I paid $250 for my 1000 mi. maintenance at the local H-D dealr. Used Syn3 oil. A thousand miles later my top motor mount bolts came lose. I think all they did was change the oil and oil filter and take for a test ride. I won't go back there. A local mechanic said he would do by the book and charge $100 less. He's a lot more friendlier then the "techs" at the H-D Dealer and smarter too.

 

i just cant see paying that much for a 1000 mile check up thats more than my bike payment plus insurance

 

I do all my own work with a fully equiped workshop as in total rebuilds and restoration except machining, cylinder boring and the likes. I encourage people to do their own work only If thay are capable and understand what is involved, being there is more involved than changing oils. You need to learn procedures and be able to diagnose and adderss problem areas. If the incentive is cost alone than it is better to leave it to others as it will cost in the long run. Another way is to find someone who will moniter your work until becoming more efficient, I have people who come to me and do their own service. Good way to spend a few hours with mates.

 

wow this was a old post but for what i spend at the stealer i could buy a manul, belt tension gage, and a toque wrench, plus all the fluids I have the background but lost all my tools in a fire 6 yrs ago have a good set of hand tools just need to get the special ones.

 

I'd say there are no warantee issues with performing your own service, any of them. If you are a competant mechanic, and have all the tolls neccesary, you can do your own work.

I would however recomend that you document everything. Date, mileage, services performed, materials used.
Then if you do have a warrantee issue come up, and the dealer or Harley wants to blame it on you phor not having your services performed, you can wipe out your handy dandy documented services. Receipts are also really great in a case such as that as well.

 

Unless I missed it, no one really gave you a full answer to your question!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, you can do all your own service on your bikeBut, you need to save the receipts on all the "stuff" you use and log everything in the back of your owners manual.
If you have a warranty claim, the first thing you will be asked is to prove you've done everything that's asked for at the correct intervals.

 

My dealer takes the bikes behind closed doors to to service so the customer does not see it is a 10-20 minute job yet they charge 2.5 hours labor.

I just had my 1000 mile service yesterday at the local dealer and it was a waste of time. I've always serviced my bikes myself and will not be doing indy of dealer service ever again.

 

YEA I was at the local drive in on bike night there was a young man that was talken about his job at a stealer he was fresh out of some motorcycle tech school i ask him what he dose he said mostly oil chages and 1000 mile servs. iask him whats been his best day so far he said hes flaged 14.5 houres in one 8 hour day .that when i decided that no body but me or my brother will touch my scoot .

 

The dealers for the most part do the bare minimum on these services when they can get away with it. What it comes down to for most is $$$ and profit. Get a manual and do it yourself and know it is done properly then.

You can go to the wrenching department on the HD site and get a printout of what is done on the services or you can go here and print one out for all models... http://www.myrtlebeachharley.com/service.asp

 

thanks TC with the $ i save ill buy the special tools ect i need .