Need advice on first service:overkill
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
From: Diamond bar, California
This a assuming that they acually to anything other that change the oil and check the tire presure (which i doubt they do)!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,579
Likes: 10
From: S.E. MO
Doing the service on your Harley is not any harder than on anything else. It just takes a little longer because you have more spots to drain. I did my first fluid change with just my owners manual because the service manual had not came in yet. I followed up with all the other checks when my service manual came in.
If you can change the oil in your deisel you can do it in your harley. Just follow the manual and take your time.
If you ever met some of these guys in the shop you would feel more confident doing it yourself. Who do you think they have changing the fluids, it is usually the guy making the least amount of money with the least knowledge, not there best mechanic.
If you really dont want to do it yourself find a good Indy shop and you can probally get it done for half that.
Last edited by bberck; Sep 18, 2008 at 02:15 PM.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
My first service was included with the bike with syn3 oil. But if it wasn't I would do it myself and keep a log with receipts. Way too easy to get a SM and DIY. Your parts and Mobil1Vtwin oil and SM will cost you about $130.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 8
From: Ohio
I would order the Big Twin Power Pack from Red Line Oils. It's $80. Buy the Service Manual for your bike at $60. Then you will need a strap wrench for the filter, some rubber o rings for the drain plugs, and a gasket for the derby cover (debatable). You can do it with or without a lift. You can make your own low lift from a 4X8 and plumbers pipe for about $30. The manual walks you through the fluid change and the other procedures, like checking the belt tension, lubing and adjusting the cables, adjusting the clutchpack, checking critical fasteners. You also will have enough crank case oil left over from the Red Line package to do another oil change at 5k.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: CA
SFO bay area, all dealer are around the same price here...
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,234
Likes: 0
From: Southern Indiana
Ok, 1000 miles are up and the first service is scheduled for 26th. Cost for the first service is more than my monthly payment plus insurance combined (i.e insurance for all my toys combined) at $415 min, its NorCal! I know.
Now, synthetic oil and all the parts combined is only $78, every thing else is labor. So, in essence, is it worth paying three hour labor at $114 to say that there is nothing wrong on a brand new bike?
Im not trying to be frugal but Im tired of wrangling the bike on highways, I need to buy much needed windshield ASAP let me know what you guys think. Also, its not like Im saving the $300 but instead I can buy new shiny chrome parts!!!I have severe case of infection called HMS, i.e Harley Modification Syndrome!
Now, synthetic oil and all the parts combined is only $78, every thing else is labor. So, in essence, is it worth paying three hour labor at $114 to say that there is nothing wrong on a brand new bike?
Im not trying to be frugal but Im tired of wrangling the bike on highways, I need to buy much needed windshield ASAP let me know what you guys think. Also, its not like Im saving the $300 but instead I can buy new shiny chrome parts!!!I have severe case of infection called HMS, i.e Harley Modification Syndrome!
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Advanced
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From:
I think you are wise to let them do the first service due to warranty issues. They missed a cut in my tire, loose bolt on bag attachment and didn't use locktite on the passenger seat screw. I think it is a cursory look and a change of fluids. They have you by the nuts due to warranty.