First service
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 735
Likes: 23
From: New Brunswick, Canada
If you don't ever go back to the dealer,I would at least do the first service with them,that's where their suppossed to go over the entire bike checking nuts and bolts etc.I changed to synthetic when I did my first service.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
I heard some bad stories about their dealer doing some terrible job done. But I had my first service on my dealer. All I can say is I have a peace of mind not worrying about the warranty or whatever ordeal's facing me if I didn't make it through them. Luckily, my dealer did a good job on the first service.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 212
If you keep receipts and can actually do everything on the 1k checklist, there is no reason you can't do it on your own or at an independent.
When I do a 1k for a customer, the three major things I check are oil, spokes (if equipped) and fasteners (along with the other required checks/services).
With the oil, change it (synthetic is best, but not required at all), and check to see how the metal has worn. You can tell by how the oil/drain plug looks and smells.
Checking fasteners is important because they do loosen over time (consequence of design). The first 1k is where they are likely to loose the most preload and need to be tightened.
Last, spokes need to be properly torqued. If you don't, they will get loose and ruin the hub/wheel or possibly throw you down. One loose spoke can quickly start a chain reaction to 10-12 loose spokes. A spoke torque wrench is a must for anyone working on wire wheels regularly.
When I do a 1k for a customer, the three major things I check are oil, spokes (if equipped) and fasteners (along with the other required checks/services).
With the oil, change it (synthetic is best, but not required at all), and check to see how the metal has worn. You can tell by how the oil/drain plug looks and smells.
Checking fasteners is important because they do loosen over time (consequence of design). The first 1k is where they are likely to loose the most preload and need to be tightened.
Last, spokes need to be properly torqued. If you don't, they will get loose and ruin the hub/wheel or possibly throw you down. One loose spoke can quickly start a chain reaction to 10-12 loose spokes. A spoke torque wrench is a must for anyone working on wire wheels regularly.
Last edited by Scuba10jdl; Feb 2, 2012 at 10:42 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 640
Likes: 1
From: southern cali
My 1k service will be this weekend. I agree with those who advocate going to the dealer for the first serve. They are the ones who assembled the bike, got it ready, test rode it, etc. I want to talk to them about their product and get my questions answered by someone representing HD and the dealership. I have confidence in the service dept at my dealer, they've got an excellent rep.
Banned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 12,594
Likes: 9
From: Bama
Do it yourself, use synthetic and use all of the money that you save on a manual and tools. Your first service is basically a 150-300$ oil change and fastener check.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,513
Likes: 116
From: OKC
I have not been able to have a dealer define "critical fasteners" I and others can make assumptions regarding those, but does anyone have a definative list?
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 659
Likes: 4
From: Rolla, MO.
I second that. Your going to need the manual at sometime while you own her. Get one and do it yourself. It will not void your warrenty.