Hey guys,

I'm at my 1000 mile service point. Searched the forum and did not find a good thread on what needs to be done. Saw a bunch of post saying pick up a service manual, wondering what is best. I have been looking but can't find any thing besides the Harley one. Anyone want to give me a little direction on what needs to be done and what a good service manual is?

 

If you look in you owners manual, there is a schedule that shows you what has to be done at the mile intervals.

 

The harley manual is the best one, best investment I've made for the bike.

Just get one.

 

+1 on your owners manual, in my 2009 manual, the table starts on page 159. The 1000 mile is a critical inspection, just about everything needs to be gone over with a fine tooth comb. As for a service manual, the O-fficial HD is the best, IMHO, although some buy others to supliment the HD manual, I've never found it to be necessary.
A cool thing that my local dealer does is they hold a class the first Saturday of every month and teach you maintenance and how to do-it-yourself upgrades. You might want to check with your locals to see if they do the same thing for future maintnance on your ride.

 

Buy the Harley manual. The others leave out some details. Many folks on here also recommend getting the parts manual. If you are not doing any heavy mods you probably don't need it.

I did my 1000 mile myself. There are some threads on here that say what needs to be done. You change the engine oil, filter, transmission oil, and primary chaincase oil. There is a kit from the dealer that has the derby cover seal and the o-rings for the drain plugs. You will probably find a little metal fuzz on the chaincase and transmission oil plugs. Clean it off. You are also supposed to adjust the clutch. Fine was fine so I did not. Also the tension on the drive belt, again mine was fine and you need a $20 gauge from the dealer to check it. Lastly the steering head bearings. Again mine were fine so left them alone. I used all synethic fluids, 20/50W in the engine 75/90 gear oil in primary chaincase and trans. I don't personally believe in putting the same oil in all three holes but some folks do. I would not put gear oil in the engine, so why would I put engine oil in the chaincase?? Of course give the whole bike a good once over checking for loose bolts. Check your battery cables, they do come loose and could leave you stranded. Check your tire pressures, I do it whenver I refuel. Be careful taking the derby cover off. Tap all the fasteners in the middle on the derby cover with a punch to loosen them up. More than one person has stripped one of them. Don't forget to put the fluid in the primary chaincase before your put the derby cover back on. (don't laugh I almost did it). The bike needs to be standing straight up when you do that or some of it will leak out. I used a cut off one quart plastic bottle to make a sleeve to take the oil filter off without dripping the oil on the bike. Hand tighten the oil filter back on (wipe a little oil on the gasket first) and then tighen it 3/4 turn with your hands after it is flush. Don't use the wrench to put it back on with. You will make it leak. I bought the lubit kit from Harley to lube my cables with. Did not do it yet but will before I ride this spring.

Lastly, if you don't know what your are doing don't do it. Better to sound stupid and ask for help than to damage something. Ask around maybe you can find an experienced person to help you out the first time. Keep your receipts, I made a little folder and logbook to document my work.

 

Here ya go guys

 

I was just on here looking for some info on this same topic. I have always serviced my bikes but the HD dealer says they have to do the first service or I will void my warrenty. I cant affored $350. for a oil chang service . I under stand there is more to it then that but you get the pic . I took my Vrod to them as well but after talking to the service manager and telling him that you dont have all the same fluids to change on it as do the standerd hd so I shouldnt pay the same price . He lowerd it to $175 for the vrod. still high put not like the $350 it would have been. We even got into the ,You must use HD oil or else match . But I never fell for that load of crap . So as long as I keep my receipts can I do my first service my self ?

 

I'm doing my own first service, my local hd store said "about $500for first service", crooks!

 

My dealer did mine for free and included syn3 oil.

You can do yours yourself if you follow the manual and keep a log (date/mileage/work done/what parts used) and receipts for the parts. I do recommend you use a HD oil filter and a quality motorcycle rated oil. But they cannot void your warranty unless you fail to do the service.

 

Definitely!