So ive had some kind of motorcycle my whole life since i could drive, and ive also been brokeass my whole life. So maintenance to me, was changing the oil....spark plugs...cleaning and lubing the chain and fixing things as they broke down. i have never taken a bike in to be "tuned" or done any other kind of maintenance myself unless it was necessary. If it wasnt broke, i didnt fix it. The bikes i had were usually old POS. This is the first bike ive ever had that ive got a current loan on (its a 2007, but to me thats a new bike) and its in good condition and i would like to keep it that way. I still change my own oil on it, and do brake pads...tranny fluid change ect. I guess what im asking is....this bike is 10 years old and i have no idea what the history is on it when i bought it. I do have enough $$ to take it into my local indy shop for maintenance if something should be done at this stage of its life i just dont know what that is. Do you guys do the same, or is there like belt adjustments....things that need to be done that i dont know about. Its a 2007 FXSTC with about 9K miles on it. Thank you for replies.

 

Get yourself a Harley Service Manual for your bike. Aside from telling you how to completely disassemble the bike there is a service chart in it detailing everything that should be done at every 5K mile interval.

I would also highly recommend getting the parts manual and electrical diagnostic manual.

 

Good on you for deciding to take pride in your equipment.

Yes, factory service manual. Study the maintenance intervals. Start with safety stuff first. Don't try to do it all at once. Safety - then operational - then mods. If you put too much stuff in on a weekend you'll get burned out. Take one maintenance item a day, a week, whatever, and do that one thing right.

Sano is the word. Do everything clean and sanitary. Take your time. Don't be one of these clowns with all thumbs.

You may be tempted to go buy every tool in the history of mankind. No need. Instead - consider buying only the tools you need and slowly accumulate your collection.

Belt adjustment is way too complicated in the service manual. The 45 degree method is far superior and way more satisfactory. You can find that with a simple search.

 

The 2 replies above pretty well sum it up.
The only other thing I would add is if you don't depend on it as your daily mode of transport it's probably best waiting until the winter months to carry out the servicing. There's no pressure if something extra needs doing or if something goes wrong you can tackle it in your own time and then it doesn't become a chore.
Oh and enjoy riding the bike - good choice too!

 

thanks for your replies guys, and its a good suggestion to wait until winter time to do maintenance.

 

With practice, I find I can do an entire 5,000 mile service including all fluids changed (including fork oil), lubing and adjusting everything, in about 8 hours.

As I ride more than 5000 miles/year I can't wait until winter to do it.

I find I will wear out a tire before I need to adjust the belt. If the belt is too loose it will squeal or chirp on deceleration.

 

with 9k mi on the OD, there's not much in terms of mechanical service items to worry about.
But rubber does dry out. And break fluid does absorb moiture. Fork fluid's probably ok
Lube cables.

 

Most anything can be done it your garage with the proper tools and the manual. You seem old enough and wise enough to know your limitations.