Difference in Service Manuals?
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Road Master
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Difference in Service Manuals?
I need a service manual, and before I drop $$$ for the HD book from dealer, what is difference between those from Clymers, Haynes, and the HD? Does the HD have more info? Is one manual in more layman's terms? This is for an '06 Heritage Standard. I suspect HD will be the only one with up-to-date info, and the off-brands may be for bikes a couple years old. Any help appreciated.
[IMG]local://upfiles/5434/EB5BD69644F44CAD802F1AF7B311BBD5.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/5434/EB5BD69644F44CAD802F1AF7B311BBD5.jpg[/IMG]
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Road Master
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RE: Difference in Service Manuals?
OK, no ideas. I did find this post, just in case there are others with the same quandry:
https://www.hdforums.com/m_151971/tm.htm
https://www.hdforums.com/m_151971/tm.htm
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
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RE: Difference in Service Manuals?
You probably should try to get more than one publishers service manual.
Definately get a factory book first. Usually it takes around a year for the aftermarket company's to publish, at least it is that way with auto manuals.
Be sure and read between the lines of your book, as the how-to-do the fix picture may differ from the wording.
My HD factory service book for Sportster 1970-78 has a pic showing piston/cylinder assembly with connecting rod at fully raised position, while along side the print says to install the cylinder with the crank pin at bottom center??
Go figure!
Happy Trails with your new ride.
Definately get a factory book first. Usually it takes around a year for the aftermarket company's to publish, at least it is that way with auto manuals.
Be sure and read between the lines of your book, as the how-to-do the fix picture may differ from the wording.
My HD factory service book for Sportster 1970-78 has a pic showing piston/cylinder assembly with connecting rod at fully raised position, while along side the print says to install the cylinder with the crank pin at bottom center??
Go figure!
Happy Trails with your new ride.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 445
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From: East Tennessee
RE: Difference in Service Manuals?
In my experience, H-D (for that matter most factory manuals) will be more detailed when it's important to be. What they do best is not skipping steps -- which Haynes and Clymer seem to do at the wrong time. Boy, that'll leave you out there wondering what to do next!
Novice
Joined: Nov 2005
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RE: Difference in Service Manuals?
I run a bike shop and for my money The Factory Manuals are the best BUT they cost a bunch more. Clymer's are good and cover a lot more years in each book that Factory Manuals making them an excellent buy the do-it-yourselfer. On Metric Bikes I often include the price of purchasing a Clymer Manual into the estimate for repair. At around 30 bucks a throw they are a good investment and save a bunch of time. Being as how your bike is so new you might have to run down to HD and grab the factory offering though. Take Care.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2005
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From: Tennessee
RE: Difference in Service Manuals?
I just found a pretty big difference in what my owners manual says and what Haynes says about checking my oil. I bought the Haynes manual for my year model thinking that would be sufficcient. I got to reading some posts the other day about checking your oil on the sidestand and thought I had better check what I'm supposed to be doing. Haynes says to check it on the sidestand and my manual says to check it up right and level. Big differences in what they say. I'm gonna break down and buy the H-D book. Toooo big a risk and investment not to.
Lynn
Lynn
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Road Master
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RE: Difference in Service Manuals?
I popped for the HD manual, had to order it, and it just arrived yesterday. I needed it, but hated to part w/ $$$.
Lynn, my understanding w/ oil level is that HD used to require bike be level for checking, but changed to checking while on "Jiffy" stand since then. A lot easier. Off-brand manuals may not catch up to the latest details as quickly as MoCo book, one more reason to get HD.
I guess I'll have my bedtime reading material now.
Thanks to all for your input!
Lynn, my understanding w/ oil level is that HD used to require bike be level for checking, but changed to checking while on "Jiffy" stand since then. A lot easier. Off-brand manuals may not catch up to the latest details as quickly as MoCo book, one more reason to get HD.
I guess I'll have my bedtime reading material now.
Thanks to all for your input!
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