Done Right - Do It Yourself
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 115
Likes: 10
From: Richmond Virginia
Done Right - Do It Yourself
Every time I pay someone for any kind of service I Regret it. Most of the time I have to re-do it myself or finish it correctly.
Which Service Manual do you Guys recommend for my 97 Ultra Classic?
Which Service Manual do you Guys recommend for my 97 Ultra Classic?
Always start with the FSM.
Augment that by finding YouTube videos of what you are trying to do.
Augment that by asking here.
Put those three together, and there's literally nothing you can't do on these bikes. Just about the only thing that gets out of DIY/garage work is if you are doing serious internal engine work that demands machine tools that really only make sense to buy if you are in the business.
Augment that by finding YouTube videos of what you are trying to do.
Augment that by asking here.
Put those three together, and there's literally nothing you can't do on these bikes. Just about the only thing that gets out of DIY/garage work is if you are doing serious internal engine work that demands machine tools that really only make sense to buy if you are in the business.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
FSM every time. I've rarely had problems getting stuff done over the last 40 years or so. I suspect each of us has a threshold beyond which we prefer an 'expert' to do the work for us, which is likely to be different for each of us.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
I would also suggest getting the Factory Parts Manual in addition to the Factory Service Manual. Great asset when it comes to searching for parts on the internet or at a dealership.
And yeah... It's tough finding someone that will put the care into or do the work on your bike the way you'd do it (I have a number or horror stories). If you can do it yourself, do it yourself.
And yeah... It's tough finding someone that will put the care into or do the work on your bike the way you'd do it (I have a number or horror stories). If you can do it yourself, do it yourself.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,092
Likes: 7,614
From: Poolville
There's only one...... HD FSM.... And yeah get a Parts manuals well.... Worth it's weight in goal.....
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,326
Likes: 3,614
From: Picayune, Ms.
OT: HD service manual and HD parts manual. There is a book "101 Harley-Davidson Performance Projects for Evolution Big Twin and Sportsters" by Kip Woodring and Kenna Love that is helpful and has a lot of useful tips of interest in it.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 572
Likes: 110
From: under the bridge on the sunrise side
I just went thru this with my new to me Electra Glide. FSM p/n starts with 99483- insert your year. They are still available from HD, I found mine for half price on the Flea bay. Mike
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 10,284
Likes: 7,766
From: West Central FL
I used to do almost everything myself but not so much anymore. Getting too old for the up and down on the floor chasing tools and bits and pieces rolling around. Heck, I'm even in the process of trying to sell one of my lifts. Besides, I've got a shop that I can count on to do things right and at a fair prices and my dream has finally come true. A motorcycle mechanic just moved in across the street!!! It's a wonderful life, ain't it?