20k maintenance suggestions
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Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Middlebury IN
20k maintenance suggestions
I bought my 98 heritage last summer it has around 20k ish on it and i want to do some preventative maintenance on it this winter. any suggestions? Also anybody know any good fix for saggy saddle bags?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Union,Ms
Hook it up to a battery tender to keep your battery charged up.The only fix for saggy saddle bags is replacement.
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Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Middlebury IN
i have it on a tender put stabil in the fuel. im wondering if i should do wheel bearings steering nuckle bearing stuff like that. im planning a long trip this summer i wana make sure i do everything i can to make it a problem free trip.
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From: Union,Ms
Jack it up and see if you feel any slack in front and rear wheel.If you do,replace bearings.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,212
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From: DFW Metroplex
Huh?
That's not true. There are several solutions to fix and restore saggy bags. You will not have to replace them. Just do a search on saggy bags and you'll find several solutions many here have used, quite successfully.
That's not true. There are several solutions to fix and restore saggy bags. You will not have to replace them. Just do a search on saggy bags and you'll find several solutions many here have used, quite successfully.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
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From: Utah
The 20k maintenance is spelled out in the Shop Manual. I would suggest you get a complete set for your bike, whatever is available (shop, electrical, parts). That is the best purchase you can make, hands down.
If you're having a dealer do it, it isn't cheap. If you have any skills with tools, you can do much of it and have the rest done by someone more knowledgeable if you aren't comfortable with the entire range of choices.
I would have the cam chain tensioners looked at (by you or a trained mech). This isn't listed in the manual. The other stuff is standard and does serve the purpose of having someone with a lot of experience with this year bike look it over while doing the maintenance. A lot of the guys working on Harleys these days are too young to have much experience with a '97. The quys with a lot of experience seem to have gone into some other field or opened their own shops... in my vicinity anyway.
You could also have your laced wheels trued if they don't seem to be (watch the tread on the front one while riding, the back one while jacked up an running).
C#
If you're having a dealer do it, it isn't cheap. If you have any skills with tools, you can do much of it and have the rest done by someone more knowledgeable if you aren't comfortable with the entire range of choices.
I would have the cam chain tensioners looked at (by you or a trained mech). This isn't listed in the manual. The other stuff is standard and does serve the purpose of having someone with a lot of experience with this year bike look it over while doing the maintenance. A lot of the guys working on Harleys these days are too young to have much experience with a '97. The quys with a lot of experience seem to have gone into some other field or opened their own shops... in my vicinity anyway.
You could also have your laced wheels trued if they don't seem to be (watch the tread on the front one while riding, the back one while jacked up an running).
C#
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From: Middlebury IN
Thanks for all the advice! This forum is awesome! I am planning on doing the work myself. Shop manual like a Cylmer or something different? Haven't bought anything yet i am planning on doing so this week. Im not a pro mechanic or anything but it am confident enough that if i have a step by step book like cylmer and take my time ill be fine. Also planning on polishing my front forks. any advice on this? i have read a few things in the forum.
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From: Middlebury IN
One other thing. I sometimes hear kinda like a chirp from what seems like the front end. any ideas
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,210
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From: Westchester, NY
Get the Harley Service manuals. Service, Electrical and Parts.
Clymer tends to be generic sometimes.
Also, Polishing the forks is probably more work than just replacing them with Chrome ones and it will look alot nicer chromed.
Mike
NY
Clymer tends to be generic sometimes.
Also, Polishing the forks is probably more work than just replacing them with Chrome ones and it will look alot nicer chromed.
Mike
NY
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,337
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From: Sunny South Florida
The PM on these bikes is rather simple in most cases. The only real addition to standard remove and replace of fluids for the 20K is the drain and replace the fork oil. Nasty stinky job but it makes a big difference. If you ride two up, I suggest changing to Screaming Eagle Heavy fork oil. It helps quite a bit.
For the bags, a quick search will find many solutions. I used the kit form gotsaggybags.com and LOVE IT. Easy install and what a difference. Hands down the best hundred or so bucks that I have spent.
Oh and I second (or third) the GET THE Harley Service Manuals. The others just don't do it all right. Other than that, stay on this forum and you will spend a lot of money on upgrades but you will LOVE the results.
For the bags, a quick search will find many solutions. I used the kit form gotsaggybags.com and LOVE IT. Easy install and what a difference. Hands down the best hundred or so bucks that I have spent.
Oh and I second (or third) the GET THE Harley Service Manuals. The others just don't do it all right. Other than that, stay on this forum and you will spend a lot of money on upgrades but you will LOVE the results.