How often do you service these items ?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,863
Likes: 55
From: Sedalia,Missouri
How often do you service these items ?
First of all I do have a service manual but I'm curious how often some of you adjust your belt and clutch? I know what the book says but some times I think the book is overkill. I had both of those items adjusted about 8500 miles ago. My clutch feels fine so I'm thinking I'll leave it alone but I'll probably have the belt checked before my roadtrip in June. I have about 26,000 miles and I see where the book says I should have changed my plugs and fuel filter at 25,000 miles. I haven't touched either of these last two items. Thanks for your comments.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 410
Likes: 2
From: New Orleans, LA
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
Only touch the clutch when something changes, belt tension is checked often the tension gauge makes easy work of that. Actually do it often enough you will learn how to check tension simply by twisting belt by hand. Belt alignment is also checked often.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 322,622
Likes: 3,077
From: .....
As long as my bikes under warranty, I'll let the shop do my maintenance. If I had to do it myself, other than oil changes, I'd be lost. Bikes have gotten so complicate since I had my last one in '75, I wouldn't know where to start doing some things.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 94
From: Massachusetts
I would have the belt checked before your long trip if you have 26k miles.
I adjust my clutch as necessary, change my plugs every spring (I know it's overkill, but it tales 10 mins. and costs $7) and usually change the fuel filter every 3 years. All simple stuff that doesn't cost much or take much time to do.
I adjust my clutch as necessary, change my plugs every spring (I know it's overkill, but it tales 10 mins. and costs $7) and usually change the fuel filter every 3 years. All simple stuff that doesn't cost much or take much time to do.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 709
From: San Diego
The new bikes really aren't that much more complicated. More wires, and sensors, but aside from that, all the working parts are the same. You still drain the same oil out of the same places. You still adjust the same parts for the belt adjustment. The clutch is still in the same place. ****, my wife does all of her own service on her Sportster, and she doesn't work on anything else.
You can do it Chickin!
To the OP, I follow the service manual as far as maintenance intervals. I figure it can't hurt. Slacking off and skipping a step here or there only saves a few minutes at best, but it could be a major inconvenience on a road trip.
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 12
From: Haymarket, VA
If it were me I would change the plugs, cheap & easy to do. Would not worry about the filter for another 15 grand or so. I have 35K on my Deuce, just got a new rear tire installed, belt was in fine shape. Clutch should be fine as long as it still feels "right".
Last edited by streeteagle; Mar 23, 2014 at 08:41 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
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From: Southern Oregon
The roads I do most of my riding have lots of twisties very little traffic so I run at a pretty good clip.
Ive never had a rear tire last over 8,000 miles, I haven't needed to readjust it between changes
Ive never had a rear tire last over 8,000 miles, I haven't needed to readjust it between changes