Routine Maintenance
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Plano, TX
Routine Maintenance
Ok up until a couple months ago I had a Honda, I never had to do anything but change the oil on it as far as maintenance goes. From some of the posts I see, a lot of people have the routine maintenance done at the dealer for their bikes. Since I bought mine out of warranty, I don't ever expect to take it to them for anything except maybe tire changes. For those of you out there that do your own work, what kinds of regular maintenance you do to your bikes to keep them road-worthy and as reliable as possible. I want to get started early on keeping mine in good shape. I'll update this post with everything that people put on there so it can be of use later. Thanks!
oh yeah, please include mileage interval.
oh yeah, please include mileage interval.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
The factory service manual has the schedules for service and the procedures.
We like to say it'll pay for itself the first time you open it
Honda: never changed the fork oil? or lubed the bearings?
Some Guys work on their bikes, some Guys go to the dealer or Indy for everything- some guys attempt stuff on their bikes they would never do on the family mini van.
I am still mystified by people who line up for hours at Sturgis to get a routine oil change--- like do it before you go and when you get back if you can't do it yourself.
or maybe they like meeting people in lines.
Mike
We like to say it'll pay for itself the first time you open it
Honda: never changed the fork oil? or lubed the bearings?
Some Guys work on their bikes, some Guys go to the dealer or Indy for everything- some guys attempt stuff on their bikes they would never do on the family mini van.
I am still mystified by people who line up for hours at Sturgis to get a routine oil change--- like do it before you go and when you get back if you can't do it yourself.
or maybe they like meeting people in lines.
Mike
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 697
Likes: 42
From: Magnolia, DE
Beginning of each season
Inspect your air filter and replace as necessary.
Check tire tread and air pressure (and also throughout the season as well)
Check clutch cable adjustment and adjust as necessary
End of each season
Change the primary, crankcase and tranny fluids.
Wash bike well and wax and polish all paint and chrome
Main thing - Make sure that you ride your bike often!!!!
Inspect your air filter and replace as necessary.
Check tire tread and air pressure (and also throughout the season as well)
Check clutch cable adjustment and adjust as necessary
End of each season
Change the primary, crankcase and tranny fluids.
Wash bike well and wax and polish all paint and chrome
Main thing - Make sure that you ride your bike often!!!!
MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,108
Likes: 1,964
From: New England
No disrespect intended but if you never did anything beyond an oil change, you most likely neglected your Honda.
Do a bit of a search here and the internet and you'll probably find a schedule for your machine.
If not, visit a local dealer and ask them to print you a copy of the schedule...most will do this without problem.
Good luck!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,145
Likes: 6,168
From: SE Michigan
If you create an account and register your bike at the Owners section on http://www.harley-davidson.com, then go to the Maintenance section, you can actually view the whole service manual on line (just discovered this!)
[edit - its the OWNERS manual, not the service manual
but it still has the maintenance schedule there as well as a maintenance and lubrication section which tells you how to do most of it]
In the owners manual there's a section called "Maintenance Scheduling" which goes over whats done at every service interval. (its the last section, at least for the 2012 models, not sure where it is on the 2007 models, I presume its the same.)
[edit - its the OWNERS manual, not the service manual
but it still has the maintenance schedule there as well as a maintenance and lubrication section which tells you how to do most of it]
In the owners manual there's a section called "Maintenance Scheduling" which goes over whats done at every service interval. (its the last section, at least for the 2012 models, not sure where it is on the 2007 models, I presume its the same.)
Last edited by Keithhu; Dec 5, 2011 at 02:30 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,101
Likes: 1,013
If you create an account and register your bike at the Owners section on http://www.harley-davidson.com, then go to the Maintenance section, you can actually view the whole service manual on line (just discovered this!)
In the service manual there's a section called "Maintenance Scheduling" which goes over whats done at every service interval. (its the last section, at least for the 2012 models, not sure where it is on the 2007 models, I presume its the same.)
In the service manual there's a section called "Maintenance Scheduling" which goes over whats done at every service interval. (its the last section, at least for the 2012 models, not sure where it is on the 2007 models, I presume its the same.)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,145
Likes: 6,168
From: SE Michigan
Just make sure you re-read my edited post - its the OWNERS manual ( 
), but the service intervals and the maintenance section is helpful in this case.
), but the service intervals and the maintenance section is helpful in this case.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 11
From: Grottoes Va.
Like said before, get yourself the service manual for your bike. Even if you decide that doing everything listed ain't for you, the first time you need to use it, you'll be damn glad you got it.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 545
Likes: 5
From: California
+1 on the service manual.
I do my own maintanance. I like to tinker on my bike. The service manual, and this site, will get you most of what you will need to know.
SEDOUGLAS, what bike do you have? Tell us about it. Post it in your signature for all to see.
I do my own maintanance. I like to tinker on my bike. The service manual, and this site, will get you most of what you will need to know.
SEDOUGLAS, what bike do you have? Tell us about it. Post it in your signature for all to see.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,801
Likes: 13
Beginning of each season
Inspect your air filter and replace as necessary.
Check tire tread and air pressure (and also throughout the season as well)
Check clutch cable adjustment and adjust as necessary
End of each season
Change the primary, crankcase and tranny fluids.
Wash bike well and wax and polish all paint and chrome
Main thing - Make sure that you ride your bike often!!!!
Inspect your air filter and replace as necessary.
Check tire tread and air pressure (and also throughout the season as well)
Check clutch cable adjustment and adjust as necessary
End of each season
Change the primary, crankcase and tranny fluids.
Wash bike well and wax and polish all paint and chrome
Main thing - Make sure that you ride your bike often!!!!