First service...(How many People)?
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 284
Likes: 5
From: Pa
I bought service manual & had a copy on my comp also. I have been working on turbine pwr helicopters a maintained a GIV-SP. I couldn't use my craftsman atv/cycle lift because the arms were under the xsmn & eng drain plugs. Did it on Jiffy stand. I was surpised that the Primary you have to remove cover to service! Like a friend told me " who do you think they have doing fluid changes? some unskilled low paid person"because I was going to take it to dealer cause it was free except the extra $$ to switch to full synthetic. I feel much better knowing I did it & used tq wrench too.
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,633
Likes: 54
From: GA
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. ????
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 195
Likes: 20
From: Shitcago
agree.... after a so called "qualified service tech" took 7 weeks to fix the tranny on my 05 sporty then slid it across the parking lot because the dipshit did it wrong I WILL NEVER let any steelerships do anything other than mount tires for me! Even then I cringe because I've even had them install my front wheel backwards!!! It aint there bike,they don't give a flyin farnoosh!
by the way...took me 4 days to replace the tranny in my 07 bagger from finding a tranny on ebay(new pullout) to having the bike on the road! 7 weeks to fix a sporty tranny...and they wonder why people are buying jap bikes!
Intermediate
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 31
Likes: 3
From: Minnesota
Doing my first service tomorrow on my own. I agree with everyone else including the torque wrench if you don't have one. Downloaded the PDF version of the manual for $19.00. Picked up the o ring kit and chaincase oil at the dealership, and wherever you want to get the engine and transmission oil and filter.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 618
Likes: 16
From: beaumont texas
I'm like the rest in here. I do my own service work. Take your oil filter to the local auto zone, advanced auto or whatever. They usually have a wall of oil filter socket wrenches. Get the right one.
Tourer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 276
Likes: 63
From: Jasper, AL
I've done all my own service work, including the first one. I was originally planning on letting the dealer do the first one, but I put on the first 1000 miles in 7 days, and the earliest weekend slot at either of my closest dealers was 4-5 weeks out. I'll echo what the others have said. Get a torque wrench, a service manual, and the correct t-27 torx bit for the derby cover screws. The T-25 that comes in most sets is too small, and will strip out the heads of the screws.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 836
Likes: 92
From: Sonoma Co - California Formaly East Bay
Some great advice here so far... Besides the torque wrench, and specialty bits, is there any other tools anyone would recommend?
After looking at the stock head pipes while assessing the upcoming exhaust swap, it seems like an angled ratchet may be a good tool to have. I was also thinking that it looks a little sketchy tackling a bar swap using only the jiffy stand. Is there a jack or stand that anyone can recommend?
After looking at the stock head pipes while assessing the upcoming exhaust swap, it seems like an angled ratchet may be a good tool to have. I was also thinking that it looks a little sketchy tackling a bar swap using only the jiffy stand. Is there a jack or stand that anyone can recommend?
Last edited by Maxxsmart; Jun 21, 2015 at 07:23 AM.
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