Maintenance Interval (What goes wrong with Plugs?)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
I do my own oil changes at 3K, but take my bike in to a mechanic at 5k intervals. They change things that I didn't know are bad. Engine mount, rebuild carburetor, breather tubes, etc. I maintain my vehicles properly, and keep them for a long time. I bought my '03 in '11, it had 2k on it. I have 45k on it now. It runs great with a Stage One and SE Cam Chain Tensioner and Oil Pump Upgrade.
I would trust some guys on here to maintain my bike. You should at least go to a mechanic every 20k or your bike will have an early demise, because you are not a good mechanic. A good mechanic is hard to find. It takes experience, constant learning, and effort to become a good mechanic. Mine just retired and now I need to find another one.
I would trust some guys on here to maintain my bike. You should at least go to a mechanic every 20k or your bike will have an early demise, because you are not a good mechanic. A good mechanic is hard to find. It takes experience, constant learning, and effort to become a good mechanic. Mine just retired and now I need to find another one.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,590
Likes: 444
From: Ohio
Your mechanic must have retired early with all that money you have been paying him.........
Oh, nevermind............ you're on a Twinkie!
Oh, nevermind............ you're on a Twinkie!
Last edited by Beemervet; Jul 8, 2018 at 06:07 PM. Reason: revelation
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 271
Likes: 66
From: Canada
I use an independent mechanic for repairs.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
I'm sure many shade tree mechanics are competent. But many aren't. I know I'm not. I'm happy to pay somebody that has been fixing Harley's for 40 years, and is thorough to work on my bike. Unfortunately he is retiring and I need to find a new mechanic.
If you read the threads on here, there are lots of guys who should let a mechanic work on their bike. It's like people who self diagnose their eyes, and come to me, and they have no clue what is really wrong with their eyes. I have been an optometrist for 36 years. Experience matters. I think people that rip on Twinkie owners have issues.
Does my owning a Twin Cam harm you in some way?
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 410
From: Puyallup, WA
Back in the '70's when I was a broke teenager; I eeked out every mile I could get from old parts. Filed spark plug electrode square and gapped them, filed points flat then finished them emory cloth, etc... Today, I check plug gaps every 5K, and toss them at 10K; they're cheap.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 43
From: NJ
B/T
I started in the 60's and was a broke parent in the 70's..lol but those days also had leaded fuel with the heavier deposits. My feeler gauge set had a small file for squaring things up, points to..
Megawatt.
This makes sense to me and outside of a cracked insulator I think it's the only thing that would cause a lack of performance. Other than fouling.
Doug
Back in the '70's when I was a broke teenager
Megawatt.
Electricity likes to jump from sharp corners so old rounded corners on spark plugs don't spark as well as the new sharp edges on new spark plugs.
Iridium plugs are very nice.
Iridium plugs are very nice.
Doug
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 43
From: NJ
QC
[QUOTE]Clean bikes run better! [QUOTE]
Makes them faster too.. Right!
Hey, your avatar is my favorite aircraft, well maybe right after a Spit V, I'd give a lot for an hour in either one.
Doug
[QUOTE]Clean bikes run better! [QUOTE]
Makes them faster too.. Right!
Hey, your avatar is my favorite aircraft, well maybe right after a Spit V, I'd give a lot for an hour in either one.
Doug
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Makes them faster too.. Right!
Hey, your avatar is my favorite aircraft, well maybe right after a Spit V, I'd give a lot for an hour in either one.
Doug
Hey, your avatar is my favorite aircraft, well maybe right after a Spit V, I'd give a lot for an hour in either one.
Doug
Last edited by grbrown; Jul 9, 2018 at 03:36 AM. Reason: Revised link