I have no experience. I'm a new biker (since last summer) and have an 05 Softail Springer and now want to start doing some upgrades with it.

First I want to put new grips, but I'm a bit intimidated about screwing with the throttle cables. I want to eventually put a heavy breather on it as well.

If I purchased the service manual, would that educate me well enough to begin to do some of these small projects?

With that being said, I see service manuals on ebay for $45 (+$8 shipping). Seems the dealer wants $60 for them. Are there other places to purchase a manual, even used?

Thanks and stay safe.

 

Can't remember where on the internet I found it, but I got the Clymer manual for my bike, $45.00 + shipping....

Covers anything I'd be willing to tackle and then a whole lot more.....

 

IMO you'll need the manual and a decent quality set of tools including 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 torque wrenches. If you don't get all three, 3/8 is prolly the most useful so start with it. Take your time and you'll do well!

 

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Get the service manual. It will most likely tell you how to do everything you will want to do. It isn't highly technical or anything like that. You should have no trouble understanding the directions, and that's what you will see a lot of in there. Unscrew this which is located here, loosen that, remove this, gently pull on this. Those type of instructions, and there are pictures! Get the manual.

 

If I were you I would get the HD manual, I find them a lot better than the Clymer one. But thats just my opinion. You should have no problem doing some of this work yourself and will find it rewarding when you say I did it myself. If you have a problem doing something just post a question on here, there is a lot of people who will be willing to help.

 

I'd pay the extra maney and get the manual at the H-D shop. I'd go to the service counter to pay for it. Tell the service guys what your up to and what your interests are. If they're decent-service-guy-types they'll offer a little advice and a few tricks-o-the-trade.
If the guys at the H-D shop are Not helpful, then change your mind about buying the manual, head back to ebay and jump on the forum.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to go down to the dealer tomorrow and get some new grips and the manual and start from there. I like these new grips Harley has come out with.

 

I am absolutely NOT a mechanic but I bought the HD service manual. It is more technical than I will ever need but it covers basics as well. I changed my grips using you-tube videos. There are many easy to follow videos. Start with an easy project and gain some confidence. Ya gotta start somewhere.

 

Agree with all the above. Start small, turning some wrenches, changing stuff around. You will learn where your limitations are, but these small projects are a good start. As one of the smarter members on here said to me when I wanted to change out my pipes, breather, and install a fuel management system, "It ain't freakin' rocket surgery."

Good luck and feel free to ask anyone on these forums for help. Most of us are very helpful.