After looking at the 5000 mile service checklist there is no way I'm shelling out $360.00 for this. I'm glad they forced my hand because now I'm excited to learn all I can about it. I have a few questions though:

• It doesn't call for the primary and transmission fluid changes. Since it doesn't look too difficult is there a great benefit to changing anyway, or is it overkill.
• All the spokes feel tight, how crucial is it to check them with a torque wrench at this stage? The wrenches seem to run around $100.00. I might put this purchase off for awhile.
• Has anyone used this oil filter funnel and does it work well. http://www.ebay.com/itm/141115740788...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
• With the ABS module in the way it would be difficult to drive a screw driver through the oil filter if I have trouble getting it off. I read somewhere on this board that it is easier to loosen it cold, then warm the bike up. Is this true?
• And yes, I did order a service manual.

Thanks for any responses.

 

The funnels work ok. Still be ready with rags, you are going to spill oil.


I change all 3 of my fluids every 5k miles. It probably is overkill, but it's not that expensive and it makes me feel better.


Get the proper HD oil filter socket. It's cheap will save you some headaches. Do not install the new filter too tightly. It will just make it leak and harder to remove the next time.


Spokes...you should check them for safety's sake. Having said that, I'm at 25k miles and still do not own a spoke wrench.

 

I put a lot of miles on spoked wheels. Never got the torque wrench for them. What I did was take a screwdriver and and tap each spoke and listen to the sound it makes, nice ting and I figured it was still good...if you get a dull sound you might want to do something about it.

I never had any get loose but I have heard of other people having them come loose.

 

I would check the tire psi and look for any bad cuts in the tires.
Just change the motor oil
Oil the cables
Check the level of the tran oil
Check cables to battery
Wash the bike
Take the money you saved and pay for that service manual .

 

In my opinion, its overkill on the trans/primary. I don't do them at the 5K marks. People do, and there certainly isn't hurting anything, can't hurt, doesn't really help. Take your pick.

also depending on your area, check/clean A/filter. Some get dirtier than others.

 

As far as the funnel goes, I've never used one. I gutted a 1 litre soda bottle years ago and once I loosen the filter a bit, I put the gutted soda bottle up under the filter hugging the housing port and finish loosening the filter, draining the oil as it flows out of the plastic bottle into a catch pan.

If you are even half handy with a wrench and don't mind investing in the occasional tool that you may not have and you have a manual and you have access to the internet, there is really very little you need to pay a mechanic for. I enjoy adding tools to my collection and my rationale for a new tool is, it was still much cheaper than what I would have paid somebody else to do it.

Plus you get the satisfaction of knowing it was done right!

 

I change transmission and primary oil every 5000 miles. My clutch and primary have both been over 200,000 miles. Any relation? Who knows?

Ditto on the spokes. I tap each spoke with the spoke wrench at the 5000 mile service. They should all ring at about the same pitch. It's not unusual for me to have one or two spokes that need tightening. Then again, the roads here are in terrible shape.

 

I've been using these filters (K&N). Never a problem getting them off. And I use that funnel. The best I can say is that it works OK.

 

This should help, will be doing my own 5k service
soon
https://youtu.be/8pLiqJXvalw

 

HF torque wrenches are $12.95. I got a set of 1/2", 3/8" and 1/4" back in the day when they were $9.95 each. Test them regularly and they have held their specs for 20 years now.

Just follow the owner's manual requirements on the periodic service intervals. No need to do more. Document your results.

I have done all my services on 30 H-D's over many years. Very easy and a great money saver since I average about 7 services per year. I have had the dealer do the ABS fluid changes.