I just had the 1000mile service done at the dealer. I figured I'd let them do the 1000 mile just to be sure there were no issues. I did the same thing on my Sportster, and then did all the other services myself.

I OK'd the synthetic oil "upgrade". Since I got it back, there's a starting problem-either it doesn't "catch" right away and I have to quit pushing on the starter then re-push and it starts right up, or it almost sounds like it is locking up, then grabs and starts. Seems worse after it's been sitting for an hour or so.

Before the change, I had no problems. The receipt says 5 qts of Syn3. Can it be used in the crankcase, primary, and transmission? Or should they have used formula + in the primary and trans? Anything else they could have done to upset the starting this way?

Damn! This is why I always do the services myself

 

Syn 3 can be used everywhere. I do my own wrenching as well. didn't like the way my 1K was done.

 

The clutch also seems a little "notchy". the service writer said they lube the cables at the 1 K. I thought the new cables were teflon coated and you weren't 'sposed to lube them? Least that was the case with the Sporty.

 

I think the Harley syn3 is crap myself. Bike sounded like hell when I got it back. I changed the oil in all three holes shortly thereafter.

Check you oil level, 'cause there have been several folks note that the dealer had overfilled their bikes.

 

+1 CHECK YOU OIL LEVEL MINE HAD 8oz MORE I'LL BE DOING ME 5K FOR SURE,IF YOU DON'T A MANUEL GOT ONE

 

After I took it back, the assistant service manager had the tech go back thru the bike, re-torquing the starter bolts, removing the extra oil, adjusting the clutch cable, etc. I told him it was not the clutch cable, but felt like the clutch was dragging. Of course he assured me the problem was rectified.

Put about 250 miles on it Fri/Sat and the starting issue was getting worse, the "notchy"(racheting) clutch pull was worsening, a severe vibration was developing at 2100-2200 rpm's, and there was a noise that went away when you pulled the clutch.

Duh! NOW they admitted there's a problem. They think the bearing on the mainshaft may be failing. Hmmm. Wonder if that extra syn3 in the oil tank was supposed to go in the primary?

I would have like to open the primary to see if any oil was in there, but I wanted to get it in before they closed. But I'm SURE they will tell me the truth! Yeah. Right!

Wish there was an inspection cover, like on the Sporty, so you could check the level without opening the derby cover.

 

I don't mean to hijack your thread, but I have a question on the same topic. I'm at the point of the 1000-mile service myself. I actually work across the street from the Arlen Ness dealership and they quoted the HD 1k service at nearly the same price as the local HD guys. They said they could use Revtech Synthetic instead of the HD fluids.

What do you all think of letting Arlen Ness do the 1k service on my RKC?

Thanks for any feedback.

 

Go for it. I had my 1k and 5k services done at a local indie shop and was very pleased. Both times I dropped the bike off in the evening and had her back by noon the next day. The local dealer quoted me almost 140 bux more than the indie for each service and told me I would have to drop the bike off and they would call when it was done. A friend of mine took his sporty to that dealer and had no ride for almost two weeks! IMO the indie shops are generally more friendly, do better quality work, and will treat you with more respect than the dealers. I think you'll like the RevTech btw, I've got that in my crank and primary, and Bel Ray in the trans with no complaints.

 

BTW, something the dealer won't tell you is if you don't beat on her too hard, you can hold off on the 1k service and just get the 5k done a little early. On my 05 the two are basically the same service and that's what I did.

 

The indies around here are only $30 less than the dealer and with the VIP points I get =15%, it makes sense to let the dealer do it-assuming they do it right, of course.

I've honestly never had any issues with my dealer before, and I'm gonna give them the benefit of the doubt, to a point.

By using the VIP points to build $, I was able to get the parts manual for nothing, the heavy breather for $129, the SE muffs for $60 off, etc. Not to mention they gave me all but $100 back on the extended warranty on my sporty, so I'm not out of pocket at all for anything.

Since the indies are nearly as expensive as the dealer, and since I know I can trust me, I'm gonna continue to do my own servicing, but will probably change to amsoil at the 5K