Completely speechless
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
I agree with the OP. No one cares more for my bike than I do. I have twelve of them and do all the services. My dealer does have older very experienced staff. But I still will do my own. When I order parts they know not to ask if they will install. I do the fall away once. Then after only if the steering indicates that it needs attention. I grease the head set on the first service and there after. I do have the belt tension gauge.
Dealer does recalls and warranty if any of course. However I have done some on cars as it was faster for me to do it.
I have all the service manuals. I don't just do the critical fasteners, I shake,twist, push, pull and otherwise check anything hanging on the bike. From time to time I find something loose.
I am not good at keeping them shiny or unscratched. I didn't buy them for shiny pretty, I got them to run all over the place.
Dealer does recalls and warranty if any of course. However I have done some on cars as it was faster for me to do it.
I have all the service manuals. I don't just do the critical fasteners, I shake,twist, push, pull and otherwise check anything hanging on the bike. From time to time I find something loose.
I am not good at keeping them shiny or unscratched. I didn't buy them for shiny pretty, I got them to run all over the place.
Last edited by lh4x4; Oct 20, 2013 at 11:50 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 1
From: Redding, CA
I buy service manuals for everything I own. Not because I do all of the work on all of my vehicles, but I want to be able to decide which jobs are over my head, and then be able to intelligently discuss the work that need to be done with my service provider. A shop that will not discuss the service or allow me a look at their service manuals will not get my return business. Those who do will find me a loyal and repeat customer.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 274
Likes: 3
From: Portage, IN
Interesting...Slighty off topic....
I just bought my first Harley about 2 weeks ago (03 RK Classic). The bike has 27000 miles on it and I bought it from a place that is not a Harley dealer so I really did not have the history or mtc. records. I went into my local dealer and talked to the svc manager. I told him the story and he punched in my VIN and found out for me who the dealer was that sold the bike. Then he looked up that dealer's phone number and called them for me. I was worried about the cam tensioners and was just curious to find out if they had ever been touched. Come to find out they were done 9000 miles ago to the upgraded cam plate/tensioners/oil pump and also had inner cam bearings done. They also told him that they did yearly services for the original owner since he bought the bike. Prior to him making the phone call we talked about tensioners and he told me it was not a hard thing to check myself. After I found out about the upgrade he and I discussed chrome fork lowers. He quoted me a price for them to do it and he also told me that if I wanted to remove the fork tubes myself and bring them in, they would swap it all over at a very good price and would also give me all the torque specs to put it back together. IMO that made points in my book for them because he told me they can do the work or support me in doing some or all of the work myself. However they can help me they would. I generally do all my own stuff on my cars and bikes (been turning wrenches for a living since 1986) and with a service manual, the internet and places like this forum, I fieel I can git er done.
I just bought my first Harley about 2 weeks ago (03 RK Classic). The bike has 27000 miles on it and I bought it from a place that is not a Harley dealer so I really did not have the history or mtc. records. I went into my local dealer and talked to the svc manager. I told him the story and he punched in my VIN and found out for me who the dealer was that sold the bike. Then he looked up that dealer's phone number and called them for me. I was worried about the cam tensioners and was just curious to find out if they had ever been touched. Come to find out they were done 9000 miles ago to the upgraded cam plate/tensioners/oil pump and also had inner cam bearings done. They also told him that they did yearly services for the original owner since he bought the bike. Prior to him making the phone call we talked about tensioners and he told me it was not a hard thing to check myself. After I found out about the upgrade he and I discussed chrome fork lowers. He quoted me a price for them to do it and he also told me that if I wanted to remove the fork tubes myself and bring them in, they would swap it all over at a very good price and would also give me all the torque specs to put it back together. IMO that made points in my book for them because he told me they can do the work or support me in doing some or all of the work myself. However they can help me they would. I generally do all my own stuff on my cars and bikes (been turning wrenches for a living since 1986) and with a service manual, the internet and places like this forum, I fieel I can git er done.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
How did you follow a checklist in a manual you had to order?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,498
Likes: 19
From: East Alton, IL
Read it again v-e-r-y slowly. He ordered the SERVICE manual but used the checklist in the OWNER'S manual.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,615
Likes: 31
From: Charlotte Area
But he is still lacking the Digital technician to diagnose the bike and he lacks the Service Bulletins for changes or recalls. There is alot to be said fo rdoing your own work but alot to be said for the dealer doing your work too. I don't have all the tools or that great a place to work on the bike so I take mine in and let the dealer do my service. But that is my choice and others may find it doesn't work for them. I am capable of doing my own services and used to do them on my bike that had over 100k on it. But withall the computer stuff....I want someone that can hook up and analyze stuff then fix it not just swap parts.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 113
Likes: 4
From: Here
I used to be station there (Schofield). I know the shop you are talking about it. Spent three years on the Island. I can count how many times I went into that store on one hand because of their attitudes in there. Couldn't stand them. That store is 3/4 the reason my wife was turned off of HD's "If that's what it means to own an HD, I don't want one"
Last edited by Swany6mm; Oct 21, 2013 at 07:41 AM.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Whoops. My bad. I guess that's what I get for responding when I'm half awake.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,198
Likes: 3,028
From: St.Louis Mo.
first thing i do is buy a service manual for all my stuff. i do all my own work on my bikes and cars, if i need a special tool i'll just go buy it and then i have it for ever. i'm tool crazy, so i enjoy playing with them.