 less than the dealership would've charged.
For the kind of money they charge, I expect top notch service. I also bring the bike in for service and wait for it. They want to come pick it up with their truck and trailer, keep it for a week or so, then bring it back. Not gonna happen with me.
This forum has a lot of good info and advise. I'm gonna start saving money and reading more.
Ya know, I bought my bike new from the dealership about 2 years ago, and because of warranty concerns and knowing my own limitations, I always took it to the dealer for tires/maintenance. Everyone in sales, merchandise, and clerical depts at that dealership are so friendly. Then you get back to the shop to schedule an appointment, or should I say disappointment....Plan on them being booked for at least the next 2 weeks minimum. They act like you are bothering them, and they are too busy to talk with you. The mechanics won't hardly speak to you, and they don't go above and beyond...ever.
I actually ride my Harley and put real miles on it. Last year I got back from Sturgis and had a rally to go to the next wknd and noticed the front tire was getting slick. Ended up taking it to a local indy who charged me about $100 less than the dealership would've charged.
For the kind of money they charge, I expect top notch service. I also bring the bike in for service and wait for it. They want to come pick it up with their truck and trailer, keep it for a week or so, then bring it back. Not gonna happen with me.
This forum has a lot of good info and advise. I'm gonna start saving money and reading more.
Well the response that I have gotten on this topic is what I had expected! I want to do the service myself but the dealership made me nervous about the whole warrenty thing. I live in Louisiana and used to work offshore as a drilling rig electrician, moved into the mechanical side and did lift boat mechanic work for a couple years, then moved from boats to helicopter electronics, now I am a helicopter elctronic engineer. I have the tools and the ability to do any service on the bike. I am glad I asked this question it gives me even more confidence to get this done myself. Anyone have a link to a service manual on ebay.... 2014 streetbob. ????
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Your bike is gorgeous!!!!!!!! great job !
Nothing gonna go wrong with your bike in the 2 years you have a full warranty anyway. I bought my 2010 brand new and have never had an issue and I am the only one to ever do any work/service on my bike.
Just get the service manual from Ebay and do your own work and learn something new. These bikes are easy to work on.
Just get the service manual from Ebay and do your own work and learn something new. These bikes are easy to work on.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,410
Likes: 143
From: Palm Desert,CA
I haven't seen any on ebay recently but just set an alert to see if one pops up. I bought mine from the dealer I think it was $60 same bike as yours. For now I only did the Shop manual and not the electrical. The shop manual has basic info on elec but I figure I'll pick it up when I need it, whereas the shop manual has everything you'll need for almost all service and modifications. You're obviously pretty skilled and will have no problems.