Preventative Maintenance
Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 4
Likes: 2
From: Lansing, MI
Preventative Maintenance
Hi guys,
Not too long ago, I got a great deal on a 2000 Road King Classic with 38k miles. It has no documentation - original owner was deceased, son couldn't find any information on it (part of the reason I got a good price). It looks very well maintained, but I'm planning on riding to DC for Rolling Thunder and want to make sure everything is in order. This is my first twin cam, and first touring bike.
I changed the oil (looked clean) and put a fresh battery in it. It runs and rides great. Visually, everything is in order (fork seals, tires, suspension, etc.) and I don't see any leaks. I was planning on doing the 40k service and checking the cam chain tensioner (switching to hydraulic if not done already). Anything else I should address or keep an eye out for?
Thanks in advance.
Not too long ago, I got a great deal on a 2000 Road King Classic with 38k miles. It has no documentation - original owner was deceased, son couldn't find any information on it (part of the reason I got a good price). It looks very well maintained, but I'm planning on riding to DC for Rolling Thunder and want to make sure everything is in order. This is my first twin cam, and first touring bike.
I changed the oil (looked clean) and put a fresh battery in it. It runs and rides great. Visually, everything is in order (fork seals, tires, suspension, etc.) and I don't see any leaks. I was planning on doing the 40k service and checking the cam chain tensioner (switching to hydraulic if not done already). Anything else I should address or keep an eye out for?
Thanks in advance.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 9,861
Likes: 8,785
From: Edmonton, Alberta
Not knowing when they'd last been replaced, I'd be checking for date codes on the tires. There will be a four-digit number on the sidewall, with the first two numbers being the week and the last two numbers being the year of production.
Any more than six years old and I'd be replacing them, even if they "looked" good and had tread left.
Any more than six years old and I'd be replacing them, even if they "looked" good and had tread left.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 2,900
From: Oklahoma
You don't mention anything about brake pads. At that mileage they might be relatively new or on their last few miles before replacement. There is cleaning that should be done to the caliper pistons if you replace the pads, especially on the pre-Brembo calipers. It should be covered in the brake section in here. With a big trip soon, it wouldn't hurt to have a shop check it over, especially if this is your first Harley.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,210
Likes: 11,335
From: San Diego, CA
If it's too old to get the owner's manual online at the HD owner's web site, look to eBay... the owner's manual will give a service schedule per mileage
It would be good to get the HD service manual too, if you are going to do your own work... The HD manuals are light years better than the "Chiltons", "Haynes", or other generic brand manuals...
You are probably due for greasing the neck bearings and checking the fall away (neck bearing adjustment)..... mileage for these maintenance items varies per year
It would be good to get the HD service manual too, if you are going to do your own work... The HD manuals are light years better than the "Chiltons", "Haynes", or other generic brand manuals...
You are probably due for greasing the neck bearings and checking the fall away (neck bearing adjustment)..... mileage for these maintenance items varies per year
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,494
From: Decatur, Alabama
As mentioned above, service your brakes. Simply taking them apart and cleaning them makes a world of difference.
Other things.
1. Final drive belt tension
2. Tire pressure
3. shock pressure (if you have air shocks
4. brake fluid level
5. primary chain tension and fluid change
6. transmission oil change
7. plug change
8. air filter service or change
9. grease rear brake, shift linkage, neck bearing linkage (if you have zerks).
10. clutch adjustment
11. lastly, go over the whole bike and check the tightness of all fasteners. You might be shocked at what you find. Doesn't take all that long.
Carl
Other things.
1. Final drive belt tension
2. Tire pressure
3. shock pressure (if you have air shocks
4. brake fluid level
5. primary chain tension and fluid change
6. transmission oil change
7. plug change
8. air filter service or change
9. grease rear brake, shift linkage, neck bearing linkage (if you have zerks).
10. clutch adjustment
11. lastly, go over the whole bike and check the tightness of all fasteners. You might be shocked at what you find. Doesn't take all that long.
Carl
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,569
Likes: 57,123
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 4
Likes: 2
From: Lansing, MI
Not knowing when they'd last been replaced, I'd be checking for date codes on the tires. There will be a four-digit number on the sidewall, with the first two numbers being the week and the last two numbers being the year of production.
Any more than six years old and I'd be replacing them, even if they "looked" good and had tread left.
Any more than six years old and I'd be replacing them, even if they "looked" good and had tread left.
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Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 4
Likes: 2
From: Lansing, MI
Thank you for all the information! Lots of good stuff to take care of. I checked the pads and they seem like they have a decent amount of meat left on them. I might change them anyways since I'll have the wheels off for tires.
Last edited by paul310; Mar 20, 2019 at 10:47 AM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,232
Likes: 3,054
From: St.Louis Mo.
If it has the stock head pipe on it i would check and make sure it isn't cracking where the rear pipe goes into the front pipe down by the transmission. Another thing to look for is make sure the swingarm isn't cracking on the left side at the axle. Common problems on the earlier touring bikes.
