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What's the cost of a 1,000, 5,000, 10,000 mile service? $250 & up for each or $750 total? It costs me $50 to do a service or $150 for all 3. That's a savings of $600 which would cover almost anything that would go bad. As an example a SE compensator is $250 + a couple hours labor or about $400. I still saved $200 if a dealer said I voided my warranty by using ATF in my primary or didn't have them do the services. If a dealer told me that they'd never get my business again.
I asked the guy who does work on my bike about that stuff. I am going to need my 1000 mile service soon and asked him if i should take it to harley for the first service for warranty purposes. He used to work for harley as a mechaninc and now owns his own shop--he said absolutely not--dont let them tell you that it voids warranties if you dont take it to them for services--he said its all BS, just document mileage, vin and the service and use Harley oil if you really wanna be safe. There is nothing that says you cant do your own oil changes and service yourself, biggest thing is to DOCUMENT everything.
Refer to table 37. Regular maintenance interval operations are required to to keep your new motorcycle warranty in force.
Table 37. Regular Service Intervals: Touring models
Notes: 1.SHOULD be performed by an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer, UNLESS you have the proper tools, service data and are mecahnincally qualified.
It DOES NOT say it HAS to be done at the dealer, what it doesnt say is that if you do your own maintenance you better keep recipits for supply purchases and document dates, mileage and a copy of table 37 showing that you performed each of the items at the service intervals. Follow that and you'll never have a problem if something went to court.
Fail to produce documentation, recipits and a check list and you WILL loose in court, seen it happen!
Tell your buddy to go ahead and do his engine upgrades with big bore kit, cams, heads, etc and then he doesn't have to give a rat's a-- about the warranty since it will be voided anyway.
Kind of confused here, I own a 09 ultra and have never gotten any recall or safety notice from Harley for anything except the Tank Issue. If anyone has any other notices could they point me to a place to find these.
I have a HD certified technician with his own shop here and he tells me that as long as you have the paperwork with the certified shop info and your vin number on it, that it doesn't matter WHO does it. Am I right? Sounds like that dealer wants to make some green.
Not even a "certified shop" required. As Hog Doc pointed out, keep detailed receipts and records of what YOU did and you will be fine.
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