Big twin up keep
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 82
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From: Iowa
Big twin up keep
I'm guessing a big twin is pretty much like any other motor. Oil changes every 2-2.5k primary oil every 1-1.5k.jeep battery on battery tender when not riding. Check tire pressure every week. New brake pads around 15-20k depending on riding style. New tires every 5-6 year or when worn if that happens before the years.wash and wax every weekend. Is there anything I'm missing that I need to do to make my dyna last 20+ years. Don't the big twins have iusses with the cam chain guides around 30-50k? Primary chain should probably be checked for the right play every 5k or so also run 91 or higher Oct fuel. Try to never let set in the sun without being covered let me know if I'm missing anything thanks
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Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Detroit area
I'm guessing a big twin is pretty much like any other motor. Oil changes every 2-2.5k primary oil every 1-1.5k.jeep battery on battery tender when not riding. Check tire pressure every week. New brake pads around 15-20k depending on riding style. New tires every 5-6 year or when worn if that happens before the years.wash and wax every weekend. Is there anything I'm missing that I need to do to make my dyna last 20+ years. Don't the big twins have iusses with the cam chain guides around 30-50k? Primary chain should probably be checked for the right play every 5k or so also run 91 or higher Oct fuel. Try to never let set in the sun without being covered let me know if I'm missing anything thanks
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Joined: Mar 2016
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From: Iowa
O cool thanks for letting me know that I didn't know the new motors didn't have the tensioner iusse
AFAIK the problems were with the early twin cam 88s, they had a spring-loaded tensioner and problems with "cam walk" which let side-to-side movement of the chain trash the tensioner. AFAIK the later ones (incl. 96/103/110) with the hydraulic tensioner are OK. Victory loves to brag about how their tensioner shoes and guides are so much larger than Harleys, but that's by necessity since the SOHC Victory engine has miles of timing chain.
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Joined: Feb 2015
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From: Galt's Gulch - MI
Don't forget, you've got 3 holes on that Wide Glide 
Transmission fluid isn't in your maintenance schedule you've listed along with brake fluid flushes and fork oil changes.
If you don't have a service manual and a parts manual yet you should be getting them, the SM covers all the maintenance and repair procedures that you'll need to know to keep your bike in flawless condition. A service manual is money very well spent...
Transmission fluid isn't in your maintenance schedule you've listed along with brake fluid flushes and fork oil changes.If you don't have a service manual and a parts manual yet you should be getting them, the SM covers all the maintenance and repair procedures that you'll need to know to keep your bike in flawless condition. A service manual is money very well spent...
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Ohio
You don't need to change the primary every 1500 miles! Every other oil change will be fine, or 10,000 miles. And if you run synthetic in the engine, you can go 4-5,000 miles between changes, or once a year. The tranny can go about 15-20,000 miles if you use gear oil. I would never use motor oil in my tranny. I use Golden Spectro 6-Speed Platinum, designed especially for HD 6 speeds. Pricey, but tranny is smooth as butter.
Keep up with basic maintenance, and that Dyna will be happily cruising down the highway for many, many years.
Keep up with basic maintenance, and that Dyna will be happily cruising down the highway for many, many years.
Last edited by hd4evr2008; Aug 19, 2016 at 12:18 PM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: southeast PA
Changing primary oil every 1500 miles is a waste of oil. The owner's manual calls for every 10,000, and trans fluid every 20,000. Sure, you can shorten these intervals if you feel better doing it, but even if you cut them in half you'll be more than good.
Ditto on the shop manuals, but your owner's manual will have your service schedule in it, as well as other useful info on how things work.
Ditto on the shop manuals, but your owner's manual will have your service schedule in it, as well as other useful info on how things work.
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Joined: Mar 2016
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From: Iowa
Sadly I didn't get a owner manual and yea I did forget fork oil. I'm use to sportsters I forget the big twins have trans oil primary oil and motor oil I'm still learning the ks for the answers I'll see if I can afford a service manual soon
Don't forget, you've got 3 holes on that Wide Glide Transmission fluid isn't in your maintenance schedule you've listed along with brake fluid flushes and fork oil changes.
If you don't have a service manual and a parts manual yet you should be getting them, the SM covers all the maintenance and repair procedures that you'll need to know to keep your bike in flawless condition. A service manual is money very well spent...
Transmission fluid isn't in your maintenance schedule you've listed along with brake fluid flushes and fork oil changes.If you don't have a service manual and a parts manual yet you should be getting them, the SM covers all the maintenance and repair procedures that you'll need to know to keep your bike in flawless condition. A service manual is money very well spent...
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,907
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From: Galt's Gulch - MI
I mean this honestly, the service manual will be one of the best $60 you'll spend on your bike. Check eBay, you may be able to score one there for less cash...
I've always taken my service manuals to Office Depot and had the bindings cut and then set them up in several binders with the pages sleeved in plastic so I can reference them easily in the garage. If you want to truly maintain that Wide Glide, the service manual will make sure you can I have no plans on buying another HD that doesn't have a shovel or pan in it; this is my last new HD 
I've always taken my service manuals to Office Depot and had the bindings cut and then set them up in several binders with the pages sleeved in plastic so I can reference them easily in the garage. If you want to truly maintain that Wide Glide, the service manual will make sure you can
I have no plans on buying another HD that doesn't have a shovel or pan in it; this is my last new HD