let my indy do it
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 10
From: Oh
Any service done whether by the dealer or an indy is only as good as the mechanic doing it. There are good and bad mechanics with both. Believe it or not there are over 35 check points to be done in the first 1K service and the reason to check them all is because as we all know the factory does miss some things on these bikes and this is the time to find them. My dealer mechanic found a missing cotter pin on my rear brake master cylinder pin during the first service (my first 2 services were free, part of the deal). Confidence in who is doing the work is very important. By the way, I do all my own service work (everything).
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 87,555
From: Western South Dakota
Do you mean the Neck Bearing?
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Daytona Beach
Check your sales contract, I know that in California or at least my dealer, the first 1000 mile service had to be done by them. It was in my contract. It was good that I did go there because they found blemishes in the chrome on both cylinder head covers, replaced both under factory warranty. But yeah trust is a big part of letting someone else working on your scoot. I have a great relationship with my dealer, and have found that taking my bike to indys in my area hasn't saved me enough money to warrant going back to them. Either i have been screwed or someone I know has been screwed by them.. So I pay the little extra, when I can't do it myself, and let my dealer do the work. So far so good.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 709
Likes: 2
From: SO Cal
Yes it is just fill it till it comes out top and bottom. Then take little pieces of rag and clean up the mess. Takes a little time but not hard at all. I do it all myself and get satisfaction that the guy working on it (me) uses a torque wrench on everything.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 902
Likes: 6
From: STL
Bingo- For the money even the indy is charging you can buy a decent craftsman torque wrench and the service manual. The actual 1000 mile service is a cakewalk and spending an hour in the garage checking the torque on every nut and bolt you can reach is a great way to get to know your bike while making sure it is as safe as possible. I have enough to worry about while riding. The last thing I want is to be second guessing whether or not a mechanic took shortcuts in order to make book time on my bike. NOBODY cares about your bike and safety as much as YOU.
"Seeker of Freedom"
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 2
From: Kansas City Area
Hell, I do my own oil change and then, just swing by the dealer for a chat.. While you're there ask them if one of the guys can shoot some grease in the neck. Mine does it for free. Geesh it's like 2 pumps.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 421
From: Lansing mi
My God man, thanks, I had no idea there was a grease fitting in the neck. I was going to pic up the service manual when I went in to buy the derby gasket and oil filter. When I looked at the list and seen lubricate steering head bearings I just assumed I would need to take the front end apart.
That was the only way I could do that on
my last 2 Harley's, they didn't have a grease fitting.
Now I can cancel my 1000 mile service with the indy and do it my self.
Thanks a bunch.
I will keep all receipts, and log in the day and mileage, then check off each procedure on the list.
That was the only way I could do that on
my last 2 Harley's, they didn't have a grease fitting.
Now I can cancel my 1000 mile service with the indy and do it my self.
Thanks a bunch.
I will keep all receipts, and log in the day and mileage, then check off each procedure on the list.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 680
Likes: 0
From: springfield, mo
My dealer throws in the 1k free with the bike. I do have to pay for the syn. if I use it instead ( which I do). I know, nothing is free at the dealer or the moco, but it sounds good, and the bill for just the syn. is nice.