What's your problem?
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 1,541
From: Mid Michigan
I understand the OP wanted to try and motivate some owners to do their own minor repairs etc. But there are some people out there that should never touch a wrench. I've been a tech for almost 30 years, have 3 sons, the oldest (26), isn't allowed to touch my tools. I'll fix it for him, it's cheaper that way. The youngest (17) can do just about anything mechanical. That's just the way it is. If everyone would do it I'd be out of a job. So don't get all butthurt because you can't remember lefty loosey, righty tighty.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 908
Likes: 96
From: Red Deer, AB
Wow. I'm cancelling my cable subscription so I can watch this thread & the RUB one. Myself I have a high paying, high stress day job. Most days I could afford to have someone work on my bike. I do my own wrenching because I can & it helps me to unwind. As an example; Hard to think about anything else when you are hand bombing a tire on or off a rim. Usually one of my lads is in the garage with me so that is an added bonus. To each his own it does not affect my life.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, VA
I feel your pain OP, but there are some posters, like myself that don't have the time anymore. I have changed oil, tires, brakes, clutches, cables, wiring etc when I was single worked near home and had no kids. Now with an Old Lady, 3 kids and a job where I travel I would only have time to wrench and never ride on the weekends. For me it is for convenience, but like others have said...to each his own. I will never spend another man's money for him. Because no one else other than me is spending mine! LOL!
Road Captain
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 692
Likes: 0
From: kentucky
Without people spending money at dealerships in the service depts I doubt very seriously that Harley would make it. They nor indies can pay good quality mechanics to sit on their asses and wait for serious internal engine woes or things of such nature to come along to repair. I like doing my own work when I can but that doenst mean everyone wants to, has time or even can. Thats their business and it doesnt affect me at all.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,549
Likes: 8
From: North Texas
It only takes a few minutes of reading on this forum to see many here are really paying out the nose for service work. Whether it be from an independent or the HD dealer those small maintenance service jobs can be done by most with just a few tools.
To start, buy a service manual ($60 bucks)for your bike. Many things can be done with just a few simple tools, heck just go to sears and buy a starter mechanics tools set or ask for one for fathers day. Your oils can be changed while on the side stand for instance, saving you lots $$$.
Taking off your wheels would require spending money on a lift (not a lift table) but, some good ones can be had for as little as $100. By paying out a little for some tools you will save MUCHO $$$ and maybe just learn something about your bike.
If the thought of doing that maintenance for yourself seems daunting fear not, that's why you come here on the forums and there are plenty here willing to help. So, get out of your comfort zone and let the $$$ savings begin today, take that first step.
To start, buy a service manual ($60 bucks)for your bike. Many things can be done with just a few simple tools, heck just go to sears and buy a starter mechanics tools set or ask for one for fathers day. Your oils can be changed while on the side stand for instance, saving you lots $$$.
Taking off your wheels would require spending money on a lift (not a lift table) but, some good ones can be had for as little as $100. By paying out a little for some tools you will save MUCHO $$$ and maybe just learn something about your bike.
If the thought of doing that maintenance for yourself seems daunting fear not, that's why you come here on the forums and there are plenty here willing to help. So, get out of your comfort zone and let the $$$ savings begin today, take that first step.
But, that's their choice and I don't think any less of them for doing so.
Me, I can handle a wrench just fine, but couldn't macramé to save my life, whereas you, are probably a macramé wizard.
I have a buddy that use to do everything himself including changing tires, cam install, etc. Now he's at the point that he just doesn't want to do it. I have another buddy that likes to do some himself, and pay someone to do other stuff. Myself, I really enjoy working on my bike. A couple weeks ago I installed 11" bars on my ABS bike, and but for this forum I would have never tried it. I did my own 5k service, but I will let the dealer do the 10k. It all boils down to what someone feels like doing, can afford, ability to do it, or time constraints. The OP as stated many times in this thread is just trying to do like Stacy David on Gearz....."Now get out there and work on something!"
Advanced
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Marysville, OH
It only takes a few minutes of reading on this forum to see many here are really paying out the nose for service work. Whether it be from an independent or the HD dealer those small maintenance service jobs can be done by most with just a few tools.
To start, buy a service manual ($60 bucks)for your bike. Many things can be done with just a few simple tools, heck just go to sears and buy a starter mechanics tools set or ask for one for fathers day. Your oils can be changed while on the side stand for instance, saving you lots $$$.
Taking off your wheels would require spending money on a lift (not a lift table) but, some good ones can be had for as little as $100. By paying out a little for some tools you will save MUCHO $$$ and maybe just learn something about your bike.
If the thought of doing that maintenance for yourself seems daunting fear not, that's why you come here on the forums and there are plenty here willing to help. So, get out of your comfort zone and let the $$$ savings begin today, take that first step.
To start, buy a service manual ($60 bucks)for your bike. Many things can be done with just a few simple tools, heck just go to sears and buy a starter mechanics tools set or ask for one for fathers day. Your oils can be changed while on the side stand for instance, saving you lots $$$.
Taking off your wheels would require spending money on a lift (not a lift table) but, some good ones can be had for as little as $100. By paying out a little for some tools you will save MUCHO $$$ and maybe just learn something about your bike.
If the thought of doing that maintenance for yourself seems daunting fear not, that's why you come here on the forums and there are plenty here willing to help. So, get out of your comfort zone and let the $$$ savings begin today, take that first step.
I've read this several times and still cannot find what is so offensive to some of you. It's not like he's bashing anyone or calling anyone out. Maybe there is someone reading this who really didn't know doing they're own work was possible. I've had my EGC for 6 months now, I've changed all three fluids myself (with my manual) and took it to a dealer for an inspection. And had the dealer do a rear tire and pads while they were there. I could have done the brakes myself but why would I want to take the tire off twice. To each their own but I still don't find this very offensive.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 1
From: Topeka, KS
I don't do much of my own stuff but do some. Lots of times I just don't want to f**k with it so have the dealer do it. With job, wife, kids, pets, chores, etc., if I did all my own work I'd never have time to ride.
