my FXDC goes to the Dealer tomorrow for its first service. From those who've been there, done that, and got the T-shirt, Is there anything specific I should be asking them to check on that perhaps wouldnt normally be part of a first service, but experience demands it should be??

Appreciate the feedback!

 

I been there, done that on the 1k and 5k service and didn't get a t-shirt but should have gotten a wardrobe for what I paid and got in return. I hope your first service was included in your purchase. Otherwise, you'd be better off investing the money in a service manual and do it yourself. Don't let them try to tell you it will void your warranty, that's not true at all, just save your receipts. I paid around $200 +/- for each of those services and truly don't believe I got anything more each time than an expensive oil change. If I had it to do over again, I'd have never taken my bike to a dealer for service. At most, I'd find an indy to do it cheaper and probably better.

There is a list of things to go over and make sure they are adjusted properly and tightened properly, etc. and they will probably do that. But even those are things you can do yourself and should probably be doing yourself more often than just at service time.

You might want to consider changing to synthetic fluids. I did it at 10k and wish I had done it sooner. I'm running AMSOIL in every hole and the bike runs and shifts noticeably better and quieter, especially the shifting. No more clunks at all except maybe when it's cold and shifting from N to first for the first time.

As far as advice - if you are going to take it to the dealer, try to keep an eye and make sure they are actually performing the entire service and not just draining and filling the fluids and charging out the wazoo for it. Some people require others to earn their trust, I tend to be the opposite. But my dealer service dept. found a way to earn my distrust early on. I hate to stereotype but I've heard many other people with similar experiences.

 

I agree the biggest thing is if they do everything they are suppose to do. If they do then that should cover everything.

Personally i do it myself so I know it got done.

 

I bought a couple torque wrenchs from Harbor Freight. $19.95 each. One inch pound, one foot pound. For the weaker ft-lb settings, like say 10 to 18 ft-lbs, I convert it to inch-pounds and use my inch pound wrench. One ft-lb = twelve inch pounds. Pretty simple. Yeah, I know the Harbour Freight wrenchs are 'cheaper-than-dirt' and worth little more. But they'll get you close enough, IMHO. It's not like you're doing Head Work or anything. Even then, half the Snap On wrenchs out there haven't been 'tuned' in twenty years.

The other thing is the spoke torque/tightening. I haven't seen anybody using the inch pound torque wrench on spokes yet (it's a special tool) so I'm just using a 6mm ignition wrench and tightening them down. Not 'cranking them down' just tightening them a little at a time. "How" you go about is open to argument. I do one side at a time - Inside then outside. Don't 'crank' on a spoke too much. Go all the way around and tighten each spoke a little at a time as you go. IF they need it. Don't get carried away. 55 inch pounds (app 5 ft lbs) isn't that much. I might spring for the Harley spoke wrench one of these days. The 6mm wrench seems a little loose to me. Oh well.

If the Dealer does that (at all) I'd be pleasantly surprised.

In your Service Manual (don't leave home without one) it specifies what your 'Critical Fasteners' are. Figuring them out can be kinda fun. If you're a masochist.

But for $350 for a synthetic service? When I can do it myself for around $50...? And I know that certain things have actually been done that I'm not convinced the average Dealer bothers with?

Hell, I even checked an Independent and he was almost $300 for the service including synthetic fluids. No way. I got Mobil 1, 20W-50 V-Twin, on sale at Advance Auto parts for $7.99 a quart. 5 X 8 = $40 + gaskets & tax. Fitty bucks.

Now that you're committed to the Dealer Service, that's fine. Just keep your eyes open for the next sale on the CORRECT fluids and buy them and store them until you need them next time. Buy the wrenches necessary, and you're still saving a couple hundred bucks.

That's enough to get me and 2007fxdc drunk next time we see you.

 

Thanks for the heads up peoples. Fortunately the 1st service was included in my purchase price (even fluids!). My dealer is very cool and actually behaves like a dealer instead of a stealer. Wouldn't go as far to say that I trust them implicitly, not yet, but I have been very well looked after from the first test ride and they've given me no reason to distrust them at this point.
Just wanted to know if there was anything outside the normal service regime that might warrant attention based on experience. I guess the quality of service will be reflected in any noticeable differences in how the bike runs when i collect it this afternoon.

 

For what it's worth, I just had my 1K service done at a local "indy" shop...186 bucks out the door. Half the "estimated" price from the dealer I bought it from. All documented and certified through "The Motor Company".