$$$$$$ well spent
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 13,023
Likes: 989
From: Just Outside Chicago
Why would i spend $60.00 when i have a FREE forum of well knowledge'd (know it all) hard core bikers to answer all my questions
...AND 24/7 at that
!!!! LOL.........
I'm not as dumb as i look,thats why i never post a picture.....
...AND 24/7 at that!!!! LOL.........I'm not as dumb as i look,thats why i never post a picture.....
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 10
From: Oh
I started this thread because of a visit the other day to my dealer. The service mgr and I were talking about all the fall service jobs he had to do. He said," a lot of them are oil changes, brakes and winterizing. Of course I kinda of laughed about not being able to do an oil change and he said, "Dave you would be surprised how many can't change at least their own oil but, I'm not complaining". We talked some more about the basics and ended the conversation but, it got me to thinking about, how did I learn?
Back when, a lot of people including me had Clymers and HD manuals. Or you learned like I did from others and word of mouth. But, you still can't beat an HD service manual to learn how to do it yourself.
I came up with these basics that I thought everyone should at least know how to do.
1. Oil changes (all 3 holes) w/ filter
2. How do you clean or service your air cleaner.
3. How do change and gap plugs.
4. How to remove the front and rear wheel.
5. How to clean and or service brakes. (I realize this may be more in-depth for some)
Yes, a lot of this is in the owners manual. So, maybe I'm stretching about reading a service manual but then, this is your hobby isn't it?
Back when, a lot of people including me had Clymers and HD manuals. Or you learned like I did from others and word of mouth. But, you still can't beat an HD service manual to learn how to do it yourself.
I came up with these basics that I thought everyone should at least know how to do.
1. Oil changes (all 3 holes) w/ filter
2. How do you clean or service your air cleaner.
3. How do change and gap plugs.
4. How to remove the front and rear wheel.
5. How to clean and or service brakes. (I realize this may be more in-depth for some)
Yes, a lot of this is in the owners manual. So, maybe I'm stretching about reading a service manual but then, this is your hobby isn't it?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,051
Likes: 161
From: Between Chicago & Milwaukee
Your point's valid Smokin' Dave
Just like dogs....motorcycles are man's best friend.Even if you have a busy life you wouldn't pay someone else to feed and give attention to your dog.Working on your bike's part of the bond between man & machine.
Just like dogs....motorcycles are man's best friend.Even if you have a busy life you wouldn't pay someone else to feed and give attention to your dog.Working on your bike's part of the bond between man & machine.
Last edited by Slash; Nov 8, 2010 at 01:22 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 4
From: Fennario
So, you gonna 'splain how to get the gigabyte iPod playin' thru the stereo, or I gotta use the search feature?
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 795
Likes: 1
From: Richmond, VA
I may be a mechanic by trade but that doesnt mean i know all things mechanical. i bought the Clymers and the HD manual. When im at club meetings and everybody asks how much i paid to switch out my gauges, i just chuckle a bit and tell them "it was free for me cause im really close to the guy that does them" Most in my club could probably be my mom or dad, so it amazes them that they are paying for services i do at my house and ive only been riding 2-3 years.
I also read the manual to decide if im going to take on a project or pass it on to a Motorcycle Mechanic before i start taking things off.
Those manuals are worth its weight in gold. Now if I could only get every page laminated so i can quit getting them dirty. lol
I also read the manual to decide if im going to take on a project or pass it on to a Motorcycle Mechanic before i start taking things off.
Those manuals are worth its weight in gold. Now if I could only get every page laminated so i can quit getting them dirty. lol
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 4
From: Fennario
I may be a mechanic by trade but that doesnt mean i know all things mechanical. i bought the Clymers and the HD manual. When im at club meetings and everybody asks how much i paid to switch out my gauges, i just chuckle a bit and tell them "it was free for me cause im really close to the guy that does them" Most in my club could probably be my mom or dad, so it amazes them that they are paying for services i do at my house and ive only been riding 2-3 years.
I also read the manual to decide if im going to take on a project or pass it on to a Motorcycle Mechanic before i start taking things off.
Those manuals are worth its weight in gold. Now if I could only get every page laminated so i can quit getting them dirty. lol
I also read the manual to decide if im going to take on a project or pass it on to a Motorcycle Mechanic before i start taking things off.
Those manuals are worth its weight in gold. Now if I could only get every page laminated so i can quit getting them dirty. lol
I'd like to see the MoCo sell it on a DVD so that I could just print out procedures as needed.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,051
Likes: 161
From: Between Chicago & Milwaukee
As far as the service manual in a format other than a book
I've got the Harley Davidson one for my bike in a PDF file on my computer,easy to print any page I need,might even throw a copy on my phone just for the hell of it,never know when it might come in handy.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: McKinney, TX
That $60 is an OUCH. . . .for some of us that's a nice set of grips or hell, a pair of discounted winter gloves. . .besides, if I rip into it and can't get my way out, I just go to the shop and look at theirs ! LOL
It'd be nice if *cough* one of the sponsors *cough* would do a group buy.
Say, 50 copies at $39.99 ?
It'd be nice if *cough* one of the sponsors *cough* would do a group buy.
Say, 50 copies at $39.99 ?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 4
From: Fennario
I'm still workin' on it..... lol
As far as the service manual in a format other than a book
I've got the Harley Davidson one for my bike in a PDF file on my computer,easy to print any page I need,might even throw a copy on my phone just for the hell of it,never know when it might come in handy.
As far as the service manual in a format other than a book
I've got the Harley Davidson one for my bike in a PDF file on my computer,easy to print any page I need,might even throw a copy on my phone just for the hell of it,never know when it might come in handy.
That would be ****, as I have access to printing on never-tear paper...