5000 mile service... really??
#51
06-05-2015, 11:14 AM
Club Member
I do want to learn to do the maintenance on my RK, but I'm not mechanically inclined, which brings me to questions like:
Same question for lift - what do I need and sources?
Then, where do you store the lift? My garage is set up as a professional wood shop (most of the equipment is on wheels), it was PITA to make room for the bike alone in a garage that has a 5 HP dust collector, jointer/planer, 2 bandsaws, drill press, table saw, two workbenches, two tool cabinets, 2000 board feet of wood, etc... in a 17'x19' space.
?
Same question for lift - what do I need and sources?
Then, where do you store the lift? My garage is set up as a professional wood shop (most of the equipment is on wheels), it was PITA to make room for the bike alone in a garage that has a 5 HP dust collector, jointer/planer, 2 bandsaws, drill press, table saw, two workbenches, two tool cabinets, 2000 board feet of wood, etc... in a 17'x19' space.
?
I have no doubt that if you are clever enough to fit all that equipment in that space plus a bike you will find doing the service on your bike easy.
First tool you need is the manual, The 3 oil drain plugs take a 5/8" socket, I prefer 6 pt. The plugs get torqued to 14-21 ft lbs. Torque wrenches can be found for a good price at Sears, Lowes, auto parts store ect. Many Auto parts store offer oil recycling. I use a strap wrench with a 3/8" ratchet and extension to take off the OEM filter then replace it with a KN that you can tighten up with a socket. Like your wood working, good tools make the job easier but you don't have to buy snapon or other high end tools. A lift or a floor jack makes it easier but like others have said you can do it without.
Hope this helps
Good Luck
#52
06-05-2015, 01:31 PM
I do want to learn to do the maintenance on my RK, but I'm not mechanically inclined, which brings me to questions like:
I get the HD, oil pan that drains all 3 into one pan. Then what do you do with it? This question is from how not to spill it all over the garage floor to where do you take it to dispose of it and in what kind of container.
Torque wrenches: I don't have access to a Snap-On truck dealer, what do I need (size/brand) and where do I get them? The rest of my mechanical tools are a cheap set of Husky wrenches/sockets that I got as a gift from a friend.
Same question for lift - what do I need and sources?
Then, where do you store the lift? My garage is set up as a professional wood shop (most of the equipment is on wheels), it was PITA to make room for the bike alone in a garage that has a 5 HP dust collector, jointer/planer, 2 bandsaws, drill press, table saw, two workbenches, two tool cabinets, 2000 board feet of wood, etc... in a 17'x19' space.
Honestly, if maintenance requires a lift, I don't see it being feasible. Can I do fluids without a lift?
I get the HD, oil pan that drains all 3 into one pan. Then what do you do with it? This question is from how not to spill it all over the garage floor to where do you take it to dispose of it and in what kind of container.
Torque wrenches: I don't have access to a Snap-On truck dealer, what do I need (size/brand) and where do I get them? The rest of my mechanical tools are a cheap set of Husky wrenches/sockets that I got as a gift from a friend.
Same question for lift - what do I need and sources?
Then, where do you store the lift? My garage is set up as a professional wood shop (most of the equipment is on wheels), it was PITA to make room for the bike alone in a garage that has a 5 HP dust collector, jointer/planer, 2 bandsaws, drill press, table saw, two workbenches, two tool cabinets, 2000 board feet of wood, etc... in a 17'x19' space.
Honestly, if maintenance requires a lift, I don't see it being feasible. Can I do fluids without a lift?
I got my torque wrenches (1/4" and 1/2" drive) at a local parts place called Surplus City... they are nice (I'm sure you could find a nice set online). Lowes has them.
I keep a 5 gallon plastic (drywall) bucket with lid for used oil. The local trash depository/recycling center also takes used motor oil.
#53
06-06-2015, 09:39 PM
#54
06-06-2015, 09:45 PM
#55
06-07-2015, 08:26 AM
Road Warrior
Beat me to it. It's $550 down here for that service. The dealer gave me free services thru 10,000 miles to get me to trade up to my '14 last year, so I'll use it until I exceed the mileage which will be soon.
Like Safety Man stated, it's usually the most inexperienced tech that does the services. But my last service one of the master technicians was on my bike. He overfilled the oil, didn't torque several of the fasteners (or any as far as I could tell) and didn't update my infotainment to the lasted software update that I had requested. So even the master technicians can suck at their job too.....
Always check their work before riding off!
#56
06-07-2015, 08:50 AM
I wouldn't mind paying for the dealer service if it was a little more specific. "Check critical fasteners"... How about a list of those fasteners, and the mechanic's initials in a box next to each one? The type and quantity of fluids added, and again.... initials.
Instead you get a bill, and see you in 5000 miles. And the knowledge that the guy that did the work had a financial incentive to get it done quickly, rather than correctly.
Instead you get a bill, and see you in 5000 miles. And the knowledge that the guy that did the work had a financial incentive to get it done quickly, rather than correctly.
#57
06-07-2015, 10:13 AM
#58
06-15-2015, 03:26 PM
Well I did the oil change myself on Saturday. Took me longer to get the filter at the dealer. 3 qts of Mobil 1 synthetic vtwin 20w50 and an HD chrome filter. $45 total. Had I not read the manual, it would have taken 15 minutes. Man is it easy... the oil drain plug actually works better on the jiffy stand (it's on that side).
Checked the trans lube and it looks like new... brake fluid looks good in both site glasses, and I check my air suspension regularly. Changing the bars this week, so I figure I'll be "checking" the critical fasteners then.
I always check the drive belt tension/alignment by sight and feel when I wash it - it's easier to take the saddlebags off when washing anyway.
Checked the trans lube and it looks like new... brake fluid looks good in both site glasses, and I check my air suspension regularly. Changing the bars this week, so I figure I'll be "checking" the critical fasteners then.
I always check the drive belt tension/alignment by sight and feel when I wash it - it's easier to take the saddlebags off when washing anyway.
#59
06-15-2015, 04:03 PM
I wouldn't mind paying for the dealer service if it was a little more specific. "Check critical fasteners"... How about a list of those fasteners, and the mechanic's initials in a box next to each one? The type and quantity of fluids added, and again.... initials.
Instead you get a bill, and see you in 5000 miles. And the knowledge that the guy that did the work had a financial incentive to get it done quickly, rather than correctly.
Instead you get a bill, and see you in 5000 miles. And the knowledge that the guy that did the work had a financial incentive to get it done quickly, rather than correctly.
Nor a fully naked one.
I hate the thought of a dirty rag, sponge or whatever grinding sand into my paint.
#60
06-16-2015, 04:57 AM
Club Member