Who does their own services?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,323
Likes: 37
From: NJ
Outside of warenty issues.....As with anything else car, boat bike.....if your a decent wrench, have a service manual, tools and know when to say "I shouldnt really attempt this" when you shouldnt attempt this.....do as much as your abilities will allow you to. Above all even when your doing the wrenching keep good records and any reciepts.
Then tell the dealer to kiss your *** when he tries to snowball you that you didn't bring it to him so he could have made $300.$500 dollars off you. Show him your records, reciepts and have some confidence on what your talking about.
Then tell the dealer to kiss your *** when he tries to snowball you that you didn't bring it to him so he could have made $300.$500 dollars off you. Show him your records, reciepts and have some confidence on what your talking about.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 2
From: scurry, TX
I always did my own wrenching on my cage and it has never seen a mechanic. For some reason I was squeemish about doing the motorcyle. I guess I was afraid a wheel would fall off or something.
I picked up the Fix My Hog CDs and realized, duhhhh. Its normal stuff and easy to do. Its just a comfort level thing.
I picked up the Fix My Hog CDs and realized, duhhhh. Its normal stuff and easy to do. Its just a comfort level thing.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: UK
As Arizona said buy the HD service manual , the parts book too because it shows much better exploded diagrams. In the UK the first service is free, but I always go over it after because from personal experience ( I may have just been unlucky every time ) they do as little as possible. Just remember it's all about the money and the best techs won't be doing basic servicing.
Another thing if you do your own servicing and you have a problem on the road, theres a good chance you may be able to fix it, at least you will know your way around your bike.
Another thing if you do your own servicing and you have a problem on the road, theres a good chance you may be able to fix it, at least you will know your way around your bike.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
That might have been a Freudeon slip, meant to say in the primary and oil tank...
Last edited by army_sarge; Oct 22, 2009 at 02:29 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
Do my own - the only times I've paid I end up getting crappy service. First time I took a bike in for its initial service they scratched the rear fender removing the seat and then denied the whole thing. Took an act of God to get them to fix (to give you an idea of how bad they actually exchanged the fender). Second time I "treated myself" prior to an Alaska trip and took my bike to a local shop (not H-D dealer) my friend recommended. They charged me over $700 (changed rear tire and brake pads) but misaligned the rear wheel resulting in sprocket outer edge wear against the belt guard, primary case leak, and more scratches. Plus the battery they put (Drag Specialties "it's made by the same factory that makes Harley batteries" so they said) failed just a month later. When I took it back (the battery) they told me it load tested fine and they'd need to strip the bike down to fix the alternator. I didn't take their word for it and bought a new battery from the dealer - been running fine ever since. The only reason I took it in was to have them do a front end service and I swear they didn't actually do it.
Last edited by davessworks; Oct 22, 2009 at 02:41 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 827
Likes: 5
From: Ohio
1st service was included with purchase .. after that I've done all my own. I pull the wheels for tire changes but do take them to a indy to mount the tires. I have taken it in for warranty work and have had good luck with my dealer (Adventure HD in Dover Ohio). I still think I have more concern for my bike than anyone at the dealership and I enjoy doing the work and saving the $$
First service was free from my dealer. Bought the manual after that and do my own. The cost for the dealer to do the work is laughable. I just can't afford that.
Anything I've been unsure about usually it's on here.
Anything I've been unsure about usually it's on here.