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First time Harley owner

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Old Oct 25, 2023 | 07:08 AM
  #1  
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Default First time Harley owner

I just bought a 2008 FLHTCU with 80,000 miles for $4k. Seems to run great and I got it for an awesome price. Last weekend I went to the PUMPKIN & PAINT @ the Garland HD dealer. Where I talked to the service desk super nice man.
Suggested I get the 20k service with cam guide inspection for $1,300. Where he told me I can't flush my brakes with out the PC due to ABS, and the cam guides wear out at 40k. The service intervals states nothing about cam guides.

It this worth the money or is he just trying to up sell me. Looks like I just need one gasket and to remove a half dozen bolts or so from looking at the service manual.







 
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Old Oct 25, 2023 | 07:19 AM
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Information Technology Mercenaries (ITM) sells a kit to bleed ABS brakes. for a 2008 you'd need their HD1 ABS Flush Utility.

It'd pay for itself after the first couple of flushes.

Link to the ITM utility: ITM HD1 ABS Flush Utility (J1850 equipped/4 pin bikes) – Information Technology Mercenaries LLC (infotechmercenary.com)
 
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Old Oct 25, 2023 | 08:09 AM
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Originally Posted by na8tan
I Looks like I just need one gasket and to remove a half dozen bolts or so from looking at the service manual.
Inspecting shoes at 80K is a good idea if you have no service history
It is difficult to see the inboard shoe

As for 6 bolts and a gasket
Thats after you remove floorboard and exhaust
 
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Old Oct 25, 2023 | 08:14 AM
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Can't help the OP with the ABS brakes but I think the HD tech is referring to the cam chain tensioners as the "cam guides". The OP has the service manual and can open up the cam chest, take a look at the tensioners and decide if they should be replaced and whether he wants to replace for less than $100 or pay the $1300 for an inspection. These techs must think we are all stupid.
@na8tan If you have basic mechanical skills, tools and the service manual, replacing the OEM cam chain tensioners is a DIY project and there is plenty of help on this forum and several good YouTube videos if you decide to tackle the project. Save that $1300 and do the service and tensioners yourself. At 80K miles, I would be replacing the tensioners regardless of how they look.

BTW, congrats on the purchase.
 

Last edited by djl; Oct 25, 2023 at 09:58 PM.
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Old Oct 25, 2023 | 08:18 PM
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You're 08 has the upgraded hydraulic tensioners in it. The earlier spring loaded tensioners should be inspected regularly.
Having the brake fluid changed is probably a good idea.
 
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Old Oct 26, 2023 | 03:23 PM
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If the OP feels confident performing the chain tensioner inspection by all means have at it. The $1300 also included fluid changes and other inspections. It may be worth while playing for the 20 K service to have a pair of eyes inspect the used 80k bike.
 
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Old Oct 26, 2023 | 08:25 PM
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I'm calling Bullsh*t on the service desk super nice man. 08's have the upgraded can chain tensioners, the same ones on my 07 Dyna. Gave it a 105" top end as a reward for 100,000 miles trouble free riding. Pulled the nose cone off and checked the tensioner shoes. MINIMAL WEAR.
 
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Old Oct 26, 2023 | 10:20 PM
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Cool Scare tactics ...

[ I just bought a 2008 FLHTCU with 80,000 miles for $4k. Seems to run great and I got it for an awesome price. Last weekend I went to the PUMPKIN & PAINT @ the Garland HD dealer. Where I talked to the service desk super nice man.]

As TST stated above ... any and all the "service" guys will ALWAYS try to separate you from your $$$...
If you think and feel its running good ...no funny noises ...spend the money on changing all the fluids and enjoy it !!! check brake pads , etc...then RIDE IT ,
if it ain't broke ..don't fix it .



 

Last edited by springers4ever; Oct 26, 2023 at 10:21 PM.
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Old Oct 27, 2023 | 05:52 AM
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Originally Posted by springers4ever
If you think and feel its running good ...no funny noises ...spend the money on changing all the fluids and enjoy it !!! check brake pads , etc...then RIDE IT ,
if it ain't broke ..don't fix it . [/color]

This ^^^^. I'm always amazed by the amount of people who buy bore scopes or do leak down tests, just because, then ask is this ok? Do they do this with their lawnmowers?

I guess I should have posted this in the "Rant" section. lol

Oh yeah, get off my lawn!
 
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