I haven't done any mechanical work since the late 70s. I used to do a lot of stuff on my 67 Chevelle. I quit working on my stuff when it got to the point that I couldn't tell what I was looking at under the hood. Last time I rode my bike it quit at a stoplight, gas was pouring out of the air cleaner, it was pretty bad. Bought the 03 Softail manual and went through the trouble shooting stuff, sounded like the problem was a stuck float. Took the bike off the carb this morning, took the float body off. It was full of rust colored grit. Washed it all out with WD-40, cleaned up the vent hoses and breather bolts, put it all back together. When I was putting the choke cable back on I busted the plastic thing off. Had to go get a new one and take it all back apart again, install the new choke cable and put it back together for the second time. Got it all back together and everything works really well. I was very happy to have fixed it myself, not just because I didn't have to pay somebody, I just like learning how to do my own stuff.
The weather is supposed to be nice tomorrow, hopefully we can get some road time in.

 

Congrats, glad it worked out for ya. I'm getting ready to do some work to my scooter. Not because I want to, but because the stealer wanted over $1600 to do what I will do for $430.

 

Man, that is a nice looking bike. Lots of satisfaction in taking care of these problems with motorcycles. Gets you closer to the machine, and understanding what goes on, and how to take care of it. I think we are loosing a lot of our ability when cars and bikes get so complicated they need to go to a "technician" for a fix. In a generation or two, I wonder how many folks will be wrenching their bikes.

 

DIY is the way to go. One thing for sure is that if I mess something up once and have to go back and fix it I will never make that mistake again. It's also nice to save some dough. I have done all the work on all of my bikes always. It's a lot simpler than working on cars nowadays..

 

Right on!! [sm=smiley20.gif]It'sa good feeling knowingyou can wrench on your own bike...successfully They're fairly simple machines...good maintanance, a service manual and a littlemechanical ability is all you need to keepyour bikeon the road and out of the dealership service bay...and keeping the labor $$$ in your wallet is a +!! (oh, by the way...nice lookin' ride!)

 

Harley Davidson bikes are as complex as a washing machine. Use the manual, measure twice and you can do what ever work you wish. The dealer is only good for selling you the bike and fixing serious engine failures. If you ever see how the change the oils you will NEVER trust them with your bike.