Tune Up - What should I replace?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Aug 18, 2014 | 11:41 PM

PumpinIron

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Sep 2012

Posts: 230

Likes: 8

From: Salem, OR

Tune Up - What should I replace?

Just bought myself my first Harley. It's a 2008 XL1200N Nightster.

I'm coming from 15 years of riding sport bikes (i.e. Ducati and Aprilia mostly) and so far I love the Harley. Totally different bike but it's nice to ride in a comfortable position for once!

Anyways, the bike has 15k miles on it and while it runs awesome and starts right up I feel like it should have a tune up since the previous owner said it sat for a year.

So, things I am thinking I should replace so far...

- Oil
- Oil Filter
- Spark Plugs
- Tires (it needs new ones)

Anything else you guys would replace on a bike with this mileage that's been sitting for a while?

I've ridden it quite a bit and it rides great but I'd rather be safe than sorry!

Aug 18, 2014 | 11:46 PM

Soliton

Intermediate

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 42

Likes: 1

From: Jackson, NJ

Congrats on the new ride. Inspect and clean/replace the air filter. Check on the condition of the brake pads and brake fluid. Check/adjust the tension on the drive belt. Check/adjust the tension on the primary chain.
If you consider yourself a hands on owner, I recommend getting the service manual and going through the needed checks for the age/mileage.

Aug 18, 2014 | 11:50 PM

PumpinIron

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Sep 2012

Posts: 230

Likes: 8

From: Salem, OR

Yes, I'm very hands on with all the bikes I've owned.

This is just new territory since I'm used to owning sport bikes with have a ton of other things to deal with (i.e. cooling systems, chains, etc.)

Owners manual it is! Any recommendations on where to get them?

Aug 19, 2014 | 04:08 AM

grbrown

Club Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 45,429

Likes: 2,898

From: Bedford UK

Welcome to the world of Harleys! There is a distinction between the Owners manual and the Service manual, which are very different things. You may be able to download the Owners manual for free from the H-D website, by going to the Owners tab. The Service manual is a mighty tome and available from your local friendly Harley dealer, full of everything you need to do your own servicing (along with any help you want from in here!).

Aug 19, 2014 | 07:33 AM

bigmant

Tourer

Joined: Feb 2014

Posts: 431

Likes: 3

From: Virginia

Go to the dealership and get the actual manual. That's the one thing you don't want to skimp on. The harley books are year and mod specific whereas the knockoffs try to cover a bunch of years. They'll run about $60

Aug 19, 2014 | 08:01 AM

cvaria

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2012

Posts: 12,367

Likes: 2,215

From: Tallahassee, Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by PumpinIron

Id also replace:

*the spark wires
*the brakepads
*The brake fluid
*The fluid in the primary. (No telling whats in there. The person that you got it from may know.) could be harley synthetic oil or trans fluid or something else.

I'd also:
*Check the drive belt for cracks.
*Check the primary chain.

If you go to the HD website and register your bike, you'll get access to some basic service information that may help until you get your mitts on a service manual.

Aug 19, 2014 | 09:21 AM

PumpinIron

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Sep 2012

Posts: 230

Likes: 8

From: Salem, OR

Thanks for all the help guys! I am going to the dealer today to get a service manual. Once I get that I am going to start with the tune up and give the bike everything it needs to bring it up to date.

I absolutely love the simplicity of this air cooled motor. It's almost completely free of wiring and all the other BS that other motors have on them. Makes working on things so much easier!