Wrench it myself? **Update**
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,235
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From: Albuquerque, NM
Wrench it myself? **Update**
I finally picked up the HD Softail maintenance manual and I have to wonder why the hell I waited so long to get it. I had no idea how much detail this thing has, I mean down to the wiring schematics and every nut, bolt, and washer. The instructions are clear and complete.
I have always had the dealer do the scheduled service to avoid any warranty hassles, but it's expired now and I'm at my 10K mark. I think that I'm going to give it a shot myself. I used to wrench on cars a lot so I have just about all the tools I need. I just have to go out and get me a good torque wrench.
Wish me luck.
I have always had the dealer do the scheduled service to avoid any warranty hassles, but it's expired now and I'm at my 10K mark. I think that I'm going to give it a shot myself. I used to wrench on cars a lot so I have just about all the tools I need. I just have to go out and get me a good torque wrench.
Wish me luck.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 644
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RE: Wrench it myself?
Watch out for the Torque spcs they sometimes call for IN LBS not FT LBS so you will need a wrench to read both scales if they make them that way. I had the older style FT LBs wrench and went to sears and bought the IN LB wrench for a cool $75.
The older style are much cheaper but not as accurate.
Good luck with your maintenance. Its easy, just takes a little time and effort but you save a fortune not having to pay Harley scale.
I bought all the lube for cables, steering head, etc at Harley.
The older style are much cheaper but not as accurate.
Good luck with your maintenance. Its easy, just takes a little time and effort but you save a fortune not having to pay Harley scale.
I bought all the lube for cables, steering head, etc at Harley.
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
RE: Wrench it myself?
You won't need any luck, just check the book before you do anything your unfamiliar with.
As they say "it ain't rocket science" and anyone with more than half a brain can do routine maintenance.
That kind of maintenance has more to do with common sense than any serious technical knowledge or skills.
If your interested in pulling the engine out and sticking on a big bore kit, with cams, heads and such. That's another story, and I would suggest that you better have a good friend close by who knows what's up. But for normal day to day stuff, its not all that hard.
Just take your time and do it right the first time. "Do overs" can get messy, and expensive if your not careful.
As they say "it ain't rocket science" and anyone with more than half a brain can do routine maintenance.
That kind of maintenance has more to do with common sense than any serious technical knowledge or skills.
If your interested in pulling the engine out and sticking on a big bore kit, with cams, heads and such. That's another story, and I would suggest that you better have a good friend close by who knows what's up. But for normal day to day stuff, its not all that hard.
Just take your time and do it right the first time. "Do overs" can get messy, and expensive if your not careful.
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,235
Likes: 17
From: Albuquerque, NM
RE: Wrench it myself?
Yeah, I noticed in the manual that everytime it called out for IN LBS it had it in bold. But it's not like HD follows their own specs. When I was taking off the original bolts on my rear struts, I think that they were using the YARD TONS torque wrench. I had to use a breaker bar to get a couple of them off.
Do the Craftsman torque wrenches come with the same lifetime warranty as their other hand tools?
Do the Craftsman torque wrenches come with the same lifetime warranty as their other hand tools?
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 467
Likes: 0
From: VA
RE: Wrench it myself?
A service manual is a necessity. I used mine to remove the tank, oil changes, wiring and to remove the rear wheel. The torque specs are real important pages. Mine has been used so much it's falling apart. Good luck with your projects.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,497
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RE: Wrench it myself?
Do any of you know if there is any place on the web that you can look up certain tech tips. Like if I want to take off my rear wheel can I look that up and print off the directions or do you have to spend the $58.00 for the service manual? Thanks!
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: VA
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May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Rochester, NY
RE: Wrench it myself?
ORIGINAL: Cool Dog
Yeah, I noticed in the manual that everytime it called out for IN LBS it had it in bold. But it's not like HD follows their own specs. When I was taking off the original bolts on my rear struts, I think that they were using the YARD TONS torque wrench. I had to use a breaker bar to get a couple of them off.
Do the Craftsman torque wrenches come with the same lifetime warranty as their other hand tools?
Yeah, I noticed in the manual that everytime it called out for IN LBS it had it in bold. But it's not like HD follows their own specs. When I was taking off the original bolts on my rear struts, I think that they were using the YARD TONS torque wrench. I had to use a breaker bar to get a couple of them off.
Do the Craftsman torque wrenches come with the same lifetime warranty as their other hand tools?
As for the "YARD TONS" thing, they probably had Loc-Tite on them. Your going to find a lot of that in Harley's.
I think someone told me that it had something to with vibration and bolts coming loose. Never did figure out that one.
I mean who ever heard of bolts coming loose just from vibration, its just not possible. Is it?
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 400
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From: The People's Republic of New Jersey
RE: Wrench it myself?
Cool Dog, good luck with your maintenance. I decided to go the same route after checking with the dealer for installation of the "easy clutch" kit and the self adjusting primary chain tensioner. I'm scheduled for my 5,000 mile "check-up" / service and I figured I'd have him do the upgrades while he had the bike and had the primary and tranny drained anyway. He wanted $250 for the scheduled service (plus fluids), plus 2 hours each for the easy clutch and primary chain tensioner at $68.50 / hour. After hearing that, spending the $58 for the manual was a no-brainer so I walked over to the parts counter from the service desk and ordered it on the spot. Like you I'm an old motorhead including building and modifying two wheeled road racers in my misspent youth so I'm not afraid to tackle this myself. Good luck to you, I'm sure you made a wise decision.
OBTW, sharp looking ride you've got there! Ride safe and have fun.
-Randy
OBTW, sharp looking ride you've got there! Ride safe and have fun.
-Randy
