DIY Maintenance
DIY Maintenance
Coming up on my 5k maintenance for my FatBob, and considering doing it myself.
New to bikes & I don't have a service manual so I'm apprehensive to dive in on this. I'm mechanically inclined, so getting dirty isn't an issue for me. Last thing I want to do is void my warranty. Had my 1k done by the dealer. Just don't wanna dole out another $300+ if I can help it. Suggestions?
New to bikes & I don't have a service manual so I'm apprehensive to dive in on this. I'm mechanically inclined, so getting dirty isn't an issue for me. Last thing I want to do is void my warranty. Had my 1k done by the dealer. Just don't wanna dole out another $300+ if I can help it. Suggestions?
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 213
Likes: 8
From: Tempe, AZ
I would highly recommend you service yourself. First, get yourself a manual ($60 at dealership). Even seasoned wrenches need to reference once in a while. I dont believe any specialty tools are required. As long as you have a basic mechanics set and a torque wrench, you should be good.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Only service really required at 5K is oil and filter change. The rest is just just "inspect for wear" or "adjust as necessary" type stuff. If you have reason to believe there may be an issue with one or more of the sytems on your bike you may want to take it to a professional, otherwise you you can probably handle it yourself.
Keep receipts for the oil and filter purchase and note in your owners manual the date you performed the service and you won't have to worry about voiding your warranty.
Keep receipts for the oil and filter purchase and note in your owners manual the date you performed the service and you won't have to worry about voiding your warranty.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 7
From: Southwest Florida
If you have high quality Torque Wrenches, good for you. If you're like me and use them once in a while only.....??
I bought a 3/8" drive Torque Wrench at cheaper-than-dirt Harbor Freight and 1/4" drive TW for $19.95 apiece.
Yeah, they ain't Snap On, but most of Harley's torque specs read, "Tighten to 12 - 16 foot lbs" or, "tighten to 80 -100 inch lbs."
So it ain't like you're working on a five million dollar F1 racer. I set it somewhere in between the torque specs and go for it.
But you gotta have 'em. They're not really an option.
Not only do you save a lot of money doing it yourself, the sad truth is -- You actually know it's been done.
Good luck.
I bought a 3/8" drive Torque Wrench at cheaper-than-dirt Harbor Freight and 1/4" drive TW for $19.95 apiece.
Yeah, they ain't Snap On, but most of Harley's torque specs read, "Tighten to 12 - 16 foot lbs" or, "tighten to 80 -100 inch lbs."
So it ain't like you're working on a five million dollar F1 racer. I set it somewhere in between the torque specs and go for it.
But you gotta have 'em. They're not really an option.
Not only do you save a lot of money doing it yourself, the sad truth is -- You actually know it's been done.
Good luck.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 244
Likes: 1
From: Republic of Texas
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Banned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 7
From: Southwest Florida
When I drained my fluids, I did stand the bike straight up to make sure everything drained into the oil drain pan after most of it was out. Takes a few seconds.
Careful with amounts of oil/fluid you add. The Service Manual sez 3 qts in the crankcase? Not. In mine, it was about 2-1/2. They vary. In the tranny and primary? About 30 ozs. Maybe a little less.
Fluids? Easy as pie to add, a PITD to remove if you overfill.
BUY and USE the new gaskets and O-Rings. Even though the O-Rings may look fine, they'll swell up and not re-seat real good. I didn't use the new O-Rings and they ain't leaking yet, but I'm keeping an eye on them. They probably will at some point. Maybe. But, WTF? $.99 each? Buy 'em, use 'em.
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 728
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
If you're short on cash, you can get digital versions of the service manual on ebay for cheap. It's handy to have the hard copy to take out to the garage, but you can print from the files. Also, you get the parts manual and electrical manual included - very handy in digital form.