Hey all-
Gonna take my first long trip on my new-ish to me 1977 FXE. I honestly haven't done much to it since i got it a year and half ago, changed fluids, changed tires, new brake pads. It runs good, but I was wondering if I should do a more thorough mechanical check before I leave, such as remove and check/clean hydraulic lifters, check clutch plates, etc. In the past Ive just winged it, but I love this bike and want to minimize breakdowns. Any suggestions and or checklists some of you use with these old shovels?

 

..."changed fluids..." Did that include brake fluid and fork oil? If your pushrod tubes aren't leaking I would leave them alone. Did you clean the tappet screen when you changed motor oil?

Best way to minimize breakdown on the road is to inspect all your fasteners before you leave on your trip. Get out your wrenches and screwdrivers and check each one you can get at. On the road I start each mornig with some coffee and a walk around my bike looking for anything obvious. At the turn around point I will spend a couple of hours going around the bike and again check my fasteners. I never leave on a trip w/o my toolbag and some oil.

 

If it has the original dry clutch you will want to service it. Clean the air filter, replace plugs, grease all zerk fittings at rear brake, swingarm, and shifter, check primary and secondary chain tension, clean and grease secondary chain (if you don't run the oiler), clean and grease brake pins, plus what's already been said above.

You really really really really want to take a look at what's in that tappet screen too. Those old timey oil filters that were in the oil tank were made of cotton or something and that tappet screen is likely full of cotton if the previous owner didn't know to check it.

carl

 

Cleaning the bike is a good way to "touch" everything and help you find loose stuff. Just found a loose floor board bolt on my FLH last weekend giving her a bath. Rode to Sturgis last year, found two broken spokes on the rear wheel giving the Roadie a bath. Not rocket science but I seem to find stuff when cleaning a bike. Good luck.

 

Here's the TCLOCK checklist that gets passed around a lot:


http://frederickhog.org/tips/tclock.htm

 

TLC and a lot of "hands on" will keep you apprised of the current condition of your scooter, and as "Architect" said, keeping it clean keeps you in the know.